The Sunday Mail
Mtandazo Dube —
NUMBERS at gigs by local artistes have been declining. Some have blamed the economy, some say there is no lustre in our local stars anymore, while others believe the top artistes have not released songs or choreographed acts that are good enough to pull in the crowds.
All that is going to be put to test this Saturday when Zimbabwe’s crème de la crème converge at Andy Millar Hall at Harare Exhibition Park. Armed with his latest album “Eheka Nhai Yahwe!”, superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi interrupts his World Tour, jetting in on the day of the event.
Jah Prayzah, still in high spirits and in celebratory mode after scooping an MTV award is also on the bill. Andy Muridzo adds an interesting twist to the show as he and Jah Prayzah — said to be not as close as before — might share the same stage.
And the usual comparisons between them will follow, with Jah Prayzah fans saying Andy Muridzo is a copycat, despite distinct differences in their overall products.
Alick Macheso, a renowned performer who is eager to reclaim his position at the top of Zimbabwe’s showbiz mountain, will also be in the house. And so will be the leading stars of inherited fame: Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu and Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo. These two were built for live performances. They know how to entertain and there is no doubt they will be out to shine.
Sulu and Peter have loyal followers, who even if they cannot follow them everywhere or as often, always come out on big shows like these to show their support.
There are several dancehall and urban grooves artistes, including the likes of Sandra Ndebele, on the line-up, and by the way, this gig marks the birthday of one of the most prominent music promoters, Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, who works and profile need no inflating.
The mammoth show is in his honour. So, are Zimbabwe’s best still able to pack people in by their thousands? Is the fact that Jah Prayzah and Andy Muridzo, the teacher and the student, go head-to-head for the first time enough of a spark to light up this party?
Will all these party ingredients combined with growing festive season excitement, produce the required atmosphere for a gig of this magnitude, and have people talking about the show weeks after the last song is belted out?
Veteran music promoter Josh Hozheri believes this Saturday’s line-up is a winning team, but is quick to add that artistes need to break their monotony, change the presentation of their acts, and be creative in their general way of doing business.
Hozheri also points out that themes of gigs need to be well thought out, giving the example of the Castle Lager Big Braai, which saw over a 15 000 people attending without necessarily being there for artistes’ performances.
“Look at the numbers that came in for Tuku @ 40 or the Big Braai, they were themed right, different scenery etcetera. Yes, the economy is depressed but it is not the main cause. Nyama yakanaka inozvitengesa (a good product sells itself).”
The Sunday Mail Leisure also caught up with Benji Nyandoro, the concert organiser and a proponent of “Celebrate Local”.
“The reason I’m doing this gig is because I felt we have to honour one of our own who has done tremendous work in the local arts industry. Although we could have, we did not want to go foreign, say, bring in someone from Jamaica or Nigeria to do our thing, we chose to do it with our very best.
“That this is one of the best shows ever put together involving locals only is not in doubt, the challenge now is to see if this event brings in the numbers, which we believe it will,” said Nyandoro.
“Zimbabwe has hosted many international artistes that have received resounding support. This is a ‘We’ concert — to test the pride, the attitude, the love that our people have for their own. This night goes beyond celebrating what Chipaz has done for local artistes. It is a night we celebrate our crème de la crème. We would have loved to have Winky D as well there but he will be on a regional tour.”
The poster for the show resembles that of the galas Government sponsored a few years back And in days gone by this kind of show did not require much advertising muscle: a slight push would be sufficient.
But as Zimbabweans fall more and more in love with foreign acts, our giants — who ironically are getting much attention outside Zimbabwe — seem to have lost appeal locally. Or have they?
