The Madalitso Band (Malawi) + Sarah Shiels

The Madalitso Band (Malawi)
+ Sarah Shiels
Friday 8th August 2025
The New Adelphi Club
Tickets: £10 at the bottom of this page
Doors: 8.00pm

The Madalitso Band are a two man musical army from Malawi.
Described as ‘Uplifting and Vibrant’ by the BBC, they get crowds beaming with wonder and moving with joy every time.
The Madalitso Band were broadcast live from Glastonbury 2025 on BBC1

Their first album was produced by Bongo Joe Records and the band has already performed at Womex, Womad, Roskilde, Sauti Za Busara, Shambala, Boomtown… to name just a few.

They were discovered busking outside a shopping centre in 2009. Their vibrant playing, strong vocals and traditional style caught the attention of Emanuel Kamwenje who recorded their first album the same year. 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, however around Malawi they are increasingly revered as musical prophets.