Jamaican Chris Martin to perform in Lilongwe

Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist Chris Martin is set to perform in Malawi during the inaugural Lilongwe Music and Arts Festival (LiFest) scheduled for October 29 to 30.

The musician will be joined by Nigerian Joe Boy in the first line-up of international headliners for the two-day event which will take place at Lilongwe Golf Club.

Organisers say more updates on other international and local artists will follow.

LiFest project coordinator Maya Kalumo said as mental health counselling advocates, they want to use the platform to open dialogue around mental health and gender-based violence (GBV), especially among the youth.

He said the festival will be a catalyst for their mental health and GBV awareness and it will amplify collaboration between music and the youth.

Also on the menu will be poetry, arts and crafts, food stalls and mental health talks.

Kalumo added: “We want to connect local and international artists, music lovers, right-thinking individuals and organisations who are interested in building our communities.”

He said proceeds from the event will be used to raise funds for the ground-breaking of a rehabilitation centre to be constructed in Lilongwe. The centre will offer both free and paying mental health services to Lilongwe’s peri-urban youth.

Following the unveiling of the two headliners, LiFest organisers said they will host a stakeholders meeting this Friday with potential partners of their flagship mental health and GBV programme.

Chris Martin is considered one of the prominent and gifted reggae/dancehall artists of the modern era. He is best known for songs such as Cheaters Prayer, Am A Big Deal and Look On My Face.

On the other hand, Joy Boy, real name Joseph Akinwale Donus, is an afro-beat artist with a strong leaning towards contemporary R ‘n’ B. The Nigerian is known for compositions such All For You and Beginning.