Zim's Finest Gig on the Cards

Come September 30, Harare will be set ablaze as the country’s big Five clash head on at what is billed to be the ‘Finest Gig of the year. Topping the bill are superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, Tongai Moyo, Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu and Winky D. The gig is being hosted by Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions. Patson said, " we want to urge music fans to come early because we have five of the best musicians plus the promoter to make it the ‘big six'. This is the first of a series of big shows that we've lined up before year ends," Chimbodza said.

Given such a bill, the concert resembles a "truth or dare" game where whoever opens the show will raise the bar high for those that will follow.
From the look of things, there will be no lowlights at the concert since all the musicians are riding high in their respective genres. It can be argued that whoever plays after Mtukudzi or simply Tuku, will have to up their game as most fans have a tendency to leave the venue - which in this case is the Andy Millar Hall - as soon as the "Meso Piriviri" leaves the stage.

But there is an old saying that says an artiste is as good as his last gig, so maybe the focus will not be on Tuku since Macheso is no pushover. Remember last month in Chitungwiza, when Tuku went head-to-head with Extrabasso! Tuku is an accomplished artiste whose performances are as varied as his music and fans should expect more from the granddad of music. Already, the gig has all the signs of a thriller and what is all the more exciting is that Winky D, born Wallace Chirumiko, is the only dancehall artiste on the bill. 

We have seen battles between sungura and katekwe before, but the fight is no longer between the two genres as dancehall music is fast gaining ground. Winky D or simply the Bigiman appeals to a crossover audience especially now that he is backed by a live band. During his last outing at the City Sports Centre, Bigiman proved his mettle as a composer, songwriter and chanter of repute. The Bigiman never runs shot of ideas and each performance is refreshingly executed although it is difficult for any musician to satisfy their fans. 

The poor people's devotee as he is known in other circles is known to deliver tight and well-thought out sets which delight his audiences. The same could be said of Sulu, who we all know is riding on the success of his late father Simon "Chopper" Chimbetu. One thing that has put Sulu on the spotlight is his zeal and energy on stage. 

But which ever way you look at the line up, you get the feeling that this could be the gig that most music lovers have been waiting for. Imagine the combination of Extrabasso and Dhewa, two of Zimbabwe's top sungura thoroughbreds. Perhaps to find out who is going do what and how, make a date with "Zim's Finest" gig and you won't regret being there.