Discover the magic of Beneath the Baobabs Festival an annual celebration held from 30th December 1st January above the source of Takaungu Creek in Kilifi’s baobab forest.
Set on 50 acres of pristine Baobab Forest, upstream from the Takaungu Creek and 5kms from the Indian Ocean, Beneath The Baobabs Festival is the perfect tropical setting for a party and holiday experience, giving the best of all worlds, offering an immersive experience of contemporary and traditional Kenyan culture.
For over 9 Years Kilifi has been growing into a mecca for East African artists, fans and audiophiles to celebrate the New and Past Year together.
As ever, the 2023/24 Beneath The Baobabs Festival line-up brings together respected names of the Kenyan Electronic & Alternative Music Scene, some of the freshest acts changing the game in East Africa and globally, as well as a number of International Acts excited to engage with the vibrant crowd of Kilifi.
International Headliners include SA House Legend, CULOE DE SONG, award winning Amapiano Vocalist, BOOHLE, Live Melodic Tech Wizard FABIAN KROOSS (Still Vor Talent), the seminal Afro Tech DJ & Vocalist THANDI DRAAI, a very special back to back DJ set from UK producers MARIBOU STATE & UNITED FREEDOM COLLECTIVE and a bass driven Valley Stage headline set from UK badgyal MINA.
At the heart of Beneath The Baobabs Festival is African Electronic Music, shaking the Funktion One sound systems to their core; for the 10th year they make no exceptions with a vanguard of Kenyan stars driving the event.
On the Opening Night THE MAIN STAGE will host Kenyan Amapiano legends KANEDA, MGM and DJ IV who will be representing a huge following of Kenyan dancers sure to break down the log drums like never before. Each act has been central in building the Amapiano sound in the country and each has their own distinct way of presenting it.
Opening the stage will be the Kilifi’s very own multi-disciplinary artist KÜRÏBÃ, followed by one of Kenya’s most exciting live acts, DIPA KONNECTION who fuse roots culture with Genge & Hip Hop to present a powerful opening show.
The stage will be closed on the first night by the festival's former head of social media, XPRSO member, and producer, BBYY. On The Island with her unique underground bounce and edits.
The Main Stage on the 31st will witness heavyweight Afro House & Afro Tech sounds from the next generation of DJs shaping the Kenyan scene. Including a midnight NYE drop by LEMI & SIMILA Live, internationally acclaimed Vocalist and DJ, TINA ARDOR, ‘The King of The Coast’ SHANGATATU, ‘Mass House’ Head Honcho BIG NYAGZ and Ethiopian Afro-Tech queen DRØMMER.
The stage will be opened by the mystical ODD OKODDO, formed of Kenyan vocalist Olith Ratego and German producer Sven Kacirek, allowing the mind and body to settle into a serious music journey.
THE TWISTED FIG STAGE has grown increasingly popular to the local family and will be headlined by Rise Resident and Ethiopian champion GHEDI, who will be hosting a very special Opening Night Party with partners in crime HIRIBAE, TRENT and Kilifi rising star SOULFUD.
The stage will be warmed up by global DJs JOEY MANZI, ANDY LEMAY and TIM GARCIA, all who are deeply connected in the European industry and keen to build meaningful relationships with the Kenya scene.
The sound will be strictly funky, with global sounds earlier, followed by GHEDI’s curation of Jacking House and Disco, honoring the roots of electronic music and the spirit of protest through freedom of expression. The stage will be closed out by Kenyan underground legend KNVL and the sunrise will be welcomed by Swedish DE GALLI with her spiritual down tempo sounds to sooth the soul.
On the 31st THE TWISTED FIG STAGE will be curated by long time family member of Beneath The Baobabs, MAX MALESI, and headlined by Still Vor Talent’s FABIAN KROOSS who has been making waves in the international festival scene this year.
The curation on this stage harks back to the roots of the festival and Burning Man culture with founder of Hooligan Ally and Beneath The Baobabs Director, FEDE leading the charge alongside Kilifi family member XAN WOODS, Africa Burn camp leader ROBIN CHARLES and Kenyan electronic wizz STEFANO CASSINI.
