Mingoli Bash conquers

The first ever Mingoli Bash on Saturday gave fun seekers what they were looking for as it lived up to its billing.

The show, whose publicity started around February this year, did not disappoint despite facing a last-minute hitch as organisers, Sound Addicts, failed to get on board headline artist Alaine from Jamaica due to forex challenges.

But on Saturday, Lilongwe was not the same. People from all walks of life thronged the Grand Business Park along the Lilongwe West Bypass Road to be part of the first ever Mingoli Bash concert.

Initially, the show was scheduled to take place at Civo Stadium before it was moved to Lilongwe Golf Club and later to the Grand Business Park.

However, when Grand Business Park was announced as the event’s venue, tongues started wagging with most entertainment lovers taking to social media platforms questioning the decision by the organisers to stage such a big event at an unfamiliar territory, which prior to this event, had only hosted one event, Castel Malawi’s re-launch of its spirit beer.

But whosoever questioned the decision to stage such a big event at Grand Business Park left the venue with a different impression in the wee hours of Sunday as the organisers staged a music event to remember so far this year.

Performances started around 1pm with celebrated events host Annie Matumbi manning the stage.

However, it was around 5pm when things started heating up after former Zathu Pawailesi hosts DJ Goxy and Ceezy took over from Matumbi.

Reggae dancehall artist Sean Morgan set the ball rolling as he constantly engaged the fans and in the middle of his performance.

Afro-Pop artist Driemo was also a marvel to watch with fans asking for more as he was about to leave the stage.

South Africa’s duo of Blaq Diamond and self-proclaimed Amapiano king Daliwonga warmed up the stage for the night’s headline artist Yo Maps from Zambia.

When Yo Maps jumped on stage around 2:30am, it was just an icing on the cake to what had already been a memorable event for fun seekers around Lilongwe.

He jumped on stage with Kondwa, his latest hit song which is enjoying airplay even here in Malawi.

“I am super excited to perform in Malawi. It is like I am performing at home back in Zambia because of the reception you guys have given me,” said the Zambian before proceeding to entertain patrons.

In a brief interview, Sound Addicts director Shadreck Kalukusha said he was impressed with how people welcomed the first-ever Kumingoli Bash.

“For now, I am speechless. This show is a sold out event and all I can say is thank you Malawi,” he said.

One of the patrons, Serge Lameck said he was equally impressed with how the show was organised.

Other artists who performed included Eli Njuchi, Kell Kay, Zeze Kingston, Temwa, Gibo Pearson, Tuno and the Black Missionaries Band.