Musician Eli Njuchi delivered a night to remember during the second edition of his concert dubbed the Hive Experience held at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Saturday.
The event proved to be a fitting farewell to the year as music lovers filled the auditorium.
The concert, which kicked off at 8pm, featured an exciting line-up of artists who warmed up the crowd with their energetic and heartfelt performances.
Doors opened as early as 6pm and the audience filled the venue, setting the tone for what would become a night of musical magic.
Mazani was the first to take the stage and he managed to captivate the crowd with his soft melodies.
He was followed by Maggie Ka Drum whose soul-stirring slow songs prepared the audience for an unforgettable experience. Praise Umali brought a wave of energy with performances of his popular tracks such as Time and Kutiyeni.
Other big names, including Gwamba and Lulu, took the fun to another level. Lulu performed some of his crowd favourites before Kell Kay graced the stage, delivering hits such as Nakupenda and Muchedwa, including his recent release Assurance. Kell Kay’s performance had fans singing along and swaying in unison.
Next was Driemo with his signature charm, captivating the patrons’ hearts as he paved the way for the next performer Lawi who further mesmerised the audience with his timeless hits such as Lilongwe, Therere and Nthawi Yokolola. As Lawi left the stage, it was undeniable he had left fans in awe.
Although there were slight delays between sets, the energy in the room remained high, thanks to the DJ who seamlessly covered the gaps with tracks that continuously pleased the crowd.
Once the supporting acts concluded their sets, it was time for the main event.
Eli Njuchi stepped onto the stage in grand style accompanied by an orchestra and backup singers who also added depth and flair to his performance.
The Gugugu hitmaker brought his A-game at Malawi Square within the Umodzi Park complex during that night, performing fan-favourites such as Tempolale, Malo a Zii, Phone and Ma Ine.
When he just began his set a touching moment came as he performed the track Malo a Zii which during the show was a tribute to the late musician Lucius Banda and fallen Vice-President Saulos Chilima, as their images were projected on the auditorium screen. The emotional performance struck a chord with the audience.
A highlight was when Eli Njuchi performed Ma Ine, a song celebrating his mother. The artist’s parents joined him on stage and the moment was met with a thunderous applause.
Njuchi further surprised the audience by bringing on stage artists Malceba, Charisma, Onesimus and Chizmo Njuchi who he collaborated with in his tracks
The guests’ appearance added an element of surprise, keeping fans on their toes.
Later, a dancehall interlude featuring Chizmo Njuchi, Veda Njuchi, Kellie Divine, Ace Jeezy, and Bee Jay took over the stage. Their performance brought a fresh vibe into the concert and had the audience dancing non-stop.
Eli Njuchi returned to the stage in a relaxed outfit, signaling that the show was far from over. His orchestra and backup singers elevated tracks like Duwa and Mije, keeping the audience enchanted.
The highlight of the night was when Zambian superstar Yo Maps joined Njuchi to perform their collaborative track Yabaya.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Yo Maps took the stage, bringing his own magic to the event. He performed popular hits such as Kondwa and So Money, the latter which featured Malawi’s Tay Grin.
While Yo Maps briefly stole the spotlight, it was clear the night belonged to Eli Njuchi, who closed the event with Tempolale.
“This is the concert of the year. Eli Njuchi is truly a star. What a performance,” a fan Tionge Botha said.
Speaking after the show, Eli Njuchi thanked both the audience and fellow artists for the support.
