The Sunday Mail
The Zim-dancehall genre was put to a stern test at the annual Lion Lager Beer Festival and to use a cliché, it passed with the proverbial flying colours.
The genre did not disappoint.
It is now a fact that the youthful lot can hold their own and break barriers even when odds seem against them.
Many feared that the Lion Lager Beer Festival would flop after Konshens, a Jamaican artiste who was supposed to be the main act, pulled out following directives from his government barring artistes from travelling to any African country citing Ebola concerns.
The festival was a success nevertheless.
Arguably the festival attracted a better crowd than that of last year which featured Nigerian musician D’Banj, who was largely a disappointment.
Acts that included Tocky Vibes, Winky D, Jah Prayzah, Judgement Yard, Legendary Sounds, Shinsoman, Soul Jah Love and wife Bounty Lisa made sure the beer festival lived up to standards set when the Nigerian twins P-Square and Jamaican star Beenie Man graced the event in the previous years.
But just like any other event, the Delta Beverages-sponsored event had its successes and flaws.
The issue of beer price is of paramount importance to a majority of guzzlers. And before the festival was held (and even as it was being held), people wanted clarity on why the price on most of the brands was similar to that found in most bars and retail outlets.
For a festival of this nature, we would expect beer prices (not only for Lion Larger but every Delta Beverages brand) to be lower than the usual to make it a real beer festival.
However, only those who drank the brand that was on promotion and the draft beer enjoyed the wise waters to the fullest.
A dollar could buy a litre of Lion or Castle draft or a pint of any other brand.
“My feeling was that we would get beer at reduced prices and Lion for free at this event. These prices will not help us quench our thirst,” complained Shadreck Tapera of Highfield.
However, time keeping for acts was up to scratch.
Gates opened as early as mid-day but the venue remained rather empty till around 1800hrs. Zimbabweans have over the years become accustomed to attending music gigs around midnight hence the venue almost filled to capacity around that time.
Award-winning musician Jah Prayzah had to be content playing for the small crowd since his slot came earlier in the day due to commitments elsewhere. His act was rather subdued but could have easily been different had he played later in the day.
If the organisers had put up various entertaining activities like beer-drinking and beer tasting competitions (of course beer being prizes), the move could have helped draw crowds early in the day. Initially beer tasting was supposed to be part of events but most people did not see it take place, if ever it did happen.
With the festival being more of a dancehall affair, fears of violence were justified. However, measures put in place by the organisers were solid and guaranteed revellers/imbibers enjoyed drowning their sorrows and elevating their joy with peace of mind.
There were little or no incidences both in the parking areas and inside the venue.
Rather, life was difficult for ruffians that are used to the can-throwing habit since drinks were being served in plastic containers and hired general hands made sure empty containers did not stay long on the ground.
A slight challenge though was on the entry/exit points. For the important guests the platforms were smooth flowing. But during the peak hours, it was difficult for the ordinary people to get into and outside the venue due to massive congestion.
In future, it would be ideal for the organisers to increase entrance and exit points or make sure that any given point (entry/exist) is used for a single purpose.
And as the festival is becoming mostly a dancehall affair, it would be prudent if the organisers were to stick to a mainly dancehall line-up.
The idea of mixing dancehall with genres like house (Uhuru) is a recipe for disaster.
