Kenyan singer Bien lived up to expectation at the fourth edition of Live at Kumbali in Lilongwe on Saturday night where fans rejoiced to see the man whose music has travelled across Africa, first with Sauti Sol and now as a solo artist.
While patrons may have already enjoyed an evening of music and dance, they still wanted more from Bien by the time he stepped on stage at Kumbali Castle.
The concert, which started on time and with a good number of artists on the line-up, promised a good night full of entertainment from the second stage—the Summer House Stage—where Yankho, Isabel King and Sangwani entertained patrons as they settled in.
On the main stage, Tadala and Sagonjah opened the floor warming up the crowd before jazz musician Maggie Kadrum brought a different sound to the evening.
Tamba Africa Circus Malawi was next on the menu and they spiced up the music night with circus acts and traditional dances, including Beni and Ingoma.
The performances gave patrons a breather and drew them in with some joining the singing and dancing.
Praise Umali was next. He got to the stage with his guitar strapped over his shoulder, looking ready for the occasion. It was no surprise when his hit songs did the magic to get the crowd in the groove.
Bien on stage. | Wantwa Mwamlima
Among other songs he performed were Mwadalitsa, Plan, Kutiyeni, Mtima and Amen from his latest album before he bowed out.
Then Driemo kept the momentum going with his hit tracks such as Magini, Compens ation, Joker and Weniweni.
H i s performance did not fall s h o r t o f preparing the stage for the evening’s main attraction.
When Bien finally appeared on stage, the excitement around the headline act was clear in the audience.
Bien wasted little time getting the audience involved. His dance moves and vocals kept fans engaged as he moved between familiar hits from his days with Sauti Sol and his solo career.
For those who grew up listening to the Kenyan band, songs such as Suzanna, Melanin, Kuliko Jana, Extravaganza and Short n Sweet did offer a trip down memory lane.
For the most part, the performance also showed how Bien has carried that musical history into his solo career.
He went on to perform his new compositions, including I ’ l l B e Okay, Extra, Finale and All My Enemies Are Sufferin, giving the audience a taste of his own musical direction.
Being his fourth time in Malawi, the Grammy Award winner said Malawi has shown him love over the years and that returning to perform was an opportunity he wholeheartedly accepted.
Sponsored by Standard Bank plc and organised by Kumbali Castle and Pakhonde Sessions, the event confirmed Live at Kumbali’s as a platform for an authentic live music experience
