Poor turnout at Macheso gig

SUNGURA maestro Alick Macheso and his band Orchestra Mberikwazo belted out three new songs from his upcoming album in front of a sizeable crowd during his show at the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo on Saturday night. Macheso, who on the same night shared the stage with Progress Chipfumo, had earlier in the week promised to sample tracks for Bulawayo fans from his upcoming album set for release at the end of this month.

The songs were performed in between his hits and he would indicate to fans that what he was playing next was a track from his new album. However, Extra Basso did not want to reveal the song titles as he wanted to deter music pirates. Fans warmly received the songs but since they did not know the lyrics, this made it hard for them to enjoy each song.

Macheso's upcoming album seems set to be a belter that will have hits and might bring back the Sungura king of yesteryear. Die-hard Macheso fans braved the biting cold windy weather and danced themselves to a standstill on a night where the attendance was not that great. The subdued attendance could also be attributed to the show being ill-timed, as most breadwinners had paid school fees for their children with schools having opened last week.

Other fans especially Dynamos Football Club supporters could not have been in a festive mood as their team was clobbered 3-1 by a fired up FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane earlier in the day.

Gift Gurure, a self proclaimed die-hard Macheso fan, said although he did not have much to spend, he could not miss a Macheso show. "We don't see him performing here every week and when I heard about the show I immediately thought I wouldn't have money for the show. As you know last week we were paying school fees and the show is mid month, so I didn't have that much to spend. I think that's why there aren't many people at the show, but it was a must-attend show for me," said Gurure who lives in Old Lobengula suburb.

Zimbabwe football legend Sunday Chidzambwa was also part of the crowd and was invited on stage by Macheso. At first fans could not make out who it was and after Macheso told them that it was Chidzambwa - who was clad in a pair of blue jeans and a blue t-shirt - the place erupted into wild cheers and whistles of appreciation.

Chidzambwa was in the city as the team he manages ZPC Kariba played log leaders Chicken Inn FC at Luveve Stadium on Saturday afternoon. He seemed to be in need of a bit of cheering up at the show as his charges were edged 2-1 by the Gamecocks. Macheso entered the stage close to midnight and immediately began his performance with hit track Wemakonzo amid wild cheers from his fans.

The show was a mixture of chants and dances of the famous Zora Butter and the bass guitar skills of Baba Shero as Macheso is affectionately known by his legion of fans. Some of the tracks that Macheso performed included Tafadzwa, Sarah, Madhuve, Baba naMai, Chengetai, Chikopokopo and Mundikumbuke.