Linking music venues across East London and the small east African nation, Lake of Stars Malawi International Arts Festival is a festival like no other.

Held every September on the shores of Lake Malawi, the event brings together musicians, artists and festival goers from Malawi, the UK and beyond, to enjoy the music, soak up the atmosphere and savour Malawi’s unique culture.

The brainchild of Will Jameson, the festival itself has been running for eight years and is now Malawi’s number one annual tourist event. The 2010 festival generated more than $1,000,000 of local spend, and employed more than a hundred local people.

Last year’s festival featured more than 80 acts including Foals, Goldierocks and Vampire Weekend’s Baio and received rave reviews from the music press, as well as support from organisations keen to promote a positive image of African arts, people and tourism destinations.

When not in Malawi, the London-based team holds a number of fundraising events in the capital throughout the year.

Their 2011 Market Club on Sundays at RichMix combined market stalls, sport and music, and club nights have also been staged at the Union Chapel, Paradise and East Village.

The Lake of Stars Festival will return to Malawi later this year [update: festival will no longer take place in 2012 but will return in 2013], along with various nights of live music across London. Check the Lake of Stars Festival website for future dates.