Madalitso Band

The Madalitso Band are a two-man musical army from Malawi. Featured on BBC television coverage of Glastonbury Festival 2025 - and described by the BBC as 'Uplifting and Vibrant' - they get crowds beaming with wonder and moving with joy every time they play.

Their first album was produced by Bongo Joe Records, and the band has already performed at Glastonbury, Womex, Womad, Roskilde, Sauti Za Busara, Shambala, Boomtown...to name just a few. Discovered busking outside a shopping centre in 2009, their vibrant playing, strong vocals and traditional style have since taken them all the way to a live BBC 6 Music session with Cerys Matthews at the legendary Maida Vale studios.

The band plays the babatone - a popular home-made instrument in Malawi - and the four-string guitar, creating the traditional Malawian 'banjo' sound. When not playing or touring, babatone player Yobu Malinga works as a gardener and guitarist Yosefe Kalekeni works as a security guard. Around Malawi, however, they are increasingly revered as musical prophets.