The second edition of the Kumbali Live Concert captivated audiences at Kumbali Country Lodge in Lilongwe on Saturday.
The concert, sponsored by Standard Bank Plc, builds on the success of last year’s inaugural event which featured performances by Lawi, George Kalukusha, Eli Njuchi, Praise Umali and South Africa’s Amira Faku.
The sponsorship aligns with its Joy of the Arts initiative which promotes various forms of art, including music, theatre, visual arts, photography and poetry while supporting tourism and cultural exchange.
The show had a VVIP Section where the audience enjoyed Standard Bank experience with food and an open bar.
Kalukusha kicked off the night with an engaging set, setting the tone for the evening. Praise Umali followed, thrilling the audience with his popular tracks, including Tiyeni which saw Zeze Kingston joining on stage.
Eli Njuchi then took over, building the energy even higher before leaving the stage for Lawi who performed crowd favourites such as Lilongwe and Therere. A standout moment was when Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule joined Lawi on stage as she sang his song Fesa.
Simmy closed the night in style, taking to the stage after Lawi’s set. Dressed in a denim top and mini-skirt with a striking afro-hairstyle, she made the crowd dance and sing along.
In an interview, Lawi hailed Standard Bank for the performance.
“The growth that we want in our arts and culture industries depends on the willingness of the corporate world to invest and be part of the journey. We are grateful to Standard Bank for setting a great example and championing the cause,” he said.
The Lilongwe hitmaker added that the blending of local and international acts is crucial to the growth of music in Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
Standard Bank increased this year’s sponsorship from K30 million in 2023 to K40 Million. The bank’s head of brand and marketing Tamanda N’gombe said: “At Standard Bank, we are committed to fostering cultural exchange, promoting local talent and providing a platform for artists to showcase their work.”
