Lucius Banda in Concert
June 26, 2009
Upon our arrival Wednesday at Annie’s Lodge, Annie had asked us if we would like to go to a concert of some Malawian bands on Friday evening. Of course, we would! So 8 o’clock found us waiting for an SUV and a pickup truck to take us to the concert site at Pa’s Bakery, a place that was once a bakery but now a bar and dance hall. A local band is playing. In Malawi, bands do not take breaks. Different singers rotate; musicians switch off, so they can rest but the music never stops.
We begin dancing and soon discover that later on Lucius Banda is the “head-liner.” Our students had heard and read about Lucius Banda from their readings as well as talking with Malawians about who the best singers in Malawi were. All agreed that Lucius Banda was perhaps the best singer in Africa. During the Banda dictatorship, Lucius Banda had to go into exile because of his protest music. He returned sometime after Muluzi was elected. But during those exile years, he kept the spirit of dissonance alive in the hearts of Malawians. Lucius Banda is now an elected member of Parliament as well as a singer who continues performing world-wide.
Around 10 o’clock, he steps on stage and it’s electric. Although I do not speak Chichewa beyond cursory greetings, the music and words spoke to me. I felt shivery and overcome. He filled the stage, his presence touching our hearts. I never in my wildest imagination thought I’d ever get to see Lucius Banda sing, but our group was in the right place at the right time and had a friend (Annie) who could make it possible.
