Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
JACARANDA Music Festival is using its ninth edition to reflect the changing face of Zimbabwean music by placing both established and emerging local artists at the centre of its three-day programme.
Running under the theme “The Music. The People. The City,” it features some of Zimbabwe’s established names.
They include Jah Prayzah, Tamy Moyo, Feli Nandi, Mokoomba and Minister Michael Mahendere, alongside emerging musicians such as Sylent Nqo, Mwendamberi, Nasibo, Mandie Mae, Enhle and Just Leo.
Jacaranda Music Festival Manager, Tariro Negitare, said the deliberate mix was meant to showcase where Zimbabwean music is today while giving upcoming artists an opportunity to reach wider audiences.
“Our approach this year was very intentional. We wanted the line-up to reflect where Zimbabwean music is right now, while still giving audiences some of the regional and international acts they want to experience.
“A big part of that was putting Zimbabwean artists at the centre.
“We have some of the country’s most established acts, but we have also deliberately created space for emerging artists.
“That balance is important because a festival should not only reflect what is already popular; it should also help introduce.
“There is amapiano, dancehall, contemporary Zimbabwean music, gospel, live band music and electronic sounds, so there is a different energy to each day.”
She added:
“We have also thought about the experience of different generations.
“Someone can come because they love Jah Prayzah or Mokoomba, while a younger audience member might come specifically for Mr JazziQ, Njelic, Zee Nxumalo or one of the newer Zimbabwean artists.
“That creates opportunities for discovery across generations.
“And, that is really what we want Jacaranda to be a place where you can come for the artist you already know, but leave having discovered someone new.
“The festival will also feature regional acts Mr JazziQ, Njelic, Zee Nxumalo and Caiiro, adding a wider Southern African dimension to the event.”
Friday will feature Jah Prayzah and The Travellers Band, while Saturday brings together Feli Nandi, Sylent Nqo, Jnr Spragga, Spirit Chronicles and Msiz’Kay, among others.
Mokoomba, Mahendere and Zee Nxumalo will headline the Sunday programme alongside other contemporary and emerging acts.
She said the ninth edition is also expected to focus on developing the wider creative industry.
She said Festival Managers Roundtable will bring together festival and event managers from Zimbabwe and the region to discuss the business of festivals, sustainability, audience development, partnerships and technology.
The festival is also partnering with the Festival Connect Fund to bring UK-based Larizzle to Zimbabwe creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between creatives from the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tariro said the experience gained from the previous eight editions had shown them that a festival’s growth was not only measured by the size of its line-up.
“One of the biggest things we have learnt is that a festival is much bigger than its line-up.
“Artists will change every year, but the relationship you build with your audience, your partners and the wider creative ecosystem is what allows a festival to grow sustainably.”
As Jacaranda looks ahead to its 10th anniversary in 2027, Tariro said the ninth edition was also about laying the foundation for the festival’s next chapter.
