Following 5 hugely successful shows in this year’s installment of the Mascom Live Sessions at Botswana Craft this year, the grand finale of Botswana’s longest running concert series is scheduled to take place on the 5th of December with one of the freshest line ups the show has seen this year. This year South African newcomers Beatenburg will headline the last show accompanied by Kwaito kings MMP Family.
This will be the first time that the local group MMP family will be headlining a show at Botswana Craft. The three man group is popularly known for reviving kwaito music in Botswana. Hit songs from their album debut Mo Spacing earned them an award at the Botswana Musicians Union Awards in 2013 in the category of Best Kwaito Album of the Year and their repertoire of collaborations has grown since then, garnering collaboration with artists like Vee, T-izzy, T.H.A.B.O, BK Proctor and others.
Also a new face to the Botswana Craft stage is South African three man group Beatenburg who are based in Cape Town. Two month into the release of their their debut album, this will be the first time that Beatenburg will be performing in Botswana. Already popular for their cross over hits ‘Pluto’ and ‘Rafael’, local audience will get to sample the more eclectic offerings from their debut album , The hanging Gardens of Babylon. Before the Live Sessions on the 5th, the group is scheduled to perform along side Jazz legend Hugh Masekela on the 29th of November in Soweto at the Heritage Show.
“We are aware that these acts are quite different and they have never performed at our shows but their music is perfect to start up the festive season because it is mostly dance tunes. We always have the same people coming back because of popular demand but this time around we wanted to give other new acts a chance to show us what they have got. We will also have a little surprise at the show,” said Oliver Groth, from Botswana Craft. With Mascom and Botswana Craft having renewed their contract, the sessions can be expected again next year. “I encourage local artists to contact us in future so that they too can be part of the Live Sessions.” Beatenburg will arrive in Gaborone on the 4th of December to prepare for the show.