North Malawi’s very own Gasper Nali is embarking on a remarkable UK tour featuring 21 electrifying performances, accompanied by celebrated Reggae Poet Michael Mountain.
Gasper Nali has earned acclaim from renowned publications like Songlines and RootsWorld for his distinctive and high-energy dance music, all of which is played on his handcrafted one-string Babatoni guitar. Notably, his Babatoni is believed to be the largest of its kind globally, making his instrument as unique as his talent.
Nali passionately describes his creation: “This guitar I make myself. The name is babatoni. I also bring that mgolo (large bass drum). I cut two pieces out of an old oil barrel, one for the mgolo and the other for the guitar, and then I add the bluegum (eucalyptus fretboard) and wrap them with cow skins. And I make a kick pedal to beat the drum. You cannot buy a babatoni, that’s why I make it all myself.”
Gasper Nali’s journey to becoming an internationally touring artist is an inspiring tale of resilience. Hailing from rural Northern Malawi, one of Africa’s poorest regions, Gasper originally performed alongside his two brothers, busking in nearby villages. Tragically, after the untimely passing of his brothers, Gasper took it upon himself to carry forward their musical legacy.
The turning point in Gasper’s career occurred when a video of his performance, posted on social media, garnered an astonishing 18 million views. It was then that Gasper caught the attention of music project manager Mattias Stålnacke, who collaborated with the artist to professionally record his music. Their partnership continues to thrive, boasting over 1 million streams on Spotify alone.
Gasper Nali is set to grace stages across the UK in September and October. Below, you can find the tour dates:
Tour Show Dates:
- Suffolk – John Peel Centre – October 7th
- Colchester – Colchester Arts – October 8th
- Settle – Victoria Hall – October 10th
- Bury – Bury Met – October 11th
- Hebden Bridge – Trades Club – October 12th
- Newcastle Upon Tyne – Star & Shadow Cinema – October 13th
- Glasgow – Hug & Pint – October 14th
- Brighton – The Rose Hill – October 18th
- Manchester – The Vale – October 19th
- Isle of Man – Centenary Arts – October 20th
- Whitby – Musicport Festival – October 21st
- Northampton – Gabribadi Hotel – October 22nd
- Liverpool – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall – October 25th
- Weston-super-Mare – Loves Café – October 26th
- Bristol – Lost Horizon – October 27th
- Aberystwyth – Art Centre – October 28th
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness Gasper Nali’s incredible musical journey from the shores of Malawi to the stages of the UK.
