Entertainment and Fashion

‘Soldier’s tribute concert will be annual’

‘Soldier’s tribute concert will be annual’

By Jimmy Chazama

The tribute concert for iconic musician Soldier Lucius Banda will be running annually, Impakt Events said yesterday.

The tribute concert was supposed to start taking place last year following Lucius’ demise on June 30 last year but was postponed.

Lucius’ son Johnny Zembani Banda, who is now leading Impakt Events, confirmed the development.

“This will be annual. Soldier Lucius Banda needs to be celebrated.

‘Last year, we postponed it due to other challenges but we are making sure that we put everything in place,” he said.

Johnny also said they were still working on dates for the tribute concert.

“We are looking at August 17, which is his birthday, or June 30, the day he died,” he said.

Johnny said they were also still working on line-up of the artists set to perform at the tribute concert.

“We also are looking at working closely with the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture as Soldier Lucius Banda was a legendary figure,” he said.

Director of Arts in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture Humphrey Mpondaminga said it was important to have a tribute concert for Soldier Lucius Banda.

“This is a welcome development because Soldier Lucius Banda was no ordinary name in the creative sector. We, as a ministry, are waiting for the organisers to give us a proposal and, then, we will work together,” Mpondaminga said.

Last year, Alleluya Band held a tribute concert for Soldier Lucius Banda at Andiamo Ground in Balaka District.

Lucius, who until his death was presidential adviser on youth and sports, had a stint with Alleluya Band with brother Sir Paul Banda.

Last year, veteran journalist Jack Mcbrams also revealed that he was working on Lucius’ biopic with other players and the family.

Lucius released several albums and they include Unity, Survivor, Cell 51 and Money and Power.