Fun seekers in Malawi’s southern district of Balaka were on Tuesday treated to a buffet of music entertainment when the country’s oldest surviving music group, Alleluya band thrilled fans at Mangondo Lodge.
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| Alleluya Band members. Photo by Bartholomew Boaz |
This show was organised as part of Mothers Day celebrations. People who thronged the venue were left mouth agape with a one-and-half hour non-stop performance by the country’s music legend Sir Paul Banda.
Paul, who stepped onto stage accompanied by his long-time friend in music, guitarist Samson Chikoti, dished numbers from his previous albums among them Malilime, Mtendere and Chikondi.
To the disbelief of many fans Paul, who was to celebrate his 50th birthday, the following day [16th October, 2013], kept pulling one song after the other with more energy. He then pulled a joke about others who claimed that he only performs few songs before he tires.
“Ndikufuna mukanene zoona mukapita. Anthu akhala akunena kuti ndimangoimba nyimbo ziwiri kenako ndimakomoka mwaona akundikupiza pano?” [I want you to tell the truth when you go. People have said I just perform two songs only and I faint, have I?],” asked Paul, to which the audience chorused a big NO.
After a long thrilling performance that glued fans to the dance floor, he paved way for Coss Chiwalo who gave renditions of Afisi aku Ntcheu and other songs. Other performers included Paul Subiri and Mafukeni Mbidzi.
“This was a great performance from Alleluya band,” said one fan Benson Mkwapatira. “It was not even worthy the K500 people paid. This was just great,” he said.
Chiwalo assured the home fans that Alleluya band will arrange more shows for the people of Balaka.
On November 9, 2013, Alleluya celebrates 35 years of existence and to mark the celebrations, the band will perform at Andiamo ground.
According to the band’s website, www.alleluyaband.org other supporting artists who will perform are Ben Mankhamba, Paul Banda, Lucius Banda, Alleluya Band 2, the Black Missionaries (subject to confirmation by them), and many more.
