Lira leaves music lovers spellbound

the weekend.
It was the first time for the South African artiste to perform in Harare and what a show it was as the crowd sang along with her.
Dressed in a long dress with traditional prints, Lira – whose real name is Lerato Molapo – was just what the fans had wanted to see in a long time.
From her stage presence, crowd control to energy on stage it was all high quality. And the audience had some faces, which you don’t normally see at every other concert.
Such was the crowd at the Borrowdale Racecourse where everything just went according to plan.
But there was no denying the fact that Lira had come prepared for the show and her act felt a lot like a home show since the audience sang along to her Afro-jazz music.
According to some online reports, Lira’s music “is a sweet mix of Afro-Jazz, R&B, soul among others.”
She performed songs from the albums “All My Love”, “Feel Good”, “Soul In Mind” and the latest “Return to Love”.
Besides Lira, there were other local acts among them Jazz Invitation, Dudu Manhenga, Cool Crooners, and Victor Kunonga who staged brilliant performances.
Highlights of the concert included a performance by the granddads of music – the Cool Crooners, Dudu’s grand entrance as well as Kunonga’s fine finish.
The Cool Crooners had the audience eating from their palms when they played a cover version of the song “Just When I Needed You Most” and their hit “Bulugwa Lami”.
If there is anything interesting about the group it has the energy, which defies their ages.
They sing so well like they are still in their teens.
Kunonga also had a time of his life after he hit the stage after Lira’s performance.
He managed to entertain a big crowd although some people left the venue after Lira’s act.
The Mayidarirei singer showed why he belongs to the stage with a good delivery of his songs.
In fact, the whole concert was well-organised and it went a long way to prove that local musicians are keeping up with world standards.
Sponsored by NetOne, Convex, RTG among others, the show lived up to its billing “Jazz Under the Stars” and it gave a foretaste of what to expect at the upcoming Harare International Jazz Festival.