Category archives: Festival

Msafiri Zawose is currently one of the most admired Gogo musicians today. His father, Hukwe Zawose (1938-2003) was a musical giant, an influential figure in post-independence Tanzania, head of a large musical clan, a master musician and one of the most mesmerizing performers ever seen. Born into a family that honors and values tradition, Msafiri is determined to preserve this rich musical heritage. Gogo music, originating in Central Tanzania, derives its unique sound from the mixture of the traditional instruments and vocal harmonies. Like his father, Msafiri has mastered a wide variety of instruments from marimba (balafon), zeze (Gogo two-stringed violin), ilimba (pentatonically tuned thumb piano) and ngoma (traditional drums). He has a transient voice spanning a wide range of styles and sounds, transporting his listeners to a different world.

Lubygo Sam aka Levixone Lala was born in Kampala, Uganda but grew up in the slams of Kosova where his journey of music began. As one of the most reputable reggae dance hall and RnB Gospel artists in Uganda with the ability to write his own music, makes him stand out from ordinary. Levixone has shared the stage with international gospel artistes such as Papa San (US), The truth, Pompe (Zambia), Issac Blackman and Ugandan local artists, Exodus, Judith Babirye, Wilson Bugembe Jackie Senyonjo, and many others.

Well, what can we say about Dj Rachel, she has been there each year at Bayimba sharing her love with the Silent Disco fans. Even though she will continue with that, but there is another side of Rachel that our audience has not experienced and for the first time ever, Dj Rachel is going to have her own solo headline act #BAYIMBA2015 on Friday 18th Sept. at 11pm (23hrs) on the main stage. Whatever she is planned, you cannot miss!

Auntie Flo has become a central figure in the ‘new strand of club music fusing electronic and world influences alongside the likes of Daphni, Four Tet, Romare, Sinkane and John Wizards’ (Joe Muggs, The Wire, 2013). Originally from Glasgow but now residing in London, he has been travelled the world extensively pushing his unique ‘Afro-futurist’ sound either with the Auntie Flo live show.

Esa Williams arrival in London is a loss to his adopted city of Glasgow, where, for the past 7 years he played a valuable role in the city’s thriving music scene. By day, providing a helping hand with many of his fellow producers in the city, conducting workshops on behalf of Abelton, Red Bull Music Academy and Apple. By Night, rocking any dancefloor worthwhile being on when he plays his unique and contagious take on house music. An integral part of the Auntie Flo live set up, he has played at Europes leading venues and festival. He comes to perform #BAYIMBA2015, with exactly the same attitude, it wont be a revenge but Electronic.

The First Physical Theatre Company was established in 1993 as an associated non- profit performing arts company based at the Rhodes University Drama Department and has produced over a hundred and fifty original theatre works including twelve major full-length dance plays many of these works have pushed theatrical boundaries in their unusual theatricality and performance style.

St. Nelly-sade aka Nsubuga Nelson is a co-founder of the Almighty Hip Hop group Luga flow Army. He is well known for his unique style of storytelling fused with the art of Lyricism and poetry. He has been instrumental in creating a few of the most legendary pieces such as Kikola sense, Tubaale, Nina Plan and K’akubiddewa which later became a social anthem. He is the director of ”End of the weak Uganda” chapter, a movement towards HipHop cultural improvement.

Under the patronage of the Presidential advisor Mr. John Nagenda, Uganda National Contemporary Ballet has performed a minimum of twice a month at the National Theatre in Kampala. They have created amazing and powerful pieces mainly choreographed by Valerie Miguel. Performing #BAYIMBA2015 on Sunday 20th Sept at 9pm (21hrs) in the Big Hut, UNCB will be presenting Valerie Miguel with a solo piece.

Maddox aka David Ssemanda Ssematimba was born in Kampala, Uganda. With his incredibly unique vocals and strong message in his songs puts him in a stellar position when it comes to reggae in Uganda and the entire world. His lyrics are prophetic, educative and the love ballads throw music revelers into frenzy whenever he hits the airwaves. After his marvellous closing act during last year’s festival, Maddox will appear a second time on the Bayimba main stage, this time to open the festival on Friday 18th Sept. at 7pm (19hrs).

Country lights started in 2007 as a dance crew and singing group whose activities were basically limited to pop dancing and singing country music. It gradually developed into a non-profit organisation under the guidance of Rv. James Mubiru, the group uses the arts to restore hope to the hopeless children and youth through talent development and enhancement.