Wycliffe Chimwendo makes stage comeback
By Chris Loka, Contributor:
Veteran gospel musician Wycliff Chimwendo on New Year’s Day performed at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, where he spiced up a concert which Great Angels Choir organised.
Initially, Great Angels Choir planned the concert on Christmas Day but hosted it on New Year’s Day.
Chimwendo, who recently released songs and is on the verge of releasing a new album, performed at BICC after a nine-year break.
He said the album would be ready this year.
The two promotional singles that are on the market are ‘Teletu’, and ‘Sionse’, which were produced by Steve Meleka and Grecium Mokwena in Blantyre.
His long break proved key as he jumped to the stage with the freshness that excited the audience as he dished out some of his well-known numbers such as ‘Afafaniza’ and ‘Wanga Ndi Yesu’.
The veteran musician, who is also Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) Board Chairperson, said he was overwhelmed with the response that the audience gave him.
“It was a great event. I thought people have forgotten me, especially that I have been out for a long time. Again, you have more up-and-coming artists on the ground taking up the space. But many responded to my songs by singing along,” Chimwendo said.
The musician said he used what he called sabbatical leave to take time to engage in school and pastoral work.
Apart from headliners Great Angels Choir, Chimwendo shared the stage with artists such as Miracle Chinga, Rudo Mkukupa Chakwera and Anthony Makondetsa.
Mada Saiti, who patronised the show, said he was impressed with the performances on the day.
“I am happy with what I saw this afternoon. We needed to start a New Year in such a way,” Saiti said.
Great Angels Choir Music Director Ephraim Zonda said they came up with a line-up of different artists for them to appeal to everyone.
“This is why we had artists such as Wycliffe Chimwendo, Miracle Chinga and Anthony Makondetsa, among others. This is what people should anticipate in 2021 as well as a new album,” Zonda said.
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