The long-anticipated Afro Fest debuted at the Malawi Square that also hosts Bingu International Convention Centre under Umodzi Park banner in Lilongwe.
It was a meeting of two music scenes, with Nigerians Bayanni, Ladipoe, Johnny Drille and Teni sharing the stage with their Malawian counterparts.
To the fans, the prospect of watching four Nigerian performers at one event added to the excitement surrounding the show.
Even the country’s fuel challenges did not stop people from turning out in large numbers.
Organisers were also one step ahead as they had arranged with taxi operators to help fans travel to and from the venue.
But the excitement was tested by time.
The programme was scheduled to start at 4pm, but did not begin performing until about 10pm.
In the hours between, DJs kept the music going while the hosts worked to keep the audience present.
When the first performer, Mic Mash, finally took to the stage, there was a noticeable change in the mood.
The crowd had waited for hours and now there was finally someone to watch.
Mic Mash was followed by Lady Aika then Zonke Too Fresh and Aidfest who managed to keep the audience on their feet.
Kineo, Merchah, Charisma, Joe Ikon and Temwah in that order, continued the energy and gave fans quite a moment of Malawi sound before the night turned towards the Nigerian acts.
Next was the turn of the foreign artists with the artists with Bayanni being the first Nigerian performer to take the stage and managed to set the tone for what followed.
His appearance marked a shift in the night’s mood as attention turned to the visiting stars.
Ladipoe followed, bringing rap into the mix. He performed some of his familiar songs, including his collabo hit songs like Feeling, Know You, Running, No Level and Many People.
Then came Johnny Drille who opened his set with Believe Me, immediately drawing fans into his performance as they danced and sang along.
He also performed the people’s favourites How are you (My Friend), Wait for Me and Colorado, his collaboration with Ayra Starr and Young Jonn.
In an interview back stage the Romeo and Juliet singer commended Kell Kay for putting the show together and hailed the support he received from the audience.
“Malawi has been amazing,” he said.
In an earlier interview he also hinted that he might work on a project with a Malawian artist.
“I think I would love to work with a Malawian artist especially Kell Kay, he will be the easiest artist for me to work. So yeah definitely we might work on something,” he said.
The night was still on and the Nigerian star on the bill, before Malawian favourite Kell Kay walked the stage.
At around 5am, Zeze came on and brought a long night of performances to an end.
For organisers Beyond Marketing, Afro Fest is the beginning of a platform that will bring African musicians together to share the stage and give audiences access to music from across the continent.
Beyond Marketing communications manager Sellah Chiuye said they want the platform to grow beyond its inaugural edition, with African artists contributing to its programme in future.
“This is not the first and last edition, we will have more of the Afro Fest and more artists on the Afro Fest stage,” she said.
