Lulu shines in New Year showdown
It was billed as the biggest showdown of the year. The ‘big four’, namely Kell Kay, Faith Mussa, Patience Namadingo and Lulu shared the stage on Saturday at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe to usher in the New Year in grand style and they lived to the billing.
But it was the scintillating performance by Lulu that had everyone talking.
Appearing on stage just after Mussa’s performance, Lulu jumped on stage wearing a blue pair of jean shorts, black T-shirt and a black pair of sneakers.
Confidently, he went down to serious business, performing some of his classic hits such as Mbambande, Pemphero Langa, Kumalembe and Tsogolo ndi Lowala, among others. His interactions with patrons and his dancing skills made him a darling of the night and kept patrons on their feet.
Before him, Kell Kay opened the event with his impressive performance, creating a positive vibe for the night. He performed Katatu, Lobola, Tender Love and Basi. The excitement in the auditorium was set and by the time he finished his performance, it was obvious that patrons were ready for a great time.
Mussa jumped on stage after Kell Kay and as ever green as he is, Mussa and his Mdidi Band put up a classic performance. Everything about his performance was on point. He was at some point joined on stage by Ben Michael Mankhamba for their collaboration Bingiza. Mussa understood the assignment.
The last one to perform was Namadingo, who came after Lulu’s electrifying performance. Probably due to the mood that he had found patrons in, it was miscalculation on his part to open the set with songs such as Yesu Anandiombola and Moto. Some patrons started asking for Lulu to return on stage.
Namadingo first endured the negative reception as he continued with his performance and performed his other more popular songs such as Tikamadzapita, Pefekiti, Wazgalenge and Msatimseke which turned things around and the audience supported him.
In a post-performance interview, Lulu expressed satisfaction with the event.
“I take every performance seriously. I always try to beat my record and tonight was not different. Future events will be better,” he said.
Namadingo did not grant interviews after his performance.
In an earlier interview, Umodzi Park marketing manager Matamando Chagunda said they decided to plan the event to help fun seekers usher in the New Year with fun.n
