Blantyre-based music outfit Nep Sounds Band will this evening return to the Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Sessions at the Alliance Française, formerly Jacaranda Cultural Centre in Mandala, Blantyre.
Their appearance comes a year after their last showing.
In an interview yesterday, Nep Sounds band leader Frank Allan said they want to keep up with the festive season tempo they set two weeks ago when they shared the stage with seasoned artist Joseph Nkasa at Sunbird Mount Soche Sportsman’s Bar in Blantyre.
“The feedback we got during our last show was encouraging. We are happy with the support and we want to build on that. The show at Jacaranda is another exciting prospect that we want to seize,” he said.
Allan said it will be a special moment for the group as they will be welcoming back their lead vocalist Annita Denga who was on maternity leave.
Nep Sounds becomes the first to perform at the centre since its rebranding to Alliance Française.
Acoustic sessions coordinator Waliko Makhala said the re-launching of the facility will increase opportunities for local artists to earn international recognition.
He said as part of the transformation, the sessions will have the first one hour dedicated to performances and another for questions and answers from the audience.
“We have now upped the standards to make the space more international. Our artists will have to raise their game to market themselves to the audience. Our partners have a number of branches in many countries, so the opportunities are huge,” he said.
Makhala said they are considering hosting workshops and clinics to enlighten Malawian artists and groups on what local music is all about and the demands of the international market.
He said: “Groups such as Nep Sounds, whose make is hybrid and youthful, stand to benefit a lot in this rebranding.”
