Online Reporter
Ruth Butaumocho and Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Epic!
The above describes the inaugural Ecobank Legends Night 2025 that took place on Sunday Night at the Rainbow Towers in Harare.
The show that attracted music fans from Harare and its environs lived up to its billing as the popular boy band, “Intotal Band” thrilled legions of music fans with a well-coordinated and rich discography from both living and late Zimbabwean musicians.
From sungura, Dendera, Chimurenga music, gospel and urban grooves, the highly expectant music fans danced the night away, singing along to their legends’ top songs.
Fans were taken down memory lane, two or more decades back as they danced to the classic “Solo naMutsai” from Devera Ngwena Jazz Band, “Character” from the late music crooner Tendai Mupfurutsa, Calvin and Muzi’s “Tombofara”, Leonard Zhakata’s “Mugove”, Andy Brown’s “Mapurisa” and “Todii” from national hero, Dr Oliver Mutukudzi.
The band churned out the late Andy Brown’s “Mapurisa”, “Shungu Iwe”, “Rudo Imoto” from Marshall Munhumumwe, Shingisai Suluma’s “Fara Zvakadaro”, “Nyoka Musango” from Thomas Mapfumo, “Huya Uzoona” from late Stella Chiweshe and “Special Meat” from Callisto Nyamhute.
Intotal Band made up of different session musicians was in indeed in control of the musical extravaganza, and proved their mettle in putting together a high octane musical show of just renditions.
They did not leave any room for flaws either in sound and in voices. The connection they exhibited of both voices and body language showed that they had done their homework well and were prepared to enthral their fans.
The voice imitations were exuberant, tight and sounded real so much that one would have been mistaken to think that some of the musical legends were actually in the house.
Even the vintage and classic dressing of flared high waist trousers, “berry-bottoms”, floral waist coats, shiny sequins outfits and long afro hairstyles were befitting costumes for such a show.
Obvious it was about the legends, yesteryear music, hence the disco setup style.
To put icing on the cake, the show also some of the local saxophonists performing together on the song, “Ndire”, which brought the whole auditorium to standstill.
Speaking at the show, Ecobank senior executive, Mark Dengwani paid tribute to the fans, saying Legend Nights will be bigger and better next year.
“It is exciting to see music fans from all walks enjoying themselves like this.
“We hope to make the Ecobank Legends Night bigger and better next year,” he said.
In Total band founder member and director Joseph Chinouriri said he was happy and shocked at the same time that they had filled the giant auditorium of Harare International Conference Centre, (HICC).
“This is God and I can tell you I am still in shock. After the change of venue last minuet due to some logistics with the marketed venue (Harare Gardens), I was a bit hesitant as I thought as young as we are, HICC was too big for us,” he said.
“Three days prior to the show, the tickets started selling like hot cakes and I said to my team this is a miracle.”
Chinouriri said he was cleared for all copyright acts.
“What we played was cleared by relevant authorities. We did not do things on our own rather we engaged even the families of the legends. They all know about this.
“Next year it will be bigger and better and I want to thank everyone who supported us from the start, our families, fans, stakeholders and not forgetting the InTotal team.”
The saxophonist also confirmed they are taking the show to Bulawayo and United Kingdom this year.
“We are happy to announce that we are taking the concept to Bulawayo on June 14 and as for the United Kingdom fans, they can expect us in August. The logistics are currently taking shape.”
