The Very Best on the move
MUSICAL group The Very Best which is a collaboration between London -based D J / production duo Radioclit and the country’s musician Esau Mwamwaya starts its assignments with performances in Ireland and Dublin.
The group was on a break but Mwamwaya who has since left the country said UK and Ireland should tighten their belts as they will bath to more Malawian vibes during their performances.
The Very Best which has had stints at The Lake of Stars Festival has been described as an Afro- Western mix of dance, hip-hop, pop, and the traditional music of Malawi.
“We have a few gigs but the main ones are Latitude and Longitude Festivals. Latitude is a UK festival and Longitude is an Irish Festival but both organised by same people,” Mwamwaya said.
He said they will be playing in UK on July 15 before dating Ireland on July 16.
“We will be opening and performing together with an English band known as Mumford and Sons at both festivals.,” Mwamwaya said.
He added that they will be rehearsing as well as start recording their new album at their newly built studio called Electric Beach Studios in Margate, Kent after the tour.
“I can’t wait to get on stage and do Malawian magic. There are more Malawians in Dublin so I will use this opportunity to entertain them and bring them closer home. As The Very Best we are finally ready to play at the Longitude Festival in Dublin, Ireland for the first time ever,” said the Malawian star.
With Mwamwaya as the lead singer, The Very Best has won the hearts of many outside the country during different festivals but surprisingly are not keenly followed in Malawi.
B o r n i n M z u z u , Mwamwaya grew up in Lilongwe, where he played drums in various bands.
According to available information, he played with numerous artists, including Masaka Band and late Evison Matafale.
In 1999, he moved to London and while running a second-hand furniture shop in Clapton, East London, Mwamwaya sold a bicycle to the producer from the band Radioclit, Etienne Tron.
Radioclit ’s studio was on the same street as Mwamwaya’s shop, and eventually, the Malawian singer became friends with both Tron and Johan Karlberg aka Radioclit.
In 2008, the three men worked together to create a project known as The Very Best, releasing a critically lauded free mixtape through the label Green Owl.
The mixtape features samples and collaborations with other indie artists, including M.I.A., Vampire Weekend, Architecture in Helsinki, BLK JKS, Santigold and The Ruby Suns.
The Very Best produced their first full-length album, Warm Heart of Africa, which was released digitally in August 2009 and released physically in October 2009 by Green Owl and Moshi Moshi. The album features collaborations with Ezra Koenig and M.I.A..
The title track from the album, Warm Heart of Africa, won the World Beat Song award at the 9th Annual Independent Music Awards.
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