adminEve’s actions had the effect of getting her thrown out of the Garden of Eden, as she had by her actions, forfeited the protection of the Lord and all the joys that went with it. This biblical story might be relevant to Bulawayo’s music industry. There are fears that the love of foreign entertainment may see the decline and eventual extinction of artistes from the city.
Bulawayo revellers seem to enjoy foreign music instead of their own by their own musicians. This is however not unique to Bulawayo as it seems to be the trend the world over. Foreign music it appears whets the appetite of most music fans anywhere in the world.
The danger however is that local artistes risk being materials for the dustbins of musical history.
Most of the shows that are held at Bulawayo’s more prestigious venues during the festive season as was the case last year, were headlined by artistes from outside the city. Very often, Bulawayo artistes are restricted to unfashionable venues. While some may not mind going to see some of the city’s acts at these venues, some may shy away, as they rightly fear for their safety and the quality of service that is provided at these places.
Art is for the people everywhere but it is unfortunate that most of the shows featuring some of the city’s finest talents are confined to venues that are not comfortable to most revellers as they happen to be havens for criminals and generally have poor facilities. Bulawayo artistes have to make do with the worst venues while the best venues remain a preserve for foreigners.
It is not only cream de la crème of artistes from outside Bulawayo that are enjoying good venues but even little known foreigners are enjoying royalty treatment in Bulawayo.
The fans may say they are only consuming what they are fed by club owners and promoters but the promoters and club owners in turn can claim that they are only giving patrons or revellers what they want. It therefore becomes difficult to apportion blame.
What is surprising however, is that Bulawayo artistes enjoy more support away from home. Home ground advantage is what Bulawayo artistes are not enjoying.
Manager at popular Club Forty40 said although the club at times invited artistes from outside the city, there was no deliberate policy to shut out artistes from Bulawayo. He said that they were trying their best to level the playing field so that artistes from the city as well as those from outside could all enjoy performing at the club. He however said at times they had to respond to requests from their patrons.
“We are not trying to sideline Bulawayo artistes in any way but we want to see them gain as much prominence as artistes from Harare and other places. However, we are in business after all and we will bring artistes that are our patrons’ favourties. We have brought artistes like the Cool Crooners to the club which shows we are not deliberately sidelining artistes from the city and I think the same goes for other promoters,” he said.
Prominent Bulawayo artistes Jeys Marabini believes that blame should be directed at the people of Bulawayo who do not show appreciation of artistes from the city. He says even the shows that local artistes held at venues within the city were poorly attended hence promoters were reluctant to engage them.
“The truth is that people in Bulawayo appreciate artistes from outside the city. The result is that we feel more loved by audiences outside the city.
“The amazing thing is that when it comes to performance, these so called artistes do not measure up to the standard that we set as Bulawayo artistes,” he said.
A music fan from Bulawayo, Thabani Dliwayo believes artistes are to blame.
He said artistes should give fans value for money if they were to attract large crowds.
“Look, most of the artistes in Bulawayo just do not give people music that is worth forking out money for. It is our hard earned money and therefore we have the right to demand entertainment that worth the money,” he said.
Online Reporter