Legendary musicians Giddes Chalamanda and Boniface Ndamera, as well as Lucky Stars Band, were the epitome of attraction on Saturday.
This happened when they shared the stage in a rare showdown during the inaugural Sounds of Malawi Festival.
Held at Nyambadwe Ground in Ndirande Township, Blantyre City, the free-of-charge festival stems from Sounds of Malawi Acoustic sessions.
The sessions are held at Alliance Francaise de Blantyre every Thursday.
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Chalamanda, better known as Agidde, has starred at the Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Session; likewise, Ndamera and Lucky Stars Band.
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So, Sounds of Malawi Festival, which will now be running annually, presented an opportunity to people to experience performances of the two legends, who were frontrunners on the day— alongside Kukana Kuba Kasambwe Band, which is based in Ndirande.
Agidde and Ndamera’s sharing of the stage at the festival reawakened memories of when they were at their peak.
“I am excited. I would like to thank Jacaranda Foundation and partners for a job well done. The younger ones have seen us and appreciated our music,” Ndamera said.
He said, despite being old-timers, they could still be invited for performances, riding in the saying that ‘old wine tastes better’.
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“The youngsters are doing well but need to learn from us. Our music is rich and full of pieces of advice. We are artists who are rooted in live music and also playing instruments,” Ndamera said.
Armed with his guitar, Ndamera and Lucky Stars Band—famed for the hit ‘Chinafuna M’bale’, which had the audience singing along—also had time to collaborate with Agidde to sign off the festival in flair.
Apart from ‘Chinafuna M’bale’, Ndamera, who has also been in the front in promoting the Shire Valley since he comes from Nsanje District, offered a number of songs, travelling with the audience across the country and showing the splendor of authentic sounds.
His performance, which warmed up for Agidde, came after patrons had enjoyed sounds of Keturah, better known as Local Girl.
Agidde—backed by his son Cliff on vocals and others—served ‘Buffalo Soldier’, ‘Liny’, ‘Che Meli’ and ‘Mkazi Ndi Mawaya’.
“I have enjoyed myself and I am happy meeting my friend Ndamera. Malawians; let us love one another; let us not be selfish and, rather, live in harmony,” the 95-year-old artist said.
The festival coincided with the release of Sounds of Malawi Volume One album, produced by United States of America Grammy Award nominee Harlan Steinberger, who was present alongside Randi.
Steinberger, through Hen House Studios and Mass Moca in partnership with Jacaranda Foundation led by Marie Da Silva and Luc Deschamps—has been influential in elevating the country’s music through, among other things, producing Keturah’s album in America and Kukana Kuba Kasambwe Band.
“Malawi is so rich in talent and I am happy to see these artists performing today through the Sounds of Malawi Festival,” he said.
Deschamps said, through the festival, they wanted to promote and preserve the country’s culture.
“Malawi has a rich music heritage which we need to promote and preserve. So, we are happy to finally launch the Sounds of Malawi Festival first edition,” he said.
Other artists who starred at the festival, which was also patronised by Blantyre City Deputy Mayor Gerald Lipikwe and former legislator Aaron Sangala, included Jacaranda African Ensemble and Jaca Kids.
