Marv Town headlines festive season music shows

The Finnish missionaries may have brought Christianity to then South West Africa, but livewire Namibian artist Mervin Claasen, popularly known by his stage name Marv Town, has taken the ma /gaisa music genre to Finland.

The likeable singer and performer, undoubtedly one of the hottest
ma /gaisa artists in the country, shares his experience of what he describes as “very amazing performances” in Helsinki.

“My trip to Finland was a complete eye-opener. I was invited to the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Suomi-Finland Society in Helsinki from 12-20 November. It was really a life-changing and exciting moment for me,” the ‘/Gurisen’ hitmaker says.

“Apart from showcasing my singing and dancing talent to a very warm and welcoming Finnish audience, I also had the opportunity to present a workshop on African storytelling and how that builds capacity in different ways. That one part was really fun.”

Marv Town says the Finnish Summer High School Association started an exchange programme with Namibia in 2004, and he was one of the first students to be part of the project.

“Hence our relationship, I had the opportunity to travel to Finland in 2007 as a facilitator. It is through my relationship with the association that I was invited,” Marv Town says.

“My lecture was about African music and I also conducted a dance workshop. The event was attended by officials such as ambassadors and other top political influencers.”

Marv Town, who rose to prominence after winning the prestigious annual ‘Next Ma /Gaisa Star’ singing competition in its debut season in 2022, went on to become a supreme performer, backed by hits like ‘Ti Mas di /Gores’ and ‘Ama /Nami’ (True Love) featuring Jacky.

It appears the Katutura-born performer is on a serious mission to promote the ma /gaisa genre, after he also hosted the recent Ma /Gaisa Live Music and Cultural Festival 2024.

Marv Town, like many other artists countrywide, also has several gigs lined up for the festive seasons:

On Friday at Chillax Entertainment, Rehoboth; On Saturday at La Vibe in Dolam (Katutura), on 31 December at the New Year’s Bash from 19h00 at the City of Windhoek, and later on the same night at Klippies Sports Bar at Mariental from 23h00.

Otjiwarongo-based artist Saggarias Karunga, affectionately known as Kalux, also promises an unforgettable night of vibes, music and live performances when he hosts the ‘One Million Celebration Party’ at 90 Degrees Night Club at Otjiwarongo on Friday, 20 December.

The event was inspired by the ma /gaisa superstar’s latest hit song,
‘//Khoara’, featuring Mooi Ngaro, which became his fastest song to reach one million views in only three months on YouTube.

The gifted star, who also wowed Namibian music lovers with big hit songs like ‘Sweet Lollipop’ and ‘Regkom Tani’ featuring One Blood, will have another show at the Sweet Valley (Aranos), under the theme ‘Drums & Yanos’ on 28 December.

Award-winning artist Damara Dik Ding, featuring DJ Drew, will have a New Year’s Eve countdown bash at La Vibe in Dolam. The ‘Bakuten’ hitmaker says more information about the event will be revealed on social media in due course.

Kamselle Namibia at Outapi will host the fifth edition of their popular annual ‘Kasie Music Bash’, with headline musicians, award-winning kwaito star Exit and top Oviritje Princess Karabo Kandjavera, who will perform her hit song ‘Collin Ndjitjaerera Ovasuko Woye’. She will be backed up by a host of upcoming artists from north central Namibia on Saturday, 21 December.

Chella Boy, who is known for his hits ‘Ndilandifa’ and ‘Fall in Love’ featuring Dama Monique, will be the star attraction when Buffalo Bar at Okongo hosts the New Year’s Countdown show on Tuesday, 31 December.

Dico Lo Kokongo, Warforce and Focus Fireboy are just some of the supporting acts of the highly anticipated music show.

Lollipop ‘The Big Boss’ Awaseb will host a star-studded line-up of musicians for the New Year Countdown show at Klippies Sport Bar at Mariental on Tuesday, 31 December.