The Lake of Stars Festival is more than just a music festival; it’s a cultural movement that has been bringing people together from around the world since 2004.

Music Exchange has been invited to speak as a panelist at the workshops at Fish Eagle Bay Lodge.

Special thanks to Malawi Airlines as the festivals official Homegrown Airline Partner, proudly Malawian, soaring with our flag and flying  stars to the festival.

Topics to be discussed at the workshops include 

Cracking the Code: Music Business & Intellectual Property – practical insights on protecting creative work, collaboration frameworks, and monetisation strategies

Roots & Rhythms: Preserving Identity Through Folklore – exploring the cultural value of traditional music, handmade instruments, and community heritage

Behind the Scenes: The Festival Economy – unpacking the logistics, local impact, and broader economic value of festivals

 Founded by Will Jameson, the festival was inspired by a visit to Malawi and a desire to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. 

What started as a small gathering has grown into one of Africa’s most renowned cultural events, attracting thousands of festival-goers each year.

The festival is organised by Dusty Orange Projects Et Al (DOPE), a dynamic cultural organization dedicated to harnessing the power of arts and culture to drive social and economic change in Malawi.

I know Vusi Leeuw from Sony well ,so the discussions will no doubt be enriching to attendees and I look forward to meeting the other panellists 

Listen to my interview earlier this year with Zahir from 6th June on CapeTalk about the genesis of this festival 

About Speaker Martin Myers 

Martin Myers is a UCT graduate, publicist, music manager, and founder of the non-profit company Music Exchange (MEX). He began his career in 1985 running UCT Radio, later becoming BMG/Sony Music’s Cape Town publicist for 16 years, working with both local and international artists.

In 2009, Myers established Music Exchange (#MEX), South Africa’s leading independent music conference and masterclass platform, empowering creatives with business skills to build sustainable careers in entertainment.

He has worked closely with legendary artists including Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Dr Trevor Jones, and Siphokazi Jonas, working on such  landmark events such as the 46664 Mandela Day concert in New York.

Since 2023, Myers has hosted The Business of Entertainment on CapeTalk, a weekly show exploring the creative industry’s business side through insightful interviews with top global and local talent.