Mtunda overwhelms Blantyre

The enforcement of drink and drive regulations has over the last few months affected the social set-up in the country.

The hefty fines for those who flout the rules have instilled fear among fun lovers and party-goers such that they would rather stay home than attend an entertainment event in town, especially at night.

But all this did not seem to matter on Friday night as fun lovers filled Comesa Hall in Blantyre during Piksy’s album launch.

Looking at the line-up of performers, one got a feeling that the excitement that filled the room was well qualified. It is not every day that you have Driemo, Eli Njuchi, Leslie, Sangie, Kell Kay and Piksy drink from one cup. The cream had come together for a common purpose.

Also present to witness the grand launch were other high profile personalities such as Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation John Bande, former mayor of Blantyre City Noel Chalamanda and music promoter Jai Banda as well as the emotional presence of Piksy’s mum and dad.

So, when co-hosts Angel Sichinga and Mphatso Chululuka announced the coming of Eli Njuchi on stage, the hall went ecstatic.

There he was, Malawi’s dancehall sensation in physical form. As he faced the huge patronage, he knew there was one demand on his shoulder, to satisfy the music appetite of his fans and that he did.

The two female artists on the line-up, Leslie and Sangie came back-to-back. Knowing that they were carrying the hopes of all the females in the hall, the two were charged and never looked like taking their feet off the gas pedal.

There was one sentimental moment though as reggae dancehall artist Sangie played Ndangozizidwa, her dedication to the departed hip hop fan-favourite-Martse.

The emotions which she oozed on stage were transmitted to the patronage and for once the patrons listened in silence in honour of Martse. R ‘n’ B artist Kell Kay also had his emotional moment on stage when he played Mwano, a duet with the fallen star.

The moment to unveil Mtunda finally came. And predictably the trending single Anana announced Piksy’s arrival on stage and he was welcomed by an outpouring loud applause.

He dished one hit after another and in a show of brotherhood Patience Namadingo joined him on stage for the rendition of Uncle Short One. It was all fun for the two.

Another magical collaboration awaited the patrons towards the end of Piksy’s stay on stage. The artist invited rapper Gwamba for the rendition of their recent duet Alleluyah and their synergy was marvellous. But the sweetest part of the show may have been saved for the last in form of a surprise performance by jazz maestro Lawi which proved to be the memory that people would take home. The Lilongwe-based artist strummed the last rhythm of the guitar to drop the curtain on an entertaining night.