Soldier bemoans security lapse at shows

Music icon ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda has urged promoters and organisers of various public events to consider prioritizing security detail on their agenda, saying the current status leaves a lot to be desired for the good of the industry.

Banda’s remarks come in the backdrop of a weekend where he nearly had a bust-up with a fan during a show the musician had at Cambodia Club, Nchesi in Lilongwe.

According to the musician, such events are slowly taking root in many entertainment joints in the country where insults towards artists are seemingly becoming the order of the day.

But on Sunday, drama was looming when the musician momentarily abandoned the microphone to confront an irate fan [only identified as John] on the dancing floor. By this time, Soldier had only performed one song.

It all started when the fan, visibly drunk, started causing some havoc on the dance arena to the extent of fighting with a fellow patron before security personnel whisked him away.

According to the joint’s manager, Lesson Mduluza, John is said to be one of the drivers employed by the owner of the joint a Mr Nkhoma.

“He obviously had some scores to settle with his employer and hence he wanted to sabotage the show to make a statement. But that was not necessary,” Mduluza said.

Banda’s patience seemed to have been stretched to the limit when the fan started to harass and insult Banda’s team at the entrance, which coincidentally included his sister.

In a telephone interview later, the musician explained: “I think that was it. I charged towards him because I couldn’t stand a sensible man insulting a woman, let alone my sister. So, I just wanted to try and instil some sense into his head.”

But when bouncers dragged John out of the compound again, the latter started stoning the yard, leading to a wide-spread dissatisfaction from the patrons who kept urging the organisers to stop the mess.

However, peace was finally restored moments later when police were called in.

The whole episode lasted for about 45 minutes before the show resumed. Banda extended his show to around 7pm, for his loyal fans.

“I don’t see the industry surviving for long with the current situation especially with budding artists.”