Sand fest is back

This weekend, all roads lead to Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima where, once again, the sandy beaches of Lake Malawi become the setting for activities that make up the Sand Festival.

It is a time that local and international fun lovers get a rare opportunity to add to the beats that characterise the event picturesque crystal clear waters, beautiful weather, laid back atmosphere and the flair.

Here comes a slice of aural paradise, a perfect weekend get away.

Last year, the same event created history as almost 7 000 fans trooped from far and wide to watch Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist Busy Signal perform.

This was after years of disappointment for the fans as some international acts billed to perform never showed up. South Africa’s Big Nuz comes to mind in relation to this.

“It is our mission to beat our previous effort in a bigger and better way. We are certain this year’s festival will continue from where we left in 2015 and go beyond organisation, the line-up of artists and everything,” said festival founder Lucius Banda of Impakt Events.

The festival is proving an event to which many organise pilgrimages. Music is first and last here—fans come to watch big names perform and end up discovering a bunch of new acts.

Looking at the number of patrons and artists trickling in from the entire Southern African region and beyond, the fete has gained its place as an international festival.

This year, it has attracted performers from four countries.

“What makes this year’s festival stand out of the ordinary is that, for the first time, it offers diverse combination. We have so many international artists unlike in the past when we had one from South Africa or Jamaica. Secondly, the artists we are talking about are of high calibre,” added Banda.

Among this year’s set are Tanzania’s fast rising star Diamond Platinumz, South Africa’s Zinhle Ngidi, Jamaica’s Turbulence and Zambia’s Organised Family and General Kanene.

“Diamond arrives on Friday. We are lucky he arrives a day earlier because he was supposed to have a show in Zimbabwe which has been postponed. So, we will have him a day earlier. He is coming with a 16-piece band, ready for the show,” said Banda.

Turbulence and a Ngidi of the Shumaya hit were scheduled to arrive yesterday.

The two are scheduled to headline the opening day; thus, those planning to trek to Salima later than today will miss out.

Banda added that local artists scheduled to perform on Friday include himself, Soul Raiders, Nepman, Sam Simakweli and Dan Lu. Several disc jockeys (DJs), including Zambia’s Cosmo, are also expected to be on show.

Saturday will see the likes of Thoko Katimba, Ethel Kamwendo-Banda, the Great Angels Choir, Alleluya Band, Dan Lu, Tay Grin and Lulu performing.

“Diamond is our key performer on this day and will be joined by Organised Family. Anthony Makondetsa and the Black Missionaries will close the show.

“Those scheduled to perform on Sunday include Edgar ndi Davis, a Gide [Giddes Chalamanda] and General Kanene. We see a festival going up to Monday morning,” said Banda.

The event has attracted sponsorship from TNM, National Bank of Malawi, Sunbird Malawi Limited, Carlsberg Malawi Limited, Nyasa Manufacturing Company, MultiChoice Malawi, National Aids Commission and DHL.

“We are still struggling with those that want to reap where they did not sow. That is why we have gone flat out with the e-ticketing system. The problem is that not all that want to go to the event are using Airtel Money, Mpamba or MO626,” added Banda. n