Kukana Kuba Kasambwe Band, Local Girl Keturah and Nep Sounds shone on Thursday when Alliance Francaise de Blantyre hosted a Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Session.
Patrons turned up in droves on the day, when they included artists such as Erik Paliani.
Kukana Kuba Kasambwe Band, which last year made its first trip to United States of America (USA) where they recorded an album at Mass Moca Studios with veteran producer Harlan Steinberger, were the first to hit the stage.
Equipped with local instruments, the Ndirande Township-based band kicked off their set with a track that talks about the beauty of Malawi, imploring people from other countries to visit the Warm Heart of Africa, as Malawi is called.
The trio of lead singer and guitarist Joseph Banda, banjo player Konzani Chikwata and drummer Fatsani Kennedy was joined on stage by a flute player, who is a student at Ridley College in Canada.
The audience could not hold it but take to the dance floor to enjoy the group’s songs.
The group paved the way for Nep Sounds Band.
Nep Sounds continued from where Kukana Kuba Kasambwe Band had left off, entertaining the audience with covers from artists such as Atoht Manje.
The group also took time out to remember iconic musician Stonald Lungu when it went on to dish out the track ‘Mukanene’.
Lungu was an artist who was poetic in his songs and, in ‘Mukanene’, he tells it all that life will come to an end no matter what.
After Nep Sounds came Keturah, who closed the curtain.
“We, as artists, long for such platforms and I am happy to be part of this showcase featuring Nep Sounds and Kukana Kuba Kasambwe.
“I would like to thank Alliance Francaise for keeping up with Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Session,” she said.
Keturah, who indicated that people should lookout for her new songs, also said the stage offered them an opportunity to network.
Alliance Francaise de Blantyre Director Luc Deschamps, who is also French Honorary Consul to Malawi, said the showcase was special and that it was part of the surprise package they have lined up this year.
“This is all about promoting Malawian music and in a live setting. We believe in the power of music, the power of art and this is why we created Sounds of Malawi Acoustic Session and, through this platform, Kukana Kuba Kasambwe earned the opportunity to go to America, where they recorded an album which will come out soon,” Deschamps said.
He also said Keturah also got a chance to go to America and record her self-titled album through the platform.
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