Over recent years, the music scene in Malawi has encountered difficulties in flourishing, especially in urban areas, largely due to inadequate management. One of the primary factors undermining the success of music shows has been the lack of thorough preparations.
It’s no surprise that filling up large venues like Comesa Hall, Robins Park, Golf Clubs, and Stadiums seemed like an insurmountable challenge for the urban music scene. Only renowned artists such as Lucius Banda, the Black Missionaries, Lulu, Skeffa Chimoto, and others managed to draw significant crowds to such venues, thanks to effective management and organization.
The delayed recognition of urban music in the country and artists’ reluctance to engage managers further contributed to the inefficiency of their events. However, the landscape has shifted, with urban music now dominating entertainment across the nation and even beyond its borders.
Addressing these shortcomings, urban artists have begun to enlist managers and prioritize thorough preparations. Steve Wazisomo Muliya, slated to hold a show in Lilongwe in May, emphasized the importance of planning, noting that long-term preparations attract more partners to support the event.
“Even the scriptures speak of the farmer who prepares for sowing, highlighting the significance of preparation for favorable outcomes,” Wazisomo remarked. Similarly, Phyzix, organizing the ‘Mountain Goat Concert’ in Mzuzu in July, drew inspiration from observing the practices of artists in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and the USA, who engage in long-term preparations for their main events.
In conclusion, Gwamba, preparing to host a concert in Lilongwe in September, stressed the importance of ample advertising time. "Considering my financially challenged fans, long-term preparations help them budget accordingly for the event," he concluded.