Jah Prayzah, Feli Nandi and Msiz’kay Lead First Jacaranda Music Festival Line-Up

Jah Prayzah, Feli Nandi and Msiz’kay have been unveiled as some of the first artistes confirmed for this year’s Jacaranda Music Festival, setting the stage for another major celebration of Zimbabwean music and culture in Harare. The ninth edition of the festival will take place from October 2 to 4 under the theme “The Music. The People. The City.” Organisers are preparing for a three-day programme designed to bring together musicians, audiences, creatives and communities through a diverse range of sounds and performances. The first phase of the line-up already features a mix of established Zimbabwean artistes, regional performers and DJs, giving audiences an indication of the breadth of the festival. With additional artistes expected to be announced in the coming phases, anticipation is likely to increase as the October event approaches.

Festival director Walter Wanyanya said preparations for the Jacaranda Music Festival were already well underway as organisers worked towards another major edition of the event. He described the festival as an important platform for celebrating Zimbabwean music and culture while connecting local artistes with audiences and creatives from different parts of the world. The theme, “The Music. The People. The City,” reflects the organisers’ intention to position music as a means of bringing people together while showcasing Harare’s cultural identity. Wanyanya said music connects artistes, audiences, communities and different cultures, making the festival more than a series of live performances. The focus on Harare as a vibrant cultural city also gives the event a strong local identity while creating opportunities for Zimbabwean music to reach international audiences.

The Phase One line-up brings together performers from different musical backgrounds and generations, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on diversity. Alongside Jah Prayzah, Feli Nandi and Msiz’kay, the first batch includes Travellers Band, Caiiro, Silent Nqo, DJ Young Vibes, Mwendamberi and Andile Brown. Each performer brings a different sound and performance style to the programme, giving festivalgoers the opportunity to experience a broad selection of music during the three-day event. The combination of established performers and other acts also allows the festival to appeal to audiences with different musical preferences. As more names are added, the organisers are expected to further expand the range of genres and artistic styles represented at the festival.

Jah Prayzah’s inclusion adds significant star power to the festival because of his established position within Zimbabwe’s contemporary music industry. The musician has built a strong following through a career that combines modern production with elements of Zimbabwean musical traditions. His performances have also helped introduce Zimbabwean music to audiences beyond the country’s borders, making his appearance consistent with the festival’s goal of showcasing local talent internationally. Feli Nandi brings another distinctive voice to the line-up, adding to the representation of contemporary Zimbabwean music. Msiz’kay’s inclusion further strengthens the local focus of the festival and contributes to a programme designed to demonstrate the variety of talent available within Zimbabwe.

Wanyanya said the organisers deliberately curated the line-up around two central objectives, showcasing Zimbabwe to the world and celebrating diversity. He explained that the programme was designed to demonstrate the depth and variety of Zimbabwe’s music scene while creating opportunities for local artistes to share stages with regional and international performers. This approach can benefit musicians by giving them access to new audiences and creating opportunities for collaboration across borders. It can also help festivalgoers discover artistes and musical styles they may not encounter through mainstream music platforms. By combining different performers in one programme, Jacaranda Music Festival aims to reflect the wider creative landscape of Zimbabwe.

The festival’s emphasis on different generations, genres and musical styles is another important part of its identity. Zimbabwe has a diverse music industry that includes traditional sounds, contemporary Afro-fusion, urban music, dance music and other emerging styles. Bringing these sounds together allows the festival to create a programme that reflects the country’s changing musical tastes while maintaining a connection to its cultural heritage. The presence of regional and international performers also provides an opportunity for Zimbabwean musicians to engage with artists from outside the country. This combination can help create a more connected music industry in which audiences and performers have greater exposure to different sounds and creative approaches.

The Jacaranda Music Festival has also grown into an important meeting point for audiences and creatives who want to experience Zimbabwean culture through live entertainment. A three-day festival provides more space for performances, collaborations and interactions than a single concert, allowing organisers to create a broader cultural experience. The event’s focus on Harare is particularly relevant because the capital has a large and diverse creative community that includes musicians, producers, visual artists, designers and other cultural practitioners. By placing the city at the centre of its theme, the festival is also highlighting Harare as a destination for music and cultural experiences. This approach could help strengthen the city’s reputation as a regional centre for entertainment and creative expression.

The international component of the festival is equally important to the organisers’ long-term vision. Wanyanya said Jacaranda aims to put Zimbabwean talent on a global stage while creating a space where local, regional and international audiences can come together. Bringing international and regional acts into the programme can give Zimbabwean performers opportunities to reach new listeners and build professional relationships. It can also encourage visitors from other countries to experience Harare through its music, food, arts and broader cultural scene. For Zimbabwe’s creative sector, these connections can contribute to greater visibility and potentially open doors for future collaborations and performances outside the country.

More artistes are expected to be announced as organisers release subsequent phases of the Jacaranda Music Festival line-up. The additional announcements will provide a clearer picture of the full programme and could introduce more genres, performers and international acts to the festival. The phased approach also allows anticipation to build gradually as audiences wait to see which other names will join the October event. For musicians, being included in the festival can provide an opportunity to perform before diverse audiences and participate in one of Zimbabwe’s established music events. For fans, the evolving line-up creates another reason to follow the festival’s preparations and plan for the three-day celebration.

The ninth edition of the Jacaranda Music Festival is shaping up to be a significant celebration of Zimbabwean music, culture and the creative identity of Harare. The first phase featuring Jah Prayzah, Feli Nandi, Msiz’kay, Travellers Band, Caiiro, Silent Nqo, DJ Young Vibes, Mwendamberi and Andile Brown already demonstrates the organisers’ commitment to musical variety. The theme, “The Music. The People. The City,” reinforces the festival’s focus on bringing communities together while presenting Harare as a vibrant cultural destination. With further artistes still to be announced, the programme is expected to become even more diverse ahead of the October 2 to 4 event. If the organisers achieve their goal of connecting Zimbabwean talent with regional and international audiences, this year’s Jacaranda Music Festival could further strengthen its role as a platform for Zimbabwe’s growing creative industry.