Big Music festival in Malawi

Lilongwe, Malawi (PRWEB)
August 4, 2008 -- Malawi is reaching fever pitch as it prepares for the
biggest musical festival ever to hit Africa's warm heart - the Music
Crossroads InterRegional Festival (IRF). This one-of-a-kind annual
event combines music, people and humanitarian efforts to bring together
the best young talents from Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and
Malawi for southern Africa's greatest music competition.

Lilongwe is covered from head to toe in bright festival posters
heralding the coming IRF which will kick-off on the 7th and 8th of
August with the Malawian National Finals, building up to the pinnacle
event - the Music Crossroads InterRegional Grand Final - on the 9th and
then cooling of with a community festival at Salima (near Lake Malawi)
on the 10th.

This is a big year for Malawi, as not only are they to host the IRF
but as they have been the reigning Music Crossroads champions for two
years running, having won in Maputo (2006) with Konga Vibes and Harare
(2007) with Body Mind and Soul. Hopes are high and they will definitely
be looking to take the title for a third year in a row. Music
Crossroads Malawi national coordinator Mathews Mfune assures that they
have got the goods to take it all the way. The Malawians will certainly
not have it easy though, as for the past year up and coming artists
from Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been
furiously training and competing with only two groups being selected
from each country to represent their nation at the prestigious IRF
Grand Final.

What these artists are competing for is, as they say, worth more than
gold. It is a once in a lifetime chance to launch their international
musical careers, the lucky break they have all been working for. The
winner of the IRF Grand Final will receive a Music Crossroads European
Tour of over 10 different countries, professional training and an album
recording, setting them firmly on the road to fame. Body Mind &
Soul last year's laureates have recently returned home from their
whirlwind tour and are set to make a special appearance at the festival
before beginning preparations for their 2009 US Tour.

Renowned bassist and world musician Manou Gallo (Ivory Coast/
Belgium) will also be in Malawi to give tomorrow's stars the insights
they will need to face the challenges and trials of making it
professionally in the international music industry. Other international
guests include Maslow (Ireland) and Oh Hollie Neverdays (Sweden), both
selected through similar programs, they will both perform throughout
the festival.