Karonga’s Lusekero Band impresses in Chibuku Road to Fame
Lusekero Band, a newly formed band after Lusubilo Band at Karonga Music School, outshone seven other music outfits in the Chibuku Road to Fame Music Competition regional finals held at Chibanja Tavern in Mzuzu on Saturday to grab a ticket for the national finals.
Alongside Meditators Band and Royal Melodicus, Lusekero Band were selected as the best to represent the Northern Region. But it was Lusekero Band who proved themselves as emerging stars, thanks to their emotional and soul touching performance.
Led by Kelvin Nyengo on lead vocalist, the 10-member band performed KyaNgonde songs, Lupakisho and Alilire Mwana Mpina, with their trademark instruments such as saxophones and percussion, while punctuating the performance with traditional dances.
The excellence of their choreography, coupled with the band’s energy prompted judge Cherby Jere to describe their music as ‘organised,’ adding: “Their performance shows that they had prepared enough for the competition.”
Founder of the Music Centre of Lusubilo in Karonga Agnes Kim Chungja, whose other band Lusubilo were winners of the competition in 2012, said her dream is to see Lusekero Band become the best band, not only in Malawi, but in Africa.
The three bands join nine others from the Central, Southern and Eastern regions for the finals to take place on July 5 at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
Winners in the K15 million (US$36 496) worth competition are to take home K1 million (US$2 434) with a recording deal worth K400 000 (US$973).
Musicians Union of Malawi (MUM) treasurer Young Chilanga, who is also projects coordinator for the competition, said while few bands have competed this year, they hope that the finals will be competitive due to seriousness the bands have shown.
Chibuku marketing manager Timothy Sukali said the competition aims at exposing new talent in traditional music.
