Lake Malawi dances to Sena jive
The Sunbird Sand Festival was envisioned to be a celebration of Malawian music, but it was not spared the two-pronged competition underlying Shire Valley vibes.
Typical of the movers and shakers of the Lower Shire beat, Agorosso and Nyandoro put up superb acoustic acts that left the crowd with eyes wide at a carnival where dancing was previously the common measure and expression of merriment.
First to jump on stage was Agorosso (real name Lloyd Phaundi) and company. His threesome dealt onlookers with five fusions of Sena traditional beats and Afro-jazz that unmistakably separated him from the bandwagon of locals who stunned the crowd with ragga, reggae, hip hop, rap, kwaito and many more
However, it was the folklore fusions of Nyandoro (Stanley Mthenga) and Sena Jive (Seji) Vibrations which left the audience quieter, thanks to his newfound acoustic beats that marked the danceable tune of Sena Jive which made him the most famous Malawian musician on the defunct TV Africa 10 years ago.
Nyandoro earned his appearance at Sunbird Nkopola after criticising festival makers of using the same names that threaten to make the events monotonous and irrelevant.
“I thank the organisers for giving me a chance to showcase my folklore fusions on a stage which brought together a diversity of touches from different parts of the country. It was a learning experience,†said Mthenga.
He performed Udzakhalapo, Leka Upoka, Amati Ndani, Binji na Mkazi Ache and Black Soul.
He described Agorosso—who impressed with Mulungu Dalitsani Malawi, a folk rendition of the national anthem—as probably the best musician in the country and with the potential to break through even beyond the borders.
Likewise, the festival also saw top-sellers Moses Makawa and Katelere Ching’oma coming back to back on a big stage overlooking a different class of people from the one who patronise their music.
