Nkhata Bay District has set the tone as a good host for big entertainment events after hosting the inaugural Northern Region-based music festival, the North Beach Music Festival at Chikale Beach.
The event, which rolled out on Friday, ended in the wee hours of Monday and received mixed reviews from patrons.
While the event started on a good note on Friday with performances from ‘Sir’ Lucius Banda, Nepman, Sam Smack, Mr Zembani and Turf Lions International Band, things took a different turn on the second day.
It emerged that several artists that were billed to perform on the second day of the festival, including Black Missionaries Band were nowhere to be found.
In a statement, Black Missionaries Band apologised to their fans, saying they could not perform due to some misunderstandings with the organisers.
“We apologise to our fans in Nkhata Bay for not making it to the festival. This was due to failure to agree on some terms with festival organisers. Otherwise, we wanted to be part of the fun of this unique inaugural North Beach Music Festival,” read part of the statement signed by Black Missionaries Band leader Anjiru Fumulani.
Driemo and Turf Lions International Band entertained patrons on Saturday evening. Driemo dished out many songs from his latest album Mzaliwa, as well as other hit singles that have endeared him with music lovers for the past two years.
On his part, organiser of the event, Thoms Park Event managing director Thomson Madulira said it is unfortunate that some artists did not come as announced in the festival’s posters.
“Despite the setback, we have demonstrated that we can host a big entertainment event in Nkhata Bay. We thank the patrons for attending the festival and for being a peaceful fun-loving people. It was the first of its kind in Nkhata Bay,” he said.
Event management specialist Aleke Mphasi of Alenje Media said being an the inaugural event, the organisers tried their best to make the event flowerly.
Venue owner Linda Chihana said the festival has not only helped sell the place, but enabled people to interact.
“It is good to see that a lot of people came for the festival. People have welcomed North Beach Music Festival.,” she said.
The festival was partly sponsored by Castel Malawi to the tune of K5 million.
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