Blantyre fans ‘bribe’ Alleluia Band

It was supposed to be a one-hour set, but when Alleluia Band’s Coss Chiwalo announced that the band was playing its last song, fans protested.

Noting that the protests would not pursuade the band to remain on stage, fans came up with a quick solution: splashing the band with banknotes in a desperate attempt to keep the performance going. They dubbed it ‘transport’ money’.

The trick worked as it inspired the band to play the popular gospel song popularly known as Ayambe Kumbuyoko.

This was how things turned out at Jacaranda Cultural Centre in Blantyre on Thursday night when one of the oldest bands in Malawi performed.

As soon as director of the event Waliko Makhala announced that the show was coming to an end, fans protested.

“We are ready for a phungwe[dusk to dawn show],” the patrons screamed. It was only after the fans had donated the banknotes that the band continued to play five more songs before finally taking a bow just after 9pm.

Earlier when the band was introduced on stage, it was clear that this was not an ordinary night. Wearing marching brown outfits, the band members appeared ready and eager to deliver. Their perfectly tuned musical instruments looked clean and the players well-coordinated.

In fact, one would not be blamed if they said the stage appeared too small for the revered music outfit. This was a night of fun. Alleluia Band were supported by dancing young men and women who displayed different traditional dances such as chioda and malipenga.

The band opened the set with one of their classics Mumafuna Inu Nokha followed by  Ndidzamtamanda Ambuye and Ndaona Zodabwitsa.

Coss Chiwalo introduced vocalist Blessings Taferakhasu who took over and led the performance.

Later, band leader Paul Subiri led an energetic performance, doing some of his famous songs ,including Anali ndi Cholinga, Taononga Dziko, Pang’ono Pang’ono, Ndiwe Mbale Wanga, among others.

His interactions with the patrons were on point and it was during his time that patrons filled the dance floor until the end.

Chiwalo came back to lead the performance with his songs such as Ndapita Makolo, Bwenzi Langa and Afisi aku Ntcheu. He also did a cover of Walakwa Chani by Black Missionaries Band.

He said: “We are happy to perform at Jacaranda Cultural Centre for the first time. We are happy with the response we have received from you our Blantyre fans.”

The band had Trancy Joseph, Getrude Waluso, Bakhita Kabalo, Ana Chiwalo, Vincent Liwanda, Mwai Willie, Samson Chikoti, Chifundo Chambwinja, Charles Mbidzi Mafikeni, Paul Subiri, Blessings Taferakhasu and Coss Chiwalo.

At the end of the performance, Chiwalo thanked patrons for gracing the occasion and giving the band a warm welcome.

In random interviews, patrons expressed satisfaction with the highly-patronised event, saying they got more than what they expected.

“The fact that they have been around for over 30 years is clearly showing. This is probably one of the most memorable performances at Jacaranda,” said Mary Hiwa, a patron.

Another fan, King Lipipa said the band should be invited frequently to the Jacaranda stage to show young ones how music is done.

“You can see their level of discipline as a band. Their performance also shows that practice makes perfect. These guys practise a lot,” he said.