Madalitso Band at The Jam Jar
Headfirst Editor's Pick

"Effervescent Malawian folk with the Bongo Joe seal of global excellence. Madalitso Band bring their street-tested foot drum thump and joyous six-stringed jangle back to the Jam Jar after a crazy memorable pairing with Cyril a few years back. It’s near impossible not to instantly fall in love with this vibrant style – proper busking gospel from a veritable two-man orchestra!"

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A gig held at The Jam Jar on Friday 5th June. The event starts at 20:30.


Madalitso Band is a two-man musical army from Malawi whose uplifting performance and infectious energy have crowds dancing and beaming with wonder every time.

Intuitive, authentic, and full of ruthless rhythms, this vibrant, street-performing duo has taken Europe by storm. Discovered busking outside a shopping centre in 2009, their dynamic playing, strong harmonious vocals and traditional style caught the world’s attention fast. Madalitso will make you clap, dance, smile, and rethink everything you thought you knew about African sound and instrumentation. 

The Jam Jar presents: Madalitso Band
+ Hi Life Hi Fi
+ Film teaser screening of The Banjo Boys with Q&A
Friday 5th June
at The Jam Jar, Bristol
Doors Open 8pm

The band plays a home-made version of a babatone—a popular instrument in Malawi—and the four-string guitar, creating the traditional Malawi banjo sound.

Their first album was produced by Bongo Joe Records, and the band has been featured on BBC Africa and has performed at Womex 2020, Womad 2019, Roskilde 2018, Sauti Za Busara 2017, and many more.



Entry requirements: 18+

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