Fun-seekers are spoilt for choice this weekend with two big music festivals happening about 250 kilometres apart.
In Mangochi, the Sand Music Festival is set to make a comeback on the shores of Lake Malawi after a two-year break, while in Lilongwe, the Kumbali Live concert is also on the cards.
The SandFest will take place from Friday to Saturday at KingFisher Inn in Mangochi District, organisers Impakt Events Management, said the comeback will solidify the event’s legacy in Malawi’s cultural and entertainment history.
In an interview yesterday, Impakt Events Management lead coordinator Yamikani Chinguwo said since the event rolled over 13 years ago, it has positioned itself to support the next generation of artists, adding that they are maintaining the trend by giving up-and-coming artists supporting slots, DJ showcases and collaborations.
“If you look at the history of the event, many artists who first appeared on the SandFest platform have achieved a lot. We have deliberately programmed the event to combine emerging artists alongside the established names,” he said.
Chinguwo said through ticket sales, sponsorships, vendor opportunities, hospitality and transport services, artist bookings and community supplies, the event injects a meaningful value into the performing arts and tourism sectors.
This year, the festival will be held from Friday evening to the early hours of Sunday with Zambian Afro-dance artist Yo Maps is the only international headliner.
The festival has been sponsored by HS Winehouse Beverages and Hospitality under the CapeStars alcoholic spirits brand and in a separate interview yesterday, the company’s finance director Rachel Mijiga said the festival is the biggest asset in marketing Malawi’s tourism.
She said: “SandFest will clock 15 years this year. It has become a defining event for marketing the arts in general and music in particular. It is the ultimate entertainment experience in Malawi because of the exceptional feel of having fun while on the beaches of Lake Malawi.”
The SandFest has not taken place since the death of Impakt Events Management founder and former director ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda two years ago.
Some of the artists expected to perform at the festival include Kell Kay, Zeze Kingston, Joe Ikon, Theresa Phondo, Zembani Band, Makasu Band, Phyzix, Piksy, Old Xool Reunion Crew, Skeffa Chimoto and Driemo.
On the other hand, former vocalist of the award-winning Kenyan music outfit Bien will headline the Live at Kumbali Concert scheduled for Kumbali Castle in Lilongwe on Saturday.
Live at Kumbali artist curator and organiser George Kalukusha said preparations for the event are on course despite uncertainties over the prevailing situation of fuel shortages.
He said they are also working with partners to arrange shuttle services from City Centre to Kumbali Castle to help patrons access the venue.
“We urge people to plan their attendance in advance. We hope the government will act in time to address the fuel scarcity. We are putting up the stage today and we are still hoping for the best and that nothing will disrupt the preparations,” said Kalukusha.
VIP tickets for the show have currently sold out leaving only standard tickets available, which organisers are hoping will sell out in the coming days.
Kalukusha said they are expecting attendance to be comparable to last year’s event, when demand was high that some people were turned away.
Other performers at the event include Driemo, Maggie Kadrum, Praise Umali, Sangwani and Isabelle King.
Commenting on the clashing of events, arts enthusiast Sam Chiwaka said there is need to sanatise the entertainment industry to avoid such outcomes.
“Malawi needs to borrow a leaf from how things are conducted in Zambia where government controls tourism-related events. If there can be sanity everyone can get a piece of the pie. Government can also benefit from that set-up by collecting levies and issuing licences to event managers,” he said.
The SandFest was initially scheduled to take place on Septermber 25 to 28 but changed dates due to non-availability of some of the performing acts.
