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Showbiz Mirror Godwin Muzari
When the big guys of our music industry made their New Year’s resolutions, they probably did not envisage a year-end characterised by a tough battle – for fans and shows, against a crop of young musicians, making their music in backyard and makeshift studios in the new wave of Zim dancehall.
Usually, in the coming festive season, the big guys eye rich pickings as promoters jostle to sign them for numerous shows to capitalise on the spending (and often overspending) mood that grips music lovers in this period.
For music promoters, the festive season is a time of planning big shows to make maximum profit before merrymakers slump into the dull January disease era when there is very low business in entertainment.
Top musicians have made it a point to go on vacation in January after making megabucks in the festive season.
So, the big musicians are also looking forward to a season of many hours on stage, a lot of travelling and full houses at their shows.
But the signs on the festive season horizon are not favourable. The last half of this year has not been encouraging in terms of show attendances.
Promoters have been slowly moving to dancehall shows because the big guys no longer pull the big crowds that tally with their high performance fees.
Of course, the dancehall musicians charge less for their shows and anyone in business would go for cheaper services and products if they bring the desired returns. Obviously, promoters are considering this principle but there a serious factor our big musicians have to take note of – people are tired of their stagnant choreography.
This time last year, a show featuring Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah would attract a record crowd but that is no longer the case.
Such a show was a flop a couple of months ago and the musicians have been finding the going tough at their individual shows.
People are tired of seeing the same acts on stage over and over. Some of these big musicians’ acts have become predictable.
It is even worse when the musician has the same playlist at all shows.
These days, going to the big musicians’ shows is tantamount to watching a delayed match.
Everything has been done before in the same manner and there is no inspiration to attend a gig.
Same songs, same dances, same slogans and same guitar antics all done for the same fans. The monotony is disheartening.
Some people have been forced to turn to dancehall shows, not because they like dancehall, but they want something new and the big musicians do not have anything new to offer.
The stage needs more creativity than the studio.
Honestly, who still wants to see Macheso playing the guitar with his head or foot?
Who still enjoys watching Wayne “Musoro” Kembo whirling his head at Chimbetu’s show? Even the Jamaican chant that was popularised by Kenny Neshamba at Mtukudzi’s shows is now outdated.
The musician kept doing it many years after Neshamba’s departure.
Jah Prayzah will soon have to create a new act to replace the “generator” dance done by Evidence “Generator” Mudzingo.
Some of these acts are good and have been popular with fans but they should not exceed their lifespan.
New acts will always make people hunt for a musician’s shows. Jonasi Kasamba was good at creating dances when he was with Macheso.
Even Franco “Slomo” Dhaka is imaginative. Already the duo’s new group Extra Kwazvose has popularised a dance called “sando, sando”.
Great Njanji, who does the “officer” dance for Peter Moyo, has also tried to present the routine in different ways.
Some fans that walked out of Macheso’s show at the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza said they were fed up with his monotonous acts.
These big musicians need to up their game if they want to maintain their big followings.
There should be a change of routine during live shows rather than to see the same thing again and again.
It becomes monotonous.
However, big shows of this festive season seem inclined towards dancehall.
A show dubbed “Dancehall Shutdown” that takes place at Harare Gardens on December 20 has taken the place of shows featuring big musicians that used to be held in the last years.
Concepts such as Countdown Gig, Shut Down Gig and Last Gig were done for the big artistes but this year promoters seem unsure of their returns due to growing resistance among fans.
- Showbiz Mirror is a new column that will be published every Wednesday discussing topical issues in the arts industry. Feedback: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
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