Robins Park proves too small for Great Angels

Gospel music lovers in Blantyre on Sunday afternoon sent a different message about Robin’s Park: the venue is too small for Great Angels Choir.

Despite having a big ground floor for dancing plus the lower and upper auditoriums, the space was not enough to accommodate thousands of music lovers who trekked to the hall to watch the best in gospel music.

The venue was packed beyond capacity and it was not surprising to see some fans standing at the entrance at the end of the show in a bid to unite with their associates lost in the dancing throng.

Inside the hall, patrons were soaked in sweat not only as a result of the dancing, but also because the venue’s ventilation system failed the test.

Nonetheless, the well managed show registered no casualty according to the choir.

The security officers ensured safety for patrons despite accommodating some excited fans who connected to the show from the UDF manifesto launch that took place about a kilometre away at Njamba Freedom Park.

In the hall, it was serious business as the Rolling Sounds, which backed all the performances, played to their best.

The performances began on a slow note with performances by POV, but immediately picked up as the appetising list composed of Thoko Katimba, Favoured Martha, Limbani Simenti, Ethel Kamwendo-Banda, Mlaka Maliro, Marvelous Deeds, Kamuzu Barracks Gospel Singers and Ndirande Anglican Voices could not afford to disappoint.

Great Angels Choir music director Ephraim Zonda was short of words, saying the patronage was one of the largest ever.

“God is doing miracles to us. We had about 1 000 patrons in Zomba on Saturday and over 2 500 in Blantyre. It is not a mean achievement. We know the message is that we are doing fine and we promise to maintain the pace,” he said.

Zonda added that they also interacted with some patrons both in Zomba and Blantyre to get the fan’s expectations’ as they are finalising working on their fourth album.

“The fans have spoken, they want us to maintain our style, dwell much on in-depth messages and bring a new touch in both instrumental and messages,” said Zonda.

The choir will have its third show in Lilongwe this weekend before touring the North in two months’ time to complete their annual national tour.