Lake of Stars festival in September? Fancy going?

Festival in Malawi. Not exactly easy to get to. I think it would be worth the effort. Is anyone making plans to go?

Now in its third year, Malawi's Lake of Stars festival is an adventurous means to extend the summer festival season. A three-day party that aims to promote Malawi as a tourist destination, while also raising money for Malawi-based charities, Lake of Stars was founded by Will Jameson, promoter of Liverpool club night Chibuku Shake Shake (named after the popular beer milkshake in Malawi), following an inspirational gap year spent in the country.

With its combination of live music from south and east African artists and sets from Western DJs, the event is pitched somewhere between a Womad-style showcase and a north of England rave and draws around 1,500 punters (half being UK and white South African clubbers, the rest Malawian middle class). The festival site is Chintheche Inn, a converted folly in a breathtaking spot where tropical rainforest slopes down to meet the shores of Lake Malawi. The inn is basic, but comfortable, cottages house many of the overseas visitors, the rest make use of the adjoining campsite, pitching their tents beneath a canopy of palms.

The entertainment extends well into the night, with DJ sets in the beach-side bar, its dancefloor offering an unobstructed view of the flickering fishing boat lights. The bands play on a purpose-built wooden stage, before an idyllic, copse-enclosed green. Last year's live headliner was Wambali, one of Malawi's most prominent traditional singers. Previous UK representatives include DJ Yoda and members of Basement Jaxx and Groove Armada.

A separate enclosure houses the food stalls offering Asian curries, baguettes, burgers and best of all chompa, the bony but delicious local fish, delivered daily from fishing boats off the lake. There's even a fully functioning bar transported 300km from Lilongwe especially for the weekend.

Lake Of Stars offers a superb opportunity to sample the underexposed music of some of south east Africa's best performers. It's an incredible accomplishment that's getting better by the year.

sounds cool i'll come with...

you paying.....