the ticket price for this is a third of the average malawian's annual wages. does that make it the most elitist festival on the planet, i wonder?
I did (and still do a tiny bit) wonder whether it is genuine, and really interested in helping locals. I believe it is, but won't know until I go.
One of the main benefits is to bring money (especially from oversea) in to the local economy. They wouldn't get many from o/s without a few biggish acts and decent sound which wouldnt be possible without relatively expensive tickets.
Also the quality of the event, sound, lighting, etc is professional and this gives local artists an opportunity to experience that. I heard a local musician talking about how bad the studios in Malawi are and how good it was to get a recording which sounded half decent.
LOS also took some Malawian artists to perform at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and does different international exchanges (both ways).
My point is that to do something like this in a professional way creates opportunities that you wouldn't be able to if you only charged what the average local can afford.
I heard a negative story which was that some local artists had an argument about their performance fee and refused it. They then put on a smaller party nearby as a fuck you.
This raised some doubts for me but most locals seem to be into it.
Locals pay 1/3 of the international price btw which is a pretty hefty discount.
Still, it is sad to think that the vast majority couldn't dream of going, while other people are booking flights from australia to come check it out.
Must suck to see a wave of tourists come through and enjoy themselves, especially if the festival is the sort of thing you'd enjoy.
I could write pages on this topic but I won't.
