Sauti za Busara Music Festival 2015

Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th February 2015
various venues, Zanzibar, Tanzania , Tanzania MAP
early bird $80 (approx £48) for a 5 day pass

Daily capacity: 5,000

Last updated: Fri 20th Mar 2015

The 12th Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) Music Festival takes place in Zanzibar, Tanzania from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th February 2015. There is a continuous daily programme of music starting in the late afternoon, as the sunshine softens and shadows start to stretch out, and continuing virtually non-stop into the evening, with the final band taking to the stage around midnight.

Line-up

Blitz the Ambassador (Ghana / USA), Alikiba (Tanzania), Octopizzo and band (Kenya), Ihhashi Elimhlophe (South Africa), Tcheka (Cape Verde), Diabel Cissokho (Senegal), Sarabi (Kenya), The Brother Moves On (South Africa), Culture Musical Club (Zanzibar), Ahamada Smis ‘Origines’ Trio (Comoros / France / Zanzibar), Mim Suleiman (Zanzibar / UK), Isabel Novella (Mozambique), Msafiri Zawose (Tanzania), Aline Frazão (Angola), Tsiliva (Madagascar), Leo Mkanyia and the Swahili Blues Band (Tanzania), Mohamed Ilyas & Nyota Zameremeta (Zanzibar), Thaïs Diarra (Senegal / Mali / Switzerland), Liza Kamikazi and band (Rwanda), Erik Aliana (Cameroon), Bonaya Doti (Kenya), Mpamanga (Madagascar), Mgodro Group (Zanzibar), Djmawi Africa (Algeria), Rico Single & Swahili Vibes (Zanzibar), Zee Town Sojaz (Zanzibar), Ifa Band (Tanzania), Mwahiyerani (Tanzania), Loryzine (Réunion / France), Tunaweza Band (Tanzania), Mabantu Africa (Tanzania), Cocodo African Music (Tanzania), Kiki Kidumbaki (Zanzibar), DCMA Young Stars (Zanzibar), Capoeira Brazil Zanzibar (Zanzibar), Shirikisho Sanaa Group (Zanzibar), Babawatoto Centre (Tanzania), and more.

400 musicians including both upcoming and established groups, acoustic and electric, from East Africa and beyond. 20+ groups, all performing 100% live. In the Old Fort shows continue on the main stage Friday through Sunday with performances from 5pm until 1am. Most concerts are in historic Stone Town supplemented with fringe events around town and across the island including a festival street parade.

Tickets

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Admission is FREE to local people until 6pm, then around 1 (one euro). Prices vary for citizens, residents, and visitors. Prices for international visitors are from around $80 US dollars for an early bird all four days standard ticket.

Accommodation

The festival does not have a campsite, and there is a good range of accommodation options in and around Stone Town.

Flights

Zanzibar has international scheduled flights, or there are international flights to Dar es Salaam. Zanzibar has international scheduled flights served by Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways. Also regional flights served by Fly540, Precision Air, Air Uganda, and 1time (South Africa). Alternatively, Dar es Salaam is served by British Airways, KLM, Swiss Air, South African Airways and Emirates. There are then internal flights or ferries from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar.

Ferries

Zanzibar is served by a number of ferry companies to/from Dar es Salaam. There are several fast (2hr) hydrofoil crossings daily plus several slower (4hr) vessels. Non Residents should expect to pay up to US$55 incl port tax one-way.

Visas

The requirements and rules regarding visas vary according to your nationality and country of residence. Please check well in advance.

More information will be here when available.