Fans react to Sandfest going local
The announcement by Impakt Events Management, organisers of the annual Sand Music Festival, that local artists will headline this year’s event has drawn mixed reactions.
An online survey to seek views from fun seekers which we conducted through our Facebook page yesterday revealed that many are in support of the idea while some expressed their reservations.
According to the survey, some people see the development as the right move which will help give Malawian artists a platform to expose their talent.
Journalist Davie Dan Mchinga wrote: “It is a good idea so long as the artists give their best. It is time to honour our local artists because if we don’t then who else will?”
Another music fan Leonard Mike said other artists such as Gwamba have proved that it is possible to have a great show without international headliners.
Rico Jay wrote: “Let us support our own talent rather than supporting those from outside the country.”
However, others feel the festival still needs international artists as patrons are used to them.
Bright Zwie said: “Zeze Kingston, Eli Njuchi, Kell Kay, Malinga and Driemo are very good artists, but we are watching them almost every weekend. We need something we don’t normally see at the festival.”
Impakt Events Management director Lucius Banda last week announced that from now on, the festival will be headlined by local acts with international artists only coming to support them.
Two international acts, Murumba Pitch from South Africa and Zambia’s Organised Family have been unveiled for the event which is slated for September 29 to October 1 at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi.
