After a seven-year break, Urban Music People (UMP) Festival is back at Cape Maclear in Mangochi.
From Friday evening, it was a fun extravaganza through poetry, music, art exhibitions, dance, fashion and beach sports activities.
The effect of the fuel scarcity was evident as not many patrons made the trip.
The Burning Spear concert in Lilongwe was another factor that prevented many people attending.
But despite circumstances, the festival prevailed. After a slow start on Friday evening, the music party grew until it exploded into the early hours of Saturday morning.
South African amapiano act Deep London seemed to be the heavier name on the night’s menu. He came and did his act to the amusement of patrons.
But what remained on the wish list of the party-goers was the son of the soil; Fada Moti.
The rising amapiano star came on stage after 5am and met a resounding applause from the audience. It was a performance they yearned for.
The energetic Fada Moti turned the party mood upside down. He did not take prisoners, but made it known to all and sundry that he was there for business.
His popular compositions such as Msandithawe lifted the audience to a level never imagined before. They cheered him on until the sun made its definition on the new day.
Fada Moti bowed out, but that just marked the start of the three-day marathon UMP Festival.
