ShowBiz: Unforgettable Show Flops of the Year

NUMEROUS shows that have been held over the past months have been poorly attended, leaving promoters counting their loses.
What is disheartening is the fact that the crème de la crème of Zimbabwean music no longer command the same respect they used to.

And most of them have more than once been part and parcel of these flops that have caused heartaches and headaches for promoters.

The list is endless, but in this case we have decided to focus on major events and big names.

Zim’s Finest Show
This show can easily be dubbed “king of flops” since dollarisation of the economy in 2009.
The highly publicised Zim’s Finest show, featuring Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah, failed to attract the expected crowd despite being held towards year end — and it being the only major event in the capital that day.

That was on November 1, 2013. The collaborative effort in organisation with ZimCafe Restaurant and River Clear Promotions saw less than 300 revellers paying to enter Glamis Arena.

The gathering resembled part of the crowd that either one of the four greats would attract at solo performances. No one understands what went wrong, but this was, indeed, a warning shot.

Winter Jazz Festival
Many factors contributed to the chillingly poor outcome of the Winter Jazz Festival at City Sports Centre last week.
A colourful line-up included Mtukudzi, Jah Prayzah and Sulu could only attract a handful of music lovers. The promoter went all the way to market the event using various channels, but that did not work. A serious marketing campaign did not do the trick.

While many are of the view that the cold weather coupled with the late start of the show, which was preceded by a church gathering in the same venue, compounded matters, another school of thought contends that the line-up simply did not represent jazz interests.

Baba naMai Charamba
For long we have known this couple to strike it big, be it in terms of performance or show turnout. But their prowess has been demystified by the current trend.

The couple now has to contend with the same anguish others face — playing before wretched crowds.
Late last year, they had to twice cancel shows. In one incident, the rains were blamed, while in the other Tuku did not pitch up.

Before this, gigs at their traditional venues of the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza and Harare Gardens attracted full houses. Paradise lost?

Tuku “Greatest Hits Concert”
After taking a long and deserved break from the local showbiz scene, Tuku’s much-hyped “Greatest Hits Concert” at the Harare International Conference Centre was supposed to bring the capital to a standstill.

Initially, the concert was postponed to pave way for Independence Day celebrations.

When it was then held, the giant HICC was close to empty and the echoes told the sorry tale.

Outside the HICC, parking space was abundant. Those who have gone to Tuku’s shows in years gone by know that you simply cannot park your car anywhere near the venue!

Not even the allure of former Black Spirits member Picky Kasamba’s special appearance brought in the numbers.

Jah Prayzah Color Purple Show
Since his brand became popular, Jah Prayzah’s stakes have been rising with each outing.

He enjoys a lion’s share of the market, but he has had to be content with playing before diminishing crowds, particularly in Harare.

The rude awakening came at the recent Color Purple show, where about 50 people turned up.

The venue had hosted successful shows before and the lousy attendance figures on the day were a mere reflection of the current state of affairs in the industry.

Guspy Warrior
His can be argued to be the worst turnout in the dance-hall genre considering the group is currently at its peak.

Guspy Warrior comprehensively lost what was dubbed the “battle of album launches” to Jah Prayzah in Bulawayo after his event attracted only seven people.

The launch of his album, “Wedzera Mawatts”, which was billed for Horizon Pub and Grill, failed to kick off after news of the flop had filtered to his ears and he accordingly decided to not turn up. (Jah Prayzah’s launch of “Kumbumura Mhute” that same day also did not attract a much of a crowd.) Perhaps inclusion of a Bulawayo-based artiste could have helped.

Chipaz Bhora-Umdlalo
Run by energetic promoter Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, the annual event is held at the beginning of every year.

But this year – following a low turnout in 2013 attributed to rains – the event was moved to April. Four events were lined up for Chipaz Bhora celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium: namely Chipaz Bhora featuring Dancehall artistes versus Sungura artistes, Sungura, Dancehall, and Gospel gigs on different days.

Of the scheduled events, it was only the Dancehall gig that put a smile on the gangly promoter’s face. All the other events performed way below expectations. Again the weather (wet ground, wintry atmosphere and drizzle) was blamed for the response by revellers.

Foreign acts
With local artistes appearing to be running out of steam, promoters have tried their luck with foreign artistes.

But to date, only a countable number – among them Beenie Man, Zahara, Capleton and Elephant Man — have managed to attract full houses.

The likes of D’banj and Sean Kingstone will not be in a hurry to return!

Winnie Mashaba
Is the situation better for foreign gospel performers?

Decorated gospel powerhouse Winnie Mashaba had her ego bruised when she played for a near empty Harare Gardens.

The show was meant to help one of our local protégés, Letwin Chawira, launch her albums and Mashaba’s inclusion was supposed to bring in the much-needed numbers. Not even the inclusion of Mathias Mhere could save the day.

This left promoter – who is also Letwin’s husband – Tinashe Chawira counting his losses. For the two shows in Harare and Masvingo, Chawira is said to have spent about US$30 000 but sold tickets worth less than US$1 000.

Chawira attributed the failure to late clearance of the South African artiste by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, and vandalism of show posters by unknown elements.