Mozambique will host the 13th InterRegional Festival in 2011!

This year’s Music Crossroads InterRegional festival brought together some of the best up-and-coming young musicians in Southern Africa, representing Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as special guest bands from around the world. The festival was held for the third time in Tanzania from 16th to 18th July, celebrating 10 years of Music Crossroads in this country. As always, music and life skills workshops were run alongside the showcase.

At the ‘Grand Finale’, which took place on 17^th July at the Tasuba Theatre in the historical seaside village of Bagamoyo, vigorous band Club Shanga (read previous post) from Eastern Zimbabwe showed themselves deserving of this year's title and earned a European tour for next year! They will follow Nyali (Zambia) and Mokoomba (Zimbabwe) who have both successfully performed on international stages over the last two years.

There were some talented performances from the other nine competing bands at this year’s IRF edition, such as Lumumba Theatre - known for their theatrical performances and traditional dance music - and Twetulobo, a band which balances both traditional and modern styles.

Malawi was represented in the competition by Omafadar, an Afro-Jazz rhythms band, and Kula, a band juggling varied forms of music including jazz, blues and afrocentric, while Mozambique was well represented by last year's contenders Nandov and their counterparts Tudulos.

Zambia’s musical offering consisted of Afrocentric Band and Lubani. Both of the bands were tutored by renowned guitarist Jones Kabanga and most of the members made their international debut at this festival.

Aside from the winners Club Shanga, Zimbabwe was also represented this year by The Way band which put up an equally noticeable performance.

Throughout the competition festival revellers also had the chance to enjoy live appearances from guest artists Royale Echoes International (Ghana), Taiwa Jazz Band (South Africa), Body, Mind & Soul (Malawi – IRF 2007 winner), Ashimba (Tanzania), Bogus (Flanders, Belgium), RMS (Wallonia, Belgium) and The Naima Train (Sweden).

On Sunday 18^th, fresh winners Club Shanga moved the crowd at a chill-out concert in the Makumbusho Cultural Center, in Dar es Salaam. The show completed this African sound clash showcase which is the culmination of the year for the Music Crossroads program.

It also concludes this IRF 2010 blog, but stay tuned to the Music Crossroads’ webpage for more info as we are already looking forward to the next (13th) InterRegional Festival in Maputo, Mozambique, on September 2011!

Club Shanga, proud winners of the InterRegional Festival!

Like most of the 10 finalist bands, Club Shanga travelled a long way to impress the audience and jury at the long awaited 12th InterRegional Festival (IRF), in the historical seaside village of Bagamoyo (Tanzania).

Determined to overcome last year’s disappointment, when they locked themselves in their hotel room to cry after the IRF in Zambia, Club Shanga went on a 3000 km road trip sleeping three nights on a bus to get to this year’s venue.

Club Shanga wanted the title badly. One of their musicians, 25-year-old backing vocalist and percussionist Georgina Mutenda, made sure she was not left behind and took her three-month-old baby, Nicole, with her so that she could play with her group.

Their efforts were rewarded - from the moment they started playing at the Tasuba Theatre, the seven-piece group had the crowd moving to their vibrant music, which the band calls Afro Shangara!

Their contemporary take is strongly influenced by a traditional style of music from their region in the heart of Mashonaland East province (Marondera) of Zimbabwe, called Shangara. The band’s name also derives from this mixture of afrocentric music accompanied with melodious female voices.

On 17th July, after some talented performances from Omafadar Band (Malawi), Twetulobo (Tanzania), Nandov (Mozambique), The Way (Zimbabwe), Lubani (Zambia), Kula Band (Malawi), Lunumba Theatre Group (Tanzania), Afrocentric (Zambia), Tudulos (Mozambique) and Msafiri Zawose (Tanzania), it was sheer joy and tears of happiness this time for Club Shanga when they were announced winners!

The IRF jury, presided by Music Crossroads International Director Dag Franzén, motivated its decision by emphasizing Club Shanga’s “exceptionally strong vocals, beautiful songs, positive force and stage performance”.

That same night, when everyone else had left the venue, the band recorded some songs with producer Poney Gross, which will soon be available for listening on the Music Crossroads web page!

The band leader, Trust Matombo, stated that they are aiming high, pursuing their professional careers in music while encouraging youngsters and upcoming musicians to have pride in their own music, values and culture as Africans.

Formed in 2007, Club Shanga consists of Farai Baramasimbe (lead vocals), Georginah Mutenda (backing vocals and percussion), Perseverance Mataranyika (backing vocals and percussion), Trust Matombo (keyboards), Musa Maruva (lead guitar), Vongai Makonde (drums) and Aggabu T.Nyabinde (bass). They are a group of spirited and skilful artists, formed of 2 female and 5 male young musicians.

