Moon Rock Festival excites Mawanga
Peter Mawanga is over the moon with his starring role at the Moon Rock Festival, describing it as a singular honour.
During the festival in the northern Malawi district of Nkhata Bay next week, the Amakhala ku Blantyre star and his Amaravi Band will lead a playlist of 14 Malawian artists, including Mafilika, Body, Mind and Soul, Music Crossroads Band, Konkalazi Band, Sally Nyundo, Young Chilaga’s Black Survivors, Soul Raiders, the Rainmaker, Malingaka and North Side Connection.
“It is a privilege and honour for me and the Amaravi Band to headline the Moon Rock Festival. We have been doing rehearsals for a long time whether with a show in hand or not. I am looking forward to enjoying with Malawians since we have a new member in the group who plays a traditional instrument called Sansi,†said Mawanga.
This will be the first time Amaravi will be performing with a thumb piano, he said.
He counts it “pretty a challenge†because nearly all bands on the list play similar music to their Afro-vibes.
According to Wilderness Safaris Malawi (WSM) marketing manager Roshenka de Mel, the local cast will use the same stage as South Africa Idols finalist Mark Haze.
“The festival will be a celebration of local musical talent and will feature artists, DJs and bands from across Malawi, at the very place where Lake of Stars began—Chintheche Inn,†said Mel.
The festival will benefit Children in the Wilderness, an environmental education and life skills programme under the patronage of Wilderness Safaris and other sponsors.
