Lilongwe Golf Club hosts Old versus New
The holiday is over for most artists and Impakt Events has organised its first major event; a music show involving veteran and up-and-coming artists in Lilongwe this Saturday.
The concert, to be held at the green grasses of Lilongwe Golf Club, has attracted an array of some of the most sought-after music acts drawn from the two divides of old and new. The event marks the start of a fundraising drive for the 10th anniversary of the Sand Music Festival.
The old guard will be represented by ‘Sir’ Paul Banda, Rod Valamanja, Lucius Banda, Paul Subili, Isaac Liwotcha, Charles Sinetre, Patrick Tung’ande, and Coss Chiwalo.
The urban block has reggae group Black Missionaries Band, Saint, 2019 Urban Music People (UMP) artist-of-the-year Wikise, dancehall group Malinga Mafia, John Zembani Banda, Chisomo Golombe, Nepman, Dan Lu, Mr Friday and Anthony Makondetsa.
Zembani Band leader Sam Smacks will also be in attendance.
Impact Events director Lucius Banda in an interview said the concept aims at getting rid of some imaginary boundaries some sectors within the music circles have set for themselves. He said the local music sector is selective when organising events.
He said it is important that both new and old artists get familiar with each other so they can tap from each other’s strong qualities, thereby broadening the industry’s potential.
Commenting on the fundraising drive, the artist said it is time musicians learnt to reduce their over-reliance on companies for their events such as festivals because of the unpredictable nature of the economy.
One of the artists billed to perform during the Saturday event, Wikise, who has become a darling of many local music followers, said he is ready to represent the younger generation during the concert.
He said: “This is a big opportunity for people from our generation to come and appreciate how the veterans used to do it. I hope we will learn a thing or two from them.”
Black Missionaries manager Ray Harawa, whose group last performed on New Year’s Day at Ozone Refreshment Centre in Blantyre before going on recess, said they are refreshed and recharged for their 2020 engagements.
Lilongwe Golf Club general manager Medson Roka said they want to position themselves as prime hosts of live music events in Malawi.
