Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo and Maria Chiguvari
Words can fail to explain the electrifying performances at the just ended publicised concert, ‘Ecobank Legends Night’, held at the Harare International Conference Centre, (HICC).
Despite the show being held on a Sunday evening and the venue having been changed last minute, the organisers of the show were no longer sure about the ability to pull a crowd.
However, history was made.
Thousands of fans thronged the HICC to sing along and dance to their yesteryear tunes until midnight.
They honoured the legendary musicians, and for the record, all music played by the In Total Band at the event was cleared by the authorities, including members of the legends.
Most songs on their playlist were hit songs of local − living and dead − legends, released before the band members were born.
The host InTotal Band gave an electrifying performance.
With a full house the band opened up with “Wenge Mambo” a song by Oliver Mtukudzi.
The band took to the stage, delivering a show-stopping performance that left the crowd in AWE.
From the soulful legendary songs to the high-energy beats, the band brought their A-game.
Part of the playlist included hits from the likes of Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, and Tongai Moyo.
They performed hit songs such as ‘‘Character’’, ‘‘Rudo Runokosha’’, ‘‘Mugove’’, ‘‘Nyoka Musango’’, “Pengaudzoke”, ‘‘Bhurugwa Rangu Rine Chigamba’’, ‘‘Ndakuvara’’, ‘‘Vanhu Vatema’’, and ‘‘Fara Zvakadaro.’’
And it wasn’t just about the music − the “Ecobank Legends Night” was also a night of giving back.
There were food hampers given out for supporting a great cause and bringing the community together.
Fans got value of their money as it was non-stop action, sing-along concert.
This year’s edition was powered by Ecobank, including radio station Star FM, EarGround, Prime Migration Solutions, David Seth Foundation, Stage Line and Gateway Stream among others.
What made the event unique also were the group’s dressing, which resembles the earl and late 80s’, rekindling their love memories of hipsters, berry bottoms, afro wigs, kinky hair, pearls and shining sequins outfits among others.
Speaking on the stage, saxophonist Joseph Chinouriri said he was happy with the turnout.
“Thank you, everyone for coming and making this event bigger we appreciate your support. Thank you to our sponsors who made all this happen,” he said.
“This was a miracle, and we are shocked and surprised at the same time to what we witnessed. I can say ‘This is God’.”
Chinouriri added that the show concept was not ending here as they are taking it to Bulawayo and internationally to the United Kingdom.
“We have already booked dates for Bulawayo and United Kingdom which are June 12 and August 30respectively,” he said.
Meanwhile some fans praised the band for a polished act and thanked the sponsors for supporting the young initiatives.
“This was amazing, and it should not stop there. We had fun, and thank you to the sponsors and the band for rekindling our memories. It is still hard to find such music, and we had a good time,” said James Mapuranga from Hillside.
The Ecobank Legends Night was truly a show to remember. With its incredible playlist, electrifying performances, and spirit of giving, it will go down in history as one of the greatest concerts of the month.
Bongani Ndlovu