Applications are now open for artists looking to perform at the 18th edition of the MTN Bushfire international festival of the arts, which will take place from May 30th to June 1st, 2025, at House On Fire in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The festival, renowned for its eclectic and inclusive line-up, is calling for artists of the highest calibre who embody the festival’s mission of celebrating creative expression while promoting social responsibility and inclusion.

Artists interested in performing can apply by completing the application form available on the Artists page of the MTN Bushfire website at www.bush-fire.com. Applications close on October 11th, 2024.

MTN Bushfire is known for its diverse musical styles and genres, embracing a wide range of Pan-African and international artists who use their art as a powerful form of creative advocacy. The festival’s multidisciplinary program features an eclectic mix of live music, DJs, dance, theatre, puppetry, poetry, roving performances, art exhibitions, and film, spread across five official stages: the Main Stage, House On Fire Amphitheatre, Ballantine’s Firefly, Bring Your Fire Zone, and the family-friendly KidZone.

Recognized as one of Africa’s top festivals, MTN Bushfire has been named a “Top African Festival” by the BBC, featured by CNN as one of the “7 African music festivals you really have to see,” and won the Most Responsible Event Award at the WTM African Responsible Tourism Awards in 2017. But MTN Bushfire is more than just a music festival; it’s a movement. With its #BRINGYOURFIRE campaign, the festival calls on participants to ignite action for positive social and environmental change, and it’s deeply involved in a range of social and arts development initiatives.

The festival attracts over 23,000 attendees from more than 55 countries to the scenic Malkerns Valley of Eswatini for a vibrant weekend that celebrates the music and arts of Africa and beyond.

For updates on the 2025 festival, follow @mtnbushfire on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, subscribe to the MTN Bushfire channel on the Ayoba app (available at www.Ayoba.me), and sign up for email alerts on the official website.