Carlsberg new year street bash wows Blantyre
A count- down into 2014 followed by fireworks was not enough for Blantyre imbibers. This time, it was different. After almost 10 years of absence, Carlsberg Malawi organised another street bash to take Blantyre fans into the New Year.
Patrons could not mind the artists calling out “Please open channel 1”, or beating the microphone and the regular sound checks as they were immersed in guzzling Carlsberg beer.
In mind was just fun and celebrating making it to 2014.
It was not easy for patrons to walk through the tightly packed crowd at the stage at Ziboliboli which was the hottest during the event and where there were live performances by musicians such as Edgar ndi Davis, Paul Banda, Lucius Banda and Skeffa Chimoto, to a stage midway Livingstone Avenue.
DJ Maya wins in DJs Chill competition
At this second stage, four DJs, Kenny Klips, DJ Mbuzi, DJ Maya and DJ Spider were battling out in the finals of Chill DJs Competition, which saw DJ Maya receiving the first prize of K300 000.He also got K50 000 for reaching the finals, which other three Djs also got.
There was still more fun if one wanted a different dose of fun as at the stage raised near Nandos.There were dancing, mic battles and other competitions where patrons won various prizes Ssuch as Carlsberg T-shirts, caps and cooler bags.
After midnight, most patrons moved to the stage that hosted musicians.
Edgar ndi Davis were the first to perform.They took to stage at around 10pm with a tribute to Giddes Chalamanda. In the song the duo praise Giddes with a Rhumba beat as the best musician in the country. Skeffa took over with his energetic dancing antics.He performed Chinamuluma chakuda, Dalitsani wokondedwa and some of his popular tracks that got the patrons go wild.
Just minutes into the new year, Sir Paul Banda displayed prowess through his string guitar. He performed Ndikakhala pansi and Zonse ndi zabwino among others.
Closing act
Lucius was last and he performed to the break of dawn.
There was huge presence of security officers and they ensured tight security. Carlsberg made sure imbibers use plastic cups.These helped to control accidents due to bottle breakage and use in violence.
However, the two mobile toilets and temporary urinary fence could not support the thousands of patrons which forced some people to urinate on the walls of buildings near the venue.
There were no serious cases of violence and according to organisers none was reported to them.
Carlseberg also hired St John Ambulance centre which was on stand by to provide first aid treatement.
One of the patrons, Roy Chabwera said: “The street bash has given me time to get off my busy time and relax as we enter the New Year. Where was this all this time?” questioned Chabwera.
One of the organisers Jai Banda described the bash as a success, saying people enjoyed theselves and in a peaceful manner. He also hailed security officers for giving total security.
