Blacks, Lulu, Atoti pull huge audience at Blantyre gig
Chileka reggae group Black Missionaries alongside Anthony Makondetsa and Lilongwe-based acts Lulu and Atoti Manje performed at Club 24/7 in Blantyre on Saturday at a gig that attracted a massive audience.
The biting cold and showery weather on the night could not stop people from patronising the show.
The turnout on Saturday was probably a first since the venue opened for gigs last year.
It was also the first time for musician Atoti Manje of the ‘Che Patuma’ fame to star at the club with his Bazuka Band.
The gig started on Saturday but it went all the way to the early hours of Sunday, finishing at 5am with Black Missionaries closing the curtain.
A moment of worry however, came soon after Black Missionaries took over the stage from Makondetsa as the showers persisted thereby soaking equipment forcing the reggae group to halt its performance for close to 30 minutes for the equipment to be moved to a shade.
There were early performances coming from, among others, Yanjanani Chumbu before Lulu and Atoti took over the stage to offer their songs.
Lulu was the first representative from Lilongwe to perform and he kept the stage lively.
“I am excited to perform here with our brothers Black Missionaries. I would like to thank them for putting us on the menu. The turnout is good and I have enjoyed every moment,” Lulu, who also had a performance in Lilongwe, said.
Atoti Manje, armed with his two albums Kasakaniza Volume 1, which he released in 2010, Reggae Skudenya (2013) and a mixtape released in 2017, continued from where Lulu had left off and did not disappoint.
“This is my first time to perform here. I have not had performances in Blantyre so this is the beginning. With my band Bazooka, I will soon be going on a tour so there is more to come,” Atoti said.
Atoti paved the way for Makondetsa, who went on to drop several songs from his albums including the latest Ndagwira Mbendera.
Black Missionaries came on stage around 2am and, with a short delay of close to 30 minutes due to showers, the group compensated the audience by performing until 5am.
“We thought we should bring something different hence involving artists from Lilongwe. The support has been massive,” Blacks’ keyboardist Chizondi Fumulani said.
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