Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
THE ninth edition of the Jacaranda Music Festival gets underway in Harare this weekend but the weather could be its BIGGEST challenge, especially on the first day today.
The three-day festival will be held at Thornpark Polo Club.
It runs from today to Sunday.
Organisers are putting the final touches to what is expected to be another major celebration of Zimbabwean and regional music.
And, while the festival is not facing a forecast of bad weather throughout the weekend, today could present the biggest headache, particularly for preparations and the opening day.
The Met Office forecast for Harare shows cloudy conditions and drizzle today, with temperatures reaching around 17°C and a minimum of about 10°C. Its hourly forecast indicates a possibility of light showers throughout much of the day, with the chance of precipitation rising to around 60 percent during the afternoon.
Another forecast says there will be a 46 percent chance of rain, with possible drizzle and overcast conditions.
That could prove uncomfortable for festival-goers, particularly because Jacaranda is an outdoor experience.
The opening day is being headlined by Jah Prayzah and The Travellers Band, with Tamy Moyo, Andile Brown, DJ Young Vibes and Brze also scheduled to perform.
But there is some good news.
Tomorrow, when the festival enters its second day, the conditions are expected to be considerably better, with sunny intervals and a high of around 21°C, according to the Met Office.
The chance of rain is forecast to remain below 10 percent for most of the day.
Sunday is also looking relatively favourable, with sunny intervals, cloudy periods and temperatures reaching around 22°C, while rain chances remain low.
So, rather than a weekend washout, Jacaranda could be facing a wet opening followed by a much friendlier festival weekend.
And that will come as welcome news to organisers who have been working for months to bring together one of Zimbabwe’s biggest annual music gatherings.
Now in its ninth edition, the Jacaranda Music Festival has established itself as an important fixture on Zimbabwe’s entertainment calendar.
This year’s festival carries the theme “The Music. The People.
The City.”, reflecting its attempt to bring together established musicians, emerging artists, DJs and audiences in one large cultural experience.
Festival director, Walter Wanyanya, said preparations were progressing well, with production, artists, partners, logistics and the different festival experiences coming together.
Tomorrow brings another heavyweight line-up featuring Maluka, Msiz’kay, Njelic, Mr JazziQ, Feli Nandi, Sylent Nqo, Calequi Y Las Panteras, Nasibo and Jnr Spragga, among others.
The closing day will see performances from JustLeo, Mandie Mae, Nizhe De Soul, Zes Nxumalo, Cairo, Fusion 5 Mangwiro, Minister Michael Mahendere and Mookomba, among others.
Bulawayo artists such as Maluka, Mandie Mae, JustLeo and Msiz’kay will bring the City of Kings’ vibe into the festival conversation.
That diversity has become part of Jacaranda’s identity.
It is no longer simply a concert built around one headline act.
It has developed into a platform where different generations, genres and cities collide, giving audiences an opportunity to move between contemporary Zimbabwean sounds, gospel, Afro-house, reggae and regional influences.
The only question now is whether the skies will cooperate.
For today, festival-goers may need jackets, umbrellas and a little patience.
But if the current forecast holds, the clouds should give way to significantly better conditions on Saturday and Sunday.
