Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
JACARANDA Music Festival bowed out on a high note yesterday after three days of music, fun and revelry despite unfriendly weather that threatened to dampen the annual fiesta.
While Friday and Saturday were characterised by unpredictable weather, with rain and cloudy conditions, yesterday provided the perfect curtain call as the sun finally made a welcome appearance.
And, once the skies cleared, fans made sure they made the most of it.
The festival, which ran from Friday to yesterday, had already attracted thousands of music lovers eager to celebrate Zimbabwean music, with a mixture of established stars, emerging acts and live bands keeping the crowd entertained throughout the weekend.
Friday got the party started with a strong line-up that set the tone for the three-day extravaganza.
Fans braved the chilly weather to watch their favourite performers take to the stage, with the atmosphere steadily building as the evening progressed.
Saturday brought another dose of live entertainment, with artists delivering performances despite the challenging weather conditions.
Performances by Tamy Moyo, Takura, Minister Micheal Mahendere, Enhle, Mwendamberi and Fusion 5 Mangwiro, among others, put on a sterling performance to the jovial crowd. Jah Prayzah was initially expected to be one of the festival’s major attractions.
However, the superstar pulled out of the festival as he continues to grieve the death of his close friend and brother Wicknell Chivayo.
His withdrawal left organisers with a major gap to fill. Enter Intotal Band.
The versatile live band was called upon to step into the gap and they did not disappoint.
Rather than attempting to simply fill Jah Prayzah’s slot, Intotal turned the stage onto their own playground, delivering a scintillating performance that had fans dancing and singing along.
The band showed why they have become one of the most reliable live acts on the local entertainment scene, blending musicianship, energy and crowd interaction into a performance that kept the festival spirit alive.
One fan, who had initially been disappointed by Jah Prayzah’s cancellation, said Intotal changed the mood completely.
“I was disappointed when I heard Jah Prayzah was no longer performing because of the death of Wicknell, but Intotal really surprised me,” said the fan.
“They came prepared and gave us a proper show. By the end, I had forgotten that we were supposed to see Jah. That was a brilliant performance.”
The band’s appearance also demonstrated the importance of having strong live acts capable of responding when major festival plans suddenly change.
Across the weekend, the festival provided a platform for a broad range of performers, with artists taking turns to showcase their music and connect with fans.
The crowd remained resilient despite the weather, with many revellers putting on raincoats, carrying umbrellas and simply choosing to dance through the elements.
By yesterday, however, Mother Nature appeared to finally give the festival a break.
The skies brightened and the sun came out, creating the perfect conditions for the closing day.
Fans arrived in their numbers, with the atmosphere noticeably lighter as families, friends and young revellers settled in for the final performances.
The closing day became a celebration of music, with the crowd singing along to familiar hits while also discovering newer performers.
For organisers, successfully taking the festival through three days, despite the difficult weather conditions, was itself a victory.
Jacaranda Music Festival has grown into one of Zimbabwe’s notable music festivals, bringing together different generations of music lovers under one roof and providing a platform for both established and emerging talent.
This year’s edition also showed the unpredictable nature of live entertainment.
As the final notes rang out on Sunday and fans enjoyed the sunshine, the festival ended not with complaints about the weather, but with memories of music, dancing and an entertainment weekend that refused to be washed away.
Jacaranda may have battled the weather, but in the end, the music won.
