By Jimmy Chazama:
Artists, who included old-timer Giddes Chalamanda, entertained fun lovers during a New Year celebration gig held at Mabeya’s Pub and Grill, Chitipi, in Lilongwe.
Once again, Chalamanda, popularly known as Agide, showed, at 94 years old, that he is still robust when he served a number of songs that kept the audience on the dancefloor.
Patrons sang along to his songs, which included ‘Linny Hoo’, a mashup that he originally did with Patience Namadingo. Led by former broadcaster Gift Mabeya Mbeya, Mabeya’s Pub and Grill buzzed with music and, apart from Chalamanda, other artists that starred at the gig included Balaka-based group Alleluya Band.
The band featured Coss Chiwalo and Paul Subili. It was a concert that was rich in its roster, as it also featured Phungu Joseph Nkasa.
Alleluya Band, which makes annual trips to Italy, delivered an impressive set that lasted close to four hours.
Mabeya Mbeya said bringing together legends such as Agide was a gesture that was meant to give people something unique on the road to 2025.
“We have enjoyed music from young artists. As we existed 2024 and welcomed 2025, we decided to include music legends such as Agide. We are happy with the turnout,” he said.
Former soccer star Emmanuel Zoya, who patronised the show, described the gig as massive and that he enjoyed it.
“I have loved Alleluya Band since a tender age. This band is good and, so, I decided to come down and sample their music live. I do not regret being a part of this show because I entered the New Year in style,” Zoya said. A few minutes to midnight, there was a count down before fireworks took centre stage to usher people into the New Year.
