By MIKE LANGA-LULANGA 

Blantyre based Omafadar and Kula Band from Mzuzu are twogroups that have been trusted with the responsibility of carrying the Malawianflag to the Music Crossroads InterRegional Festival (IRF) to be held inBangamoyo Tanzania.

The two come out victors out of the eight bands thatcompeted during the Music Crossroads National Festival held at the MusicCrossroads Centre in Lilongwe’s populous township of Area 23 on June 27, 2010.

Konkalaz and Shakers from Lilongwe, Njosi from Mzuzu,Marimba from Blantyre and from Balaka, representing the Eastern Region;Melodies of Praise and Chimwemwe Real Vibrations were some of the groups thatparticipated in the concert.

Kula and Omafadar, each gave out their best in the threesongs they presented. It was a spirited performance of international appealfrom both the two camps that left the judges with no other choice but to pickthem for the Tanzania concert.

The power of Omafadar rested on their vocal projection,stage management and presentation. The feel and charisma in their songs wasclearly written on their faces. They brought with them the sena spirit of utseand lhomwe’s Manganje that earned them a ticket to Tanzania

Kula mesmerized with their award winning song Walendo; afusion of vimbuza and visekese from the Northern region and afro jazz. The useof mbatcha, nkhombo, pito and zisekese in the music maintain the originality oftheir music as purely Malawian.

Musician cum politician Joseph Tembo who was present duringthe concert congratulated while acknowledging the awesome performances from theparticipating groups saying such concerts have the potential of gloomingartists of international repute.

“It is through concerts like these that Malawian music canbreak into the international market. This is the quality of music that theinternational market is looking for. The songs are purely Malawian but becauseof the skill and professionalism have added an international flavour,” saidTembo.

He thanked the organizers Music Crossroads Malawi and urgedthe young musicians to take the concerts seriously if they are to make it bigin the music industry.

Guest artists at the concert were former IRF representativesAlleluya Band II and Mafilika. Mlodza Stars a seven member traditional dancetroupe who went for a one month tour of Netherlands last month through Mundialproductions were also present.

Kula and Omafadar are expected to depart for Tanzania onJuly 15 this year for a three day IRF concert, where they will battle it outwith other bands from Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the hosts Tanzania.

Winners are expected to be awarded a one month tour ofEurope while the runners up will attend an ethno music workshop in Sweden.