adminMaria Chiguvari
URBAN grooves artists are still packing out theatres, as proved by hundreds of dedicated fans who turned out for a concert to revive the genre.
The Venue, which is located in Avondale, hosted the urban grooves concert on Saturday, attracting a full house.
Some fans were turned away after the venue became too small.
The performers and audience alike were in good spirits throughout the night and each performance was met with cheering by the crowd.
Most artists did not even have to try because from the moment they strode on stage the audience went crazy.
Saturday night’s live performance was a completely different experience to listening to recorded music.
A skilled and experienced performer knows how to get the audience going, even if he has only his piano and voice to work with and the artists made it quite a memorable night.
The show featured the likes of Roki, Decibel, Tererai, Shinsoman, Xtra Large, Stunner, Mafriq, Diana, BaShupi, Plaxedes, Madiz, Dino Mudondo, Maskiri, EXQ, Nasty Trixx, Dj Tamuka, Willom Tight, Trevor Dongo and Pauline.
Maskiri
Leonard “Leo” Mapfumo and Rockford Roki Josphats emerged as Urban Grooves’ darlings in 2002 with the hit ‘Seiko’, which earned Roki a National Arts Merit Award (NAMA), for most promising artist, in 2003.
In 2005 the duo produced an album, titled R & L, with the song Maidei reaching the number one spot on ZBC top 10 singles charts and staying in the charts for 42 weeks, a feat that is yet to be matched, ever since, by other musicians.
Given how well the show was smooth and successful, fans hope organisers will plan more concerts featuring urban grooves artists.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter