MTN Bushfire is very excited to announce the headline act for 2022, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. This high-energy act from Nigeria will join dozens of artists from across Africa and around the world on the various stages from 27 – 29 May 2022. The full line-up will be revealed next week!
Rooted in Africa and yet globally inclusive, MTN Bushfire’s line-up has always embraced the eccentric and unearthed the eclectic. Music, dance, spoken word – all forms of creative expression engage and enlighten us with powerful messages and memorable performances.
In true MTN Bushfire style, the line-up this year will feature a wholesome and family-friendly mix of pan-African and international artists from across different genres who do more than simply entertain but use their art as a powerful form of creative expression.
Headlining act Seun Kuti will be right at home on the MTN Bushfire Main Stage. Kuti is the youngest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti and at the age of 14 years old, assumed the role as leader of the Egypt 80 band. Ever since, Seun has followed the political and social ethos of his father. Along the way, he began to add his own twist to the music, digging deep into various African traditions to reflect the continent’s struggles and cultures. Egypt 80 is a 14-piece band that performs with a visceral intensity that has wowed audiences all over the world. About three quarters of the current Egypt 80 line-up consists of musicians that not only played with Fela Kuti, but often were arrested and harassed alongside the founder of the Afrobeat movement.
As has become the norm at MTN Bushfire, music fans will find an eclectic combination of the names they know and love, as well as newer acts and artists from around Africa and beyond. Discovering new artists and music styles is one of the highlights of every MTN Bushfire weekend. More artists will be announced in the weeks to come, but already the MTN Bushfire 2022 line-up promises to exceed expectations.
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 will headline the MTN Bushfire Main Stage, just one of the stages at MTN Bushfire along with the House on Fire Amphitheatre Stage, and the Ballantine’s Firefly Stage. Beloved Eswatini artist Sands will perform as well as his MTN Bushfire Collab partner The One Who Sings, better known to many as Zolani Mahola of Freshlyground fame.
The world-renowned and celebrated Ndlovu Youth Choir, as well as top South African acts Nasty C, The Kiffness, Blk Jks, Sun-EL Musician, DBN Gogo, and Msaki are just some of the well-known artists to be announced.
Joining this amazing range of artists from further afield will be Aurus, A visually and sonically compelling act steeped in the unusual combination of Creole and English lyrics from Reunion Island, Blindsmyth from Germany who crosses between deep electronic soundscapes and experimental pop music, Bnnyhunna a Netherlands based multi-disciplinary and visionary artist who has Ghanian roots, and Eritrea-born vocalist Rimon who has built her name on emotive songwriting and a rich vocal style, blending elements of hip-hop, neo-soul, and dancehall.
The following diverse range of acts that hail from across Africa and beyond have also been confirmed for the various stages with more announcements to follow soon.
!Sooks (SD)
BONJ (SA)
Culoe De Song (SA)
Khole (SD)
Leomile (LE)
Mandisi Dyantyis (SA)
Moticoma (MOZ)
Hot Water (SA)
Mpho Sebina (Bots)
Nana (SD)
Additionally, MTN Bushfire Festival fans can also expect the usual diverse range of arts, culture, and family friendly activities, performances and activations. This year’s line-up will also include theatre, comedy, dance and of course the ever-popular Artisanal marketplace, Food Village, and Kidzone.
Look out for further exciting acts to be announced on the MTN Ayoba channel and @mtnbushfire on social media.
Tickets & Covid Protocols
Phase 1 tickets have sold out and full-price Phase 2 tickets are now available for purchase through the MTN Bushfire website. Tickets are selling fast, so don’t miss out on the chance to purchase tickets for the 2022 festival now!
Residents in Eswatini can now purchase tickets with MTN Mobile Money! Check out MTN Bushfire or MTN social media to find out how.
As one of the COVID-19 safety protocols, festivalgoers will be required to provide a valid certificate of full vaccination against Covid-19 to enter the festival grounds. This is a requirement for all ages eligible for vaccination in fetivalgoers’ country of residence; a valid ticket alone will not be enough to gain entry.
Holders of 2020 tickets are assured that their tickets remain valid for the 2022 festival and will be honoured. Please note that 2020 tickets will not remain valid past the 2022 festival.