Kenya Nights and DSTKT founder Riz Ibrahim will present his Techno monika MIDNIGHT SEX MACHINE, with fast rising SHI and Sawa Sawa Lounge resident AAHIL delivering the new guard of Kilifi techno to a seminal Boabab Deck.
The underground sounds of East Africa will of course be deeply represented on THE VALLEY STAGE, powered by one of the best sound systems in the county. On the opening night SANTURI ELECTRONIC MUSIC ACADAMY will take over the stage with a wide selection of music presented and managed by their alumni and curated by JUSTIN DOUCET.
The stage will swing through a variety of genres from the smooth conscious Hip Hop of the amazing MAU FROM NOWHERE & LUKORITO, to hot Nairobi Bass sounds form the likes of NOW IS GOOD, BURUGU, KENYAN SHILLING, WANT3CH & BAD MON. Santuri mainstay BUDALAGI will pick up the pace in time for a powerful Singeli performance by Tanzanian JAY MITTA, whilst berlin based Sloppe founder and Wax Museum producer DANIEL CHERNEY will help bridge the gap between the high tempo Singeli and 3 seminal Live Ambient acts including the soon to be stratospheric NJOKABI KARIUKI, NG’AT MALER & AIR CONDITIONER, making The Valley Stage a magical place to be early morning on 31st December!
THE VALLEY STAGE on 31st December will be opened by the formidable VALLERIE MUTHONI with her high intensity live Hip Hop and Drill set. Kilifi based SHELLQUEEN will bring up the BPM and get people moving with Kudero, Gqom and Afro Bass sounds.
Whilst MINA from the UK will see in the New Year with some heavy booty shaking that she has become known for from her amazing Book Book night in London.
The highly anticipated return of powerhouse COCO EM will be sure to test the speakers to the max, followed by Ugandan ANTI-MASS founder AUTHENTICALLY PLASTIC who will be sure to push the Baobab dancers as far ad they have ever been before with their genre bending, high pace sets.
THE FRELANDA STAGE, set between a marooned yacht and a huge Neem Tree, will play host to some underground techno on the opening night with sets by local DJs DAUDI DUBS and CLARKIE and welcoming Ugandan underground techno mainstays ANITRAXX and THII. They will be followed by Open Lab Radio guru TINTIN and closed off with a beautiful morning set by Nairobi curator AFU.
On New Year’s Eve THE FRELANDA STAGE will be represented by Kilifi & Mombasa County’s own talents, with Swahili Hip Hop king KAA LA MOTO setting the tone with his mad freestyle and Swahili commentary. The master of Mwanzele, MR BADO will return with full entourage celebrating Mijikenda culture for a serious trance dance before the NYE drop.
The festival is excited welcome ‘The Matsangoni Boy’ REAGAN DANDY to perform his unique hard-hitting Giriama Hip Hop. After the NYE drop, the reigns will be handed over to eco-warrior and Nairobi beat maker BLOCKA BEATS, who will be accompanied by 2nd sets from the diverse Nu-Nairobi waver HIRIBAE and BBYY. ON THE ISLAND for a serious Hip Hop party!
The much loved KO LoKol SESSION will return for a special acoustic afternoon on the 31st to ease minds and bodies outside of the newly Baobab Studios. Sets by songsmiths DON NGATIA, BERO THE HERO, BAKHITA, TUGI MLAMBA & RAZOR MAN have been curated by our amazing partners KENYAN ORIGINALS who are keen to shine a light on Kenyan creatives.
They will be building a new installation and hosting their own bar for a true KO experience, best tasted in front of the KO LoKoL Session!
All four of the festival's stages are built into the forest setting, supported by top quality Sound, Lighting, Ground Performers, Art Installations and Decor, each playing a crucial role in assisting the audience towards a truly transformative experience.
The festival hosts some of the hardest hitting healers, therapists and activists in the region under its KISIMA arm, allowing for a mindful celebration whilst celebrating the New Year in a unique way. The tropical setting is amplified by viewing decks 30ms above the forest floor, with a plethora of huge Baobab, Tamarind and Neem trees keeping the grounds shaded and relaxing: the ideal way to combine adventure and travel alongside the very best music you can find.
With over 60 artists added to the immense lineup and much more to come, Beneath The Baobabs Festival 2023/24 is set to be its most monumental edition to date.
