Rudolstadt Festival Tips: How to Transform Music from Mali into Festival Performances
The Rudolstadt Festival 2025 is set to be a global celebration of music, with a particular focus on Mali. The four-day event, taking place from July 3 to 6, will showcase a diverse range of world music acts, including folk and roots music from around the globe.
One of the highlights of the festival will be the Malian artists gracing the stage. Among them are Le Mali 70 Earkestra, Petit Goro, Sadio Sidibe, and Vieux Farka Touré. These artists are part of the festival's emphasis on Malian music, which forms a key component of the event's programme for 2025.
Le Mali 70 Earkestra, a Berlin-based group, travelled to Mali in 2019 to pay tribute to the heroes of Malian music from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Petit Goro, a rising star in Malian music, is known for his energetic performances and unique blend of traditional and modern styles. Sadio Sidibe, with her powerful voice, is a vocal advocate for women's and children's rights. Vieux Farka Touré, a guitar virtuoso and songwriter, is the son of Ali Farka Touré, one of the best guitarists in Africa.
Ami Yerewolo, a Malian musician, will also be performing at the festival. Her music incorporates Malian rhythms with hardcore rap and addresses topics such as empowerment, women's rights, and social injustice. She is also the founder of the first all-female festival in Mali. Ami Yerewolo's new album, "Maaya", has recently been announced.
The festival will also see Ami Yerewolo, Sadio Sidibe, and Eze, a musician, receiving honours. Ami Yerewolo will be honoured with an honorary Ruth for her folk dance promotion in the GDR at the Rudolstadt Festival 2025. Eze will receive the German World Music Award Ruth at the festival.
Other notable acts at the Rudolstadt Festival 2025 include Sanam Dubioza Kolektiv and Mine. The festival will also feature seven special concerts for night owls. Justin Adams and Mauro Durante are among the stars performing at the festival.
In addition to the live performances, the film "LeMali70" will be shown at the festival, featuring archive footage of bands from the golden age of Malian dance music. Al Bilali Soudan, a Malian band that preserves the traditional Tuareg music of Mali, and Hunter Folk & Sahel Roots, popular ethnic music acts from Mali that blend tradition with modern styles, are also part of the festival lineup.
Baba Sissoko, a Malian musician known for his Mediterranean Blues project, which blends traditional Malian music with modern styles, is another artist to watch out for at the Rudolstadt Festival 2025. With its focus on Mali and its diverse lineup of world music acts, the Rudolstadt Festival 2025 promises to be an unforgettable musical experience.
Entertainment at the Rudolstadt Festival 2025 extends beyond live performances, as the film "LeMali70" featuring archive footage of bands from the golden age of Malian dance music will also be shown. This cinematic offering complements the stage appearances of Malian musicians such as Baba Sissoko, known for his Mediterranean Blues project, which blends traditional Malian music with modern styles.