As part of the IRF prize, following Zambia's Nyali Band (winners of 2009), Club Shanga will be touring Europe during 2011. For more information, or if you would like to book the band for a festival, concert or workshop at a place near you, please contact:

Miguel Carvalho (communications@music-crossroads.net)

The IRF 2010 Program

Dear Music Crossroads fans,

The last IRF 2010 Program is now available! Check it out below. From here on in we will be updating this blog reguarly.

NOTE: WE HAVE CHANGED VENUE!!! The IRF organisers are very excited to announce the Festival will now be set in the beautiful historical sea-side village - Bagamoyo!!!

WEDNESDAY, 14th JULY (TaSUBa, Bagamoyo)

• Arrivals competing bands from Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia & Zimbabwe – and guest bands from Europe and other parts of Africa
• Travel to the NEW festival site - TaSUBa, Bagamoyo
• Official welcome and reception

THURSDAY, 15th JULY (TaSUBa, Bagamoyo)

• Music & Life Skills Workshops @ TaSUBa - ALL DAY
• Studio Recording Sessions - ALL DAY
• Jam session I - (check back soon for details)
  

FRIDAY, 16th JULY (TaSUBa, Bagamoyo)

• Music & Life Skills Workshops @ TaSUBa (All Day)
• InterRegional Festival Concert I @ TaSUBa (4.00-10.30pm): Performances of competing bands, international and local guest bands.
• Studio Recording Sessions (Morning)

SATURDAY, 17th JULY (TaSUBa, Bagamoyo)

• Music & Life Skills Workshops @ TaSUBa (Morning)
• InterRegional Festival Concert II - Finale @ TaSUBa (4.00-10.30pm): Performances of competing bands, international and local guest bands.
• International Jury Announcement @ TaSUBa (10.00pm): IRF Prize Winners 2010
  

SUNDAY, 18th JULY (Makumbusho, Dar es Salaam)

• Travel to Dar es Salaam - 1 hr (Morning)
• Chill-Out Concert @ Makumbusho, Dar es Salaam (3.00-9.00pm): Performances by all Music Crossroads bands, international and local guest bands.

Karibuni katika tamasha la kimataifa la Music Crossroads 2010!

Zimbabwean band "African Destiny" working the crowd at the IRF09 in Livingstone, Zambia.

What is the IRF?

The Music Crossroads IRF is likely the most unique musical experience south of the equator. This year's edition of the African sound lash will take place from the 16th to the 18th of July in Tanzania, bringing together the best up-and-coming artists from Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as special guests from around the world.

The Music Crossroads IRF totals 3 days of musical magic for audiences of all ages and musical tastes. Starting at TaSUBa in Bagamoyo, the first day of the festival is packed full with international showcases by outstanding new artists from Belgium, Ghana, Sweden and South Africa along side local Tanzanian favorites. The second day continues at TaSUBa and brings with it the highlight of the festival; the Music Crossroads IRF "Grand Finale", southern African's premier music competition for up-and-coming bands. On Sunday the event will move to Makumbusho, Dar es Salaam where artists will thrill local revellers in a more relaxed, laidback atmosphere in the heart of Dar.

So what sets the Music Crossroads IRF apart from other African music festivals? Firstly all the musicians are under 25, ensuring that you get only the freshest unseen talent from southern Africa and beyond. The festival is open to all styles of music but is most renowned for its celebration of African heritage, whether pop or rock, jazz or reggae, all artists showcased at the festival pulsate a spirit and feel that is undoubtedly African. The Music Crossroads IRF is not just an incredible music festival; it is a spectacular showdown between the Salif Keita’s and Miriam Makeba’s of tomorrow. It’s a question of pride, each band has been selected through a gruelling series of local and national competitions to arrive at the IRF where they will represent their country at a proverbial ‘CONCAF Cup‘ of music! The winner of the festival will walk away with a European Tour of over 8 different countries, a demo CD recording as well as management and promotion by the Music Crossroads International team. Music Crossroads is today recognised as the official launch pad for young African musicians. Past winners include Kapa Dech (Mozambique), Afrikali (Tanzania), Tikhu Vibrations and Body, Mind & Soul (Malawi), Bongo Love, Liyana and Mokoomba (Zimbabwe) and last year’s winners Nyali from Zambia to name a few.

For the musicians this is also not only a great festival, but a chance for them to change their lives and that of their communities forever! Each Music Crossroads IRF includes high level musical workshops as well as several opportunities for young artists to explore the role of music in shaping their societies and addressing some of the most serious issues (HIV/AIDS prevention, gender equality etc) affecting their lives as young Africans.

If it’s music you want it’s music you’ll get! This year’s festival promises to pull out all the stops and is set to be one of the biggest in the festivals' 15-year history. “How much is all of this amazing entertainment going to cost me?” You ask? Well that is the best part; it’s absolutely free! Each day kicks off around 3pm so make sure that you get down to Bagamoyo to support your nation’s rising musical stars at the Music Crossroads IRF 2010.

For more information contact: info@music-crossroads.net