Search for a Star takes off on high note

The Sunbird Search for a Star (SSS) season two has started with a bang as evident on the premiere of the competition on Saturday at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre.

The quality of the contestants was a mile ahead of the crop last year.

One of the judges Rudo Chakwera said she is impressed with the performance of the contestants in the premiere show ,describing it as a step ahead.

“It is very impressive. And for a first show, the quality of the show can be equivalent to the third of last year,” said Chakwera.

She pointed out that one of the major mistakes was that the contestants overdo their performances.

“Most of these contestants have potential. The problem is that they are trying too hard to impress and by doing that they mess up a performance, but it is something that we are going to advise them on when we get back,” she said.

Sponsors Sunbird Tourism Limited public relations officer Akosa Mphepo concurred with Chakwera, saying the quality of the show has improved.

“The idea of introducing studio auditions has helped in improving the quality. It was a refining process and the contestants came on stage already having a little experience of performing so they had an idea of what is expected,” said Mphepo.

The contestants gave a live performance backed by Malimba Band.

Performing as a curtain raiser, SSS voice coach Patience Namadingo performed a stand up routine throwing random jokes at the audience.

And headliner Code Sangala, who trades under the CO brand, did little to win patrons’ hearts with a performance of his songs Linda, Ndiwe and Money from his Solo album. The patrons gave a lukewarm reaction to the performance—not quite an impressive feedback for an artist who once rocked the airwaves with Kwathu ku Ndirande.