Sir Paul excels at Sand Fest

Paul Banda and Alleluya gave the younger generation lessons on  what to do when it comes to live music–performing for over an hour without telling tales in between the songs.

The man who founded Alleluya 35 years ago jumped on stage around 3am, giving the people scattered at the lakeside Sunbird Nkopola Beach a feel of what concerts used to be before Malawians learnt to make music using computers.

The veteran, accompanied by Cos Chiwalo, Paul Subili and contemporary Alleluya players, gave the fans a non-stop downpour of their music past and present. Some of the songs that kept the fans dancing and listening were Malilime, Mtendere, Tikhale ndi Moyo and Zonse Nzabwino.

The group also excelled in bringing sanity to the sound control department which had precariously left Lucky Stars crying for help throughout their performance on Friday night.

When they stepped on stage, they subjected the equipment to thorough soundcheck lasting 20 minutes, installing their own speakers and got what they wanted—a clear breeze which gave their hearers a feel of every piece of equipment as it came to life.

After taking the audience down the memory lane, Sir Paul Banda said: “I thank Sand Festival for giving me an opportunity to be part of the big event.

“Thank you for bringing Alleluya again. It’s a pleasure performing along such an array of musicians, including the young ones who represent the future of our music.”

In the absence of Black Missionaries, the flurry of young musicians included Piksy, Maskal, Third Eye, Wendy Harawa, Sally Nyundo, Agorosso and Stanley Mthenga.

Soul Raiders and Joe Gwaladi did not make the trip.

Organiser Soldier Lucius Banda said they failed to reach an agreement with Soul Raiders and they could not trace Gwaladi for two months.

Soul Raiders co-vocalist Joel Suzi confirmed the setback.