Lusubilo Band to go on national tour

Karonga-based Lusubilo Band will in August hold a national tour to thank their fans for the Musicians Union of Malawi (MUM) Best Band Award they won in February.

The youthful band, which is part of Lusubilo Music Centre, got the most votes to win the award in a group of nominees comprising established outfits such as Zembani Band, Black Missionaries, Mizu Band and Marimba Band.

Projects manager at the centre, ManasehChisiza, told On the Arts that the band will also use the tour to promote Malawian culture through music they play.

He said: “We want to interact with our fans and thank them for the award. We won because most of them voted for us and it means they appreciate the role we play in promoting music in the country.

“As such, we also want to use the tour to promote Malawian music, that which is traditional. We want people to appreciate how rich Malawian culture is. Nowadays, people are not creative anymore. They just copy foreign music. This is not good for the arts.”

Chisiza said preparations for the tour are at an advanced stage. He said the music centre has recruited nine promising youths who will have an opportunity for exposure during the tour.

“The new recruits are a great talent. They are responding well in terms of music theory and performances. People should expect a great band,” he said.

True to his words, the new members proved their worth when the band spiced up a graduation ceremony at Mzuzu International Academy on Saturday.

It was a mixture of both old and new members. Chigo Nyasulu and new catch Maggie Mkandawire were on lead vocals.

It appears, at least from the performance, that Mkandawire and Nyasulu are ready to take over the mantle from their powerful voice Rebecca Mwalwenje who graduated from the centre last year, but will be performing with the band as guest artist.

“We have used this performance to give the new members an opportunity to sharpen up their skills for the tour,” said Chisiza.

The band will perform in Karonga, Mzuzu, Blantyre and Lilongwe between August 8 and 16.