adminUrban Beats with Nkosilathi Sibanda
MY calendar spells it right, December is around the corner. This is the month that brings in sharp focus and a furious boil in everything we engage in.
The fever reaches its peak in the entertainment industry. It is bound to be like this, given that the festive season is upon us.
That feeling of going the extra mile as we entertain ourselves suddenly knocks in. It is now a shorts and shades affair.
Water and all other beverages are taken to excess. Cooling off is the way to go. Excessive is the “in” word this festive season.
History has it that humans tend to overindulge this time of the year. We do a lot of partying, weddings and celebrate which ever achievement, knowing that the sun shines for a longer period. The nights are no longer dead as we have been made to believe.
Just check your entertainment diary (that is if you’ve got one). From the time you are reading this, up to December, I’m sure you have a lot to do. Either you are the host or invited.
Do away with the old stuff. Hide that pack of CDs you were playing in winter. Simply, go back to the music shop and buy music appropriate to this season.
We, the fans of the showbiz industry have great hopes. The potential we see in our entertainers has to translate to meaningful enjoyment.
Fans expect the best because they pay for the service. Maybe some did not know this — entertainment is a service. Just like paying your bills, amusement of any sort does not come cheap.
There is great expectation, mark this.
We anticipate a season when we would be able to find our chill spots. As the entertainer belts out their finest, fans are sure to be at ease to spend that extra cash.
So many shows and events were held in the cold season but, there were disappointments to a large extent. Who would have braved the chill at an open arena?
Talking of expectations, we would like to remind our “valued” entertainers of the promises they made. I know of many entertainers who gave pledges. Likewise, talk is cheap. They are still to honour.
In past conversations we touched on this issue of musicians being too particular about making promises to the fans. The first thought, greatly assumed, is that musicians take fans for a bunch of fools.
Fans never get the opportunity to ask why their favourite idol has not given them anything for a while.
Such questions are best asked in the comfort of their homes. Be best assured though that if a musician does not own up to their promise, they will eat nothing off their guitar.
The winter was a season of promises and we are not preparing ourselves for a summer of failure. Entertainers, please take us kindly on that note.
Could it be a case of counting chicks before they hatch? To go to the Press and announce big things up one’s sleeve has spelt doom for some entertainers.
Oh yeah! We know of this. Have you not read a countless times that a musician is in the studio? Thereafter, there is silence, I’m sure you are reading from the same page here.
It is not only the musicians that fail to live up to their promises when the party season hits us. Promoters and arts administrators fall in the same pit. (This we will repeat until there are changes in the industry).
The merry making season the world over is a time when fans want to get entertained and there comes a string of bogus musos and wannabe promoters.
As we whine about the slack behaviour of our administrators and entertainers, we equally decry the service we get from show promoters.
A moment of entertainment does not pass by without a promoter’s mess. Still to be smeared by a promoter’s mess? Then you have not been going to live concerts of late.
Nothing of that sort is on our list of expectations this summer. Entertainers and your administrators, again, please take note.
Industry players do not seem to read the script well. In the few years I have dined and wined in the showbiz industry (as a fan of course), I have come to realise that the festive period is the most profitable. For reasons that come as simple, this is the ideal time to please the fans and get something in return.
The best of performers have often been good hibernators. You do not see them by day; neither do they perform at inappropriate times.
A case in point is with South African musicians. Pardon this example because Bulawayo has an insatiable appetite for all beats South African.
On observation, South Africa entertainers give their best of work when people are in the festive mood. Lining up a string of shows and releasing singles anyhow, is not what makes musicians great.
Great is an entertainer who meets the fans’ expectations. Today’s music fans are aware of time. When to release and market one’s works is of essence.
Another great anticipation from the fans is for our entertainers to make use of video technology. The visual impact of entertainment needs no further explanation. If in doubt, watch MTV.
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