Madalitso band are a two man musical army from Malawi. Described as ‘Uplifting and Vibrant’ by the BBC, they get a crowd to their feet and big smiling. Their first album was produced by Bongo Joe records and the band has already performed at Womex 2020, Womad 2019, Roskilde 2018, Sauti Za Busara 2017 and many more.
They were discovered busking outside a shopping centre in 2009. Their vibrant playing, strong vocals and traditional style caught the attention of Emanuel Kamwenje who recorded their first album the same year.
The band plays the babatone, a home-made instrument which is very popular in Malawi and the four-string guitar, creating the traditional Malawi banjo sound. The babatone player works on the side as a “gardener” and the guitar player works as a “watchman” as required. Around Malawi they are revered as musical prophets.
2017 saw their first time to perform outside the country when they were invited to play two shows at Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar. They caught the attention of the BBC who featured them on the Global beats program, and were a big hit at the festival, bringing the whole audience to their feet and full of smiles.
Now they’re about to hit the road again with HIFA in Zimbabwe followed by a European tour in the summer through Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Sweden.
