The MTN BUSHFIRE digital festival and line up

Mbabane: The indicators are pointing the right direction, everything now set, the biggest festival “MTN BUSHFIRE” digital edition is here.

Instead of gathering in person on the traditional festival weekend, on Saturday May 30th, MTN BUSHFIRE fans can still enjoy a wide and diverse array of music and related programming via an immersive two-way virtual experience.

This event will not be streamed on any public network, like Facebook, YouTube, the only way to enjoy some of the most electrifying performances, is to get a ticket and access the stream on the howler platform. To register for free access and join the party and enjoy the virtual festival, festival lovers must go to www.mtnbushfire.howler.co.za/keepthefireburning

This year’s beloved MTN BUSHFIRE festival, which is the 14th edition is taking place digitally due effects of COVID-19

The MTN BUSHFIRE festival organisers have put a virtual spin on the festival and all donations made are set to go straight to charity.

Partnership

The live experience, in partnership with event technology platform Howler, promises to bring an immersive two-way virtual experience that recreates the unique atmosphere of the festival.

“This is the time to Immerse yourself in our renowned authentically African and globally-infused programme as we recreate the unique atmosphere of the MTN BUSHFIRE festival including some of your favourite artists performing from home, along with highlights from previous festivals, and other MTN BUSHFIRE festival experiences including the KidZone, Bring Your Fire Zone, House on Fire and Firefly stages.”

Commenting on the MTN BUSHFIRE digital edition BUSHFIRE communications officer Phiwokuhle Dhlamini was quoted saying, “virtual attendees can expect a virtual experience that recreates the festival’s multidimensional experiences and the eclectic programming that keeps them coming back year after year.”

“The spirit of togetherness and inclusivity which the MTN BUSHFIRE festival is famous for will come alive in exciting themed Zoom rooms.”

Donations

The festival is completely free, however, you are urged to donate to Bushfire’s beneficiaries, Young Heroes – a charity that focuses on orphaned and vulnerable children and their elderly caretakers – as well as boMake Rural Projects – a community-based organisation that supports women and their families in rural Eswatini.

Donations will provide emergency relief packages that include food, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment to some of Eswatini’s most vulnerable households. 100% of the proceeds will go towards supporting the two causes.

Partying for a good cause has always been synonymous with this festival, and its efforts last year saw it bringing in R330 000 for the two organisations.

Line-up

An interesting line up has been put in place to thrill virtual festival lovers. The line-up consist of some of the best deejays, musicians, poets and creative from the African continent and overseas.

By the time of compiling this report Eswatini artists that had been announced includes: iSooks, Senetisiwe,Slotta, Dj Muscle, Lucid (MTN Spotlight Winner 2019), Msimisi, Siso Nkambule,Speech Umlageni, Mandisa, Mkay,MYSH,Symphony, Bholoja, Sands, Velemseni.

From international artist virtual festival lovers can expect the likes of Donovan Copley from South Africa, Ain the Machine from Germany, Habib Koité from Mali; Dizraeli from the UK, Mokoomba from Zimbabwe, Alune Wade from Senegal, Mehdi Nassouli from Morocco, and Mario Batkovic from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All these artists will be perfoming live on the diferent Zoom spaces which will house different activities such as the Bring Your Fire Zone, Firefly, House On Fire and the Kidzone – all of which would usually find at the vibrant physical space.”