News: Malawi's UMP Festival unveils Gospel headliners and exciting new additions
The 2024 Urban Music People (UMP) Festival is set to captivate audiences at Cape Maclear in Mangochi District, Malawi, from October 25 to 28. This year's lineup features an array of talented artists, with Malawian stars Ethel Kamwendo Banda and Theresa Phondo headlining the gospel segment.
Joining Banda and Phondo in the main segment is Onesimus, a South Africa-based Malawian Afropop artist. The lineup also includes Zinhle Madela, Ntuja, Maveriq Mavo, The Ells, Raven Duchess, Faray the Great, Okie Worldwide, Naimah, Muhonja, ÀNESI, Remnants, Priest the Poet, and Singer/Songwriter Ntunja from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia. Malawi's reggae legends, The Black Missionaries, will also perform.
"We are honoured to welcome Dr. Ethel Kamwendo Banda and Theresa Phondo to the UMP Festival," said UMP Spokesperson Marie Thom. "Their music has touched many hearts, and their performances will be a highlight of this year's event, showcasing the best of Malawian culture and creativity."
The festival will also showcase local talents, including Phyzix, Giboh Pearson, Temwah, Tuno, Mario Bros, Afana Ceez, Zonke Too Fresh, Trumel, and Bucci. Attendees can enjoy a variety of arts activities such as theatre, spoken word, fine art, fashion, film, and dance.
Ethel Kamwendo Banda's illustrious music career spans over two decades, starting at the age of nine with the Kamwendo Brothers Band. She has performed with bands like Ravers Band, Wepaz, Mitondo, and Sapitwa, earning her reputation as a star vocalist. Her soulful voice and timeless classics like "Ndiumboni" and "Watikondera" have endeared her to fans nationwide.
Theresa Phondo, a rising star in Afro-gospel and R&B, boasts 118,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, making her one of Malawi's most streamed artists. Her self-titled debut EP and hit single "Blessings" have garnered significant acclaim, amassing over 1.9 million streams on Spotify. Beyond music, Phondo was named one of the 100 most inspiring women in Malawi by Wealth Magazine in 2024 and serves as a worship leader, wife, mother, and administrative assistant to the chief strategy advisor to the president of Malawi.
This year's UMP Festival promises an unforgettable celebration of music, art, and culture, highlighting the rich diversity and talent of artists from across the African continent.