MUSICIANS Union of Malawi (Mum) Southern Chapter on Friday organised a fundraising concert dubbed the Southern Stars Concert at Mibawa Café in Blantyre which offered the audience a chance to sample music from veteran and upcoming artists.
The concert, which was the first of its kind to be organised by the chapter, also gave a chance to veteran artists to share the stage with upcoming musicians as it went all the way to the early hours of Saturday.
It was a concert which had a good concept but it was executed poorly and failed to attract a good audience. Some people, who patronised the concert, commended Mum Southern Chapter for hosting the show which apart from performances also saw artists telling their stories.
“It’s unfortunate there is poor patronage but I guess it’s to do with publicity. They did not do enough otherwise what I have sampled on stage is huge. I have also managed to learn more about some of the veteran musicians,” said one of the fans Gerald Kandulu.
It was a concert which saw some artists shining on the night showing potential that they can do more to the industry if supported.
One of the artists who shined brighter on the night was Cosby Ngumuya, who performed with Makasu Band featuring among others veterans Peter Phiri and Peter Kaulemu. Ngumuya’s sound was mature and he blended well his music which had some element of poetry fused with hip hop.
Some artists however, lacked the seriousness on stage as their acts were below par and showed that they did not train.
This was a night when veteran singer and guitarist Patrick Simakweli also performed and he got an overwhelming response from the audience when he told people that he had just turned 61 years.
Simakweli, who is a father to Zembani Band leader Sam Simakweli, has been in music for years performing with several artists and is also the former Mum South Chapter chairperson.
Earlier on Simakweli also performed with colleagues including former Kalimba Band bassist Francis Chintembo taking the audience on a jazz session.
There were also performances from Gloria Manong’a, who brought a different environment in the café offering gospel vibes, Loveness Mbeta, Slashers Band, who played cover songs from among others Bob Marley, Black Syndicate and Khuza Rampi. Lucky Stars Band led by Boniface Ndamera also had their share on the night reminding people that the group was still strong.
The group performed for some time with ‘Chinafuna Mbale,’ stealing the hearts of many and had to be replayed by public demand.
However, the audience had to wait for close to 30 minutes at some point when Ndamera’s guitar string got broken and had to be fixed. The night also saw Mum trustee Geoff Gondwe, who is also former Football Association of Malawi (Fam) president his singing prowess reminding people his good old days when he used to perform with Viphya Vibrations.
“People have always wondered how I found myself in the Mum family. I am a
musician I used to perform with Viphya Vibrations in those days and at the moment I sing at church so I am not new to music. I am happy with this event and I hope they will continue,” said Gondwe.
Other performances on the night came from Isaac Liwotcha, Ravers Band led by William Kamgoga popularly known as Malawi’s Kandabongoman and Saul Chembezi. Mum Southern Chapter Chairperson Papa Mtume bemoaned poor patronage but he said they will revisit the concert and improve it.
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