Two facets of the human being – fragility and passion— dominated the scene during the Malawi Institute of Tourism (MIT) Social Weekend held in Blantyre Saturday evening.
During an entertainment-starved weekend in Blantyre, patrons started flocking to Mit campus as early as 6 pm, setting the mood for an eventful night characterised by free style dancing displays and energy-laden musical performances by DNA of ‘Ukandipepesere’ fame, Piksy, Blak Jak, the Dare Devils, Blaze, M Twice, Dali and Mit Ladies.
As early as 7 pm, the fragile nature of human temper surfaced as some patrons, apparently flying high on the wings of alcohol, exchanged blows in front of the stage. But such incidents were as far between as security was tight.
Mit Ladies warmed the stage with ‘College Number One’, before the Dare Devils—fronting GD and Marcus, and ably supported by Zeze— set the serious-business-ball rolling with a typical display of poetic lyricism when they performed ‘Ukudziwa Kale’ and ‘Khala Pansi’ on the open-air stage.
‘Ukudziwa Kale’ is a sanctuary crammed with the self-admission that the Dare Devils are better than anyone else of their musical ilk. As GD, Marcus and Zeze sung the refrain Ukudziwa kale/Ukudziwa kale, some of the patrons could not do otherwise but jump on stage.
Granted, the Dare Devils are a post-democracy outfit, but one cannot be faulted for saying that the duo went down the ‘memory lane’ when they performed ‘Khala Pansi’. The track, which foretells the inevitable crumbling of those who dare imitate the duo, was well received as some patrons sang along while a few disgruntled ones invaded the stage.
It could be said stage invasion and a braai-perfumed atmosphere were some of the unannounced ‘performers’ that evening
Nevertheless, director of ceremonies Panther persistently complained about stage intrusion, but said nothing about the braai aroma that added a salivating flavour to the atmosphere.
Blaze was next in line and he performed two tracks including ‘Akazanga ndi dhilu’. This is the story of a male persona who cannot derive any sense of satisfaction from anyone else other than his wife.
He was followed by M Twice, who dished out ‘Undipatse mpata’, a track which depicts a discarded lover who eats humble pie and asks for the proverbial second chance. It is not clear whether the offended lover will respond in kind, or flight.
But M Twice nearly spoiled things when he fell into the trap of giving a eulogy at a wedding party by singing about a persona who tearfully asks for a favour from dear mum. Panther lost his patience:
“Nyimbo zodandaula pano ayi [Do not play music that invokes sad feelings]”, said Panther.
DNA’s turn, as people always knew, came and the gangly artist performed ‘Ukandipepesere’. In it, a persona realises that only mediators can stand as a bridge between a disappointing lover and disappointed lover.
Piksy must have known that there was no chance for stage sleaziness and, visibly on top of his game, set the venue ablaze with tracks such as ‘Amakhala Kumudzi’, ‘Uncle Short One’ and ‘Ponya mwendo’.
He was the only artist to be invited back on the stage, by popular demand.
By 11 pm, the frame of Blak Jak loomed large backstage and it was anybody’s guess as to who would be next on stage. The artist did not follow a familiar script because ‘Wadya iwe’ was not on the performance menu that evening.
But perform he did, and ‘Yes or no’, ‘Tumpale’ – a hit that put the defunct Nyasa Guruz on the national map— were some of the four tracks he dished out.
It can be said that the blackout that blighted the bright atmosphere for some ten minutes did not kill the live mood that characterised the event.
No wonder, GD sang praises for the organisers.
“It was a good show in the sense that this was the first time a lot of musicians shared the stage— some for the first time,” said GD.
Blak Jak shared similar sentiments.
“Of course, they could have done better but, overall, it was cool and fine,” said Blak Jak.
He is, maybe, referring to the half-full dancing area.
Again, during an evening characterised by a cool breeze, it can be said that the only performance-related ‘cool breeze’ to the Mit lively atmosphere was the lack of variety. It was music throughout.
All music without poetry, jokes, comedy, and what have you, is a sure way of making the proverbial Jim a dull persona.
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