A small pub in Randburg played host to probably the best dancehall artist in Zimbabwe at the moment, Killer T on Saturday the 4th of November.
Despite my best intentions not to get frustrated in any way over what seems to be a perennial culture for Zimbabwean music promotion, that of poor planning and live shows, I couldn’t help but just.
The show, supposed to start at six in the evening (a suspicious time from the onset) started at one in the morning the following day. The worst ever wait I have ever had to endure for an artist, especially after having spent my hard earned R100 to gain entry and travelled across two Gauteng regions.
The club, Alicats, was definitely the wrong place to host the dancehall artist having only a few square meters allocated to the show and the rest to a different DJ and a VIP enclosure. By the time he eventually got on stage, seven hours later, he struggled to move freely with a stampede ensuing at the only entrance and exit to the club.
Killer T performing at Ali Cats in Randburg (Pic by Joseph Maramba)
I guess there is no denying that the more artists from Zimbabwe fail to put on a good show outside their boarders, they only tarnish the effort to further put our music and artistry on the map.
Killer Tee is getting good air play on regional stations and should have known better than to keep the crowds waiting for more than seven hours.
I caught wind of a rumour that ensued during the long wait that as we waited, that Killer Tee was playing at another venue in the same town. Efforts to get any sort of answers as to the long wait were nonexistent, staff from the club kept promising he was going to show up soon.
Many a times, fans outside Zimbabwe have been shortchanged by cash mongers who have no respect in honouring professionalism. Artists have been advertised and not showed up which has left a lot of fans wondering whether to attend some shows advertised within the city.
Unless a show is advertised by professionally run organisations such as Computicket, which has the ability to advertise, organize and set up the shows according to demand and even refund if anything fails, Zimbabweans living in South Africa simply leave it to chance when it comes to any other advertised show.
Yesterday was less disappointing compared to other flaws, given the fact that Killer T eventually showed up.
My only fear is ruining the next time they decide to invite him again, fans will most probably choose to arrive at midnight or later or never. Negatively playing on his brand and professional levels.
If there were any hidden plans to push bar sales for seven hours before he came on stage, it worked but not for the second time running. Chances are the next time he is at the same club, less fans will travel to see him unless his management explains to the many fans that were packed like sardines and had to wait for hours on end just to see him perform.
Comments