Lilongwe Music and Arts Festival launched
Music fanatics from all walks of life flocked to Lilongwe Golf Club on Friday and Saturday to launch Lilongwe Music Arts Festival (Lifest) which advocates mental health awareness and issues to deal with gender-based violence.
The festival was one of its kind as it featured some of the best international artists such as Joeboy from Nigeria, Shekhinah from South Africa, Chris Martin from Jamaica and local artists, including Kell Kay, Faith Mussa, Gwamba, Luki, Kim of Diamond, Patience Namadingo, Mitengeli, Black Missionaries, Praise Umali, Suffix and Tay Grin.
On both days, the fans came in large numbers to support their favourite artists and have fun.
The festival, which was hosted by the award-winning presenter Joy Nathu and female rapper Rina, was supposed to start at 1pm on Friday, but started later at around 6pm.
Quest opened the show with his songs then later more local artists such as Charisma, Kim of Diamonds, George Kalukusha, Dorn Tarz, Janta and Faith Mussa performed.
At around 22: 40 Shekhinah walked on stage dressed in black while fans chanted her name. She gave out a beautiful and energetic performance which left her fans asking for more.
Other acts of the night were Nigerian Joeboy who dished out more than 10 songs including Nobody, Vibration, Follow Me and his new single Alcohol.
On Saturday, more people came and enjoyed the good vibes from Malinga, Eli Njuchi, Kell Kay, Praise Umali and Patience Namadingo before the Jamaican musician Chris Martin appeared on stage.
At exactly 1.41am, Malawian reggae artist Queen Fyah introduced Chris Martin.
The Jamaican artists and his band did not disappoint as they gave out an impressive performance and interacted with fans on stage.
He said: “I have been waiting for 10 good years to come to Malawi and meet you my fans. Now I know why I was delayed. It is because I was not ready for your love. Malawians, your love for me is just too much and this will not be the last to come here because I love you for supporting my songs.”
Chris Martin ended his little speech by screaming in vernacular “Ipatse Moto Malawi”. His performance lasted three hours.
Some of the songs he performed included See You Later, Don’t Love Me Later, Things Change and Cheat On My Girlfriend.
Lifest is a two-day event that aims at engaging artists in the fight against gender-based violence and addressing mental health issues using their talents.
