Whenever a music act makes its long time in coming return to Zimbabwe, it is almost always fondly remembered. The last time they came is regarded as the good old days and no matter the brilliance of their latest releases, a part of the night belongs to nostalgia. Even last year Burna Boy took a moment to take us back to 2015 when he had had his last performance and his collaboration with AKA & co "All Eyes On Me" was still dominating the airwaves.
Last night was even more so. A night of reminiscing and taking it back to when reggae was the sound of the world. Over 40 years after their last and only performance here, UB40 was in Zimbabwe once again. Somewhat different in personnel but bring the same sound that makes them as loved now as they were then. The rugby fields at Old Hararians Sports Club were transformed into an Ali Campbell-voiced time machine.
Ngoma Nehosho conducted a masterclass on how to put on a show, barring the slightest of hiccups. Entry into the concert was a fairly painless procedure. You exchanged your tickets for tags at a desk and then walked in with there barely a queue. Although it should be noted that we were fashionable in our arrival and by the ease of getting in, I almost assumed the supposed "controversy" of false advertising had dampened the turnout but that would've been far from wrong.
We arrived as Tich Mataz (Spelt Comfort Mbofana) guided the crowd through an interlude between performances. An impeccable MC as ever, in working with an audience. Mimmie Tarukwana and Josh Ansley had already wrapped up their performances and Tich Mataz was about to introduce the "Guitar Sangoma", Sylent Nqo and his band brothers.
His performance would reveal that he has an apt moniker because the "Guitar Sangoma" is truly a wizard with the guitar. Belting out songs with interesting, if not somewhat eccentric lyrics, the scintillating notes from his guitar were a constant presence that reached places few performances do in the eardrum. It was an eclectic fusion of music genres, electrifying in how unknown tunes and melodies grabbed your attention with nothing else capable of distracting you.
Sylent Nqo and his band of brothers gave an outstanding account of themselves. It was the perfect act of instrumentation to wow a live crowd and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell couldn't have asked for a better act to marinade the audience for them.
Up to then, the event was running so efficiently on time that it was ahead of schedule, almost to its own peril. Tich Mataz and Dj Chiweddar once again occupied the crowd and the music selection was a true statement of nostalgia that filled the air on the night. September came on to an eruption of noise and the natural swaying of bodies as everyone brought out their dance moves. As the music went on and the crowd was once again asked if they were ready for UB40 a slight angst began to grow.
Last night was even more so. A night of reminiscing and taking it back to when reggae was the sound of the world. Over 40 years after their last and only performance here, UB40 was in Zimbabwe once again. Somewhat different in personnel but bring the same sound that makes them as loved now as they were then. The rugby fields at Old Hararians Sports Club were transformed into an Ali Campbell-voiced time machine.
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| UB40 featuring Ali Campbell on stage at Old Hararians Sports Club Image: Twitter/jimshinky |
It was a melting pot of Gen X, Millennials, and Generation Z. You could easily bump into your grandparents, as you would your aunts and uncles, or even your youngest siblings. It was different generations united in sound. The cast of the crowd showcased Zimbabwe as a rainbow nation in more ways than one.
Ngoma Nehosho conducted a masterclass on how to put on a show, barring the slightest of hiccups. Entry into the concert was a fairly painless procedure. You exchanged your tickets for tags at a desk and then walked in with there barely a queue. Although it should be noted that we were fashionable in our arrival and by the ease of getting in, I almost assumed the supposed "controversy" of false advertising had dampened the turnout but that would've been far from wrong.
We arrived as Tich Mataz (Spelt Comfort Mbofana) guided the crowd through an interlude between performances. An impeccable MC as ever, in working with an audience. Mimmie Tarukwana and Josh Ansley had already wrapped up their performances and Tich Mataz was about to introduce the "Guitar Sangoma", Sylent Nqo and his band brothers.
 |
| Sylent Nqo on stage at Old Hararians Sports Club Image: Twitter/jimshinky |
His performance would reveal that he has an apt moniker because the "Guitar Sangoma" is truly a wizard with the guitar. Belting out songs with interesting, if not somewhat eccentric lyrics, the scintillating notes from his guitar were a constant presence that reached places few performances do in the eardrum. It was an eclectic fusion of music genres, electrifying in how unknown tunes and melodies grabbed your attention with nothing else capable of distracting you.
 |
Sylent Nqo and his band on stage at Old Hararians Sports Club Image: Twitter/jimshinky |
Sylent Nqo and his band of brothers gave an outstanding account of themselves. It was the perfect act of instrumentation to wow a live crowd and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell couldn't have asked for a better act to marinade the audience for them.
Up to then, the event was running so efficiently on time that it was ahead of schedule, almost to its own peril. Tich Mataz and Dj Chiweddar once again occupied the crowd and the music selection was a true statement of nostalgia that filled the air on the night. September came on to an eruption of noise and the natural swaying of bodies as everyone brought out their dance moves. As the music went on and the crowd was once again asked if they were ready for UB40 a slight angst began to grow.
 |
| Ali Campbell on stage at Old Hararians Sports Club Image: Twitter/jimshinky |
It was only short though as at 9 pm, and right on time UB40 and Ali Campbell took the stage. In the days building up to the concert a lot had been made on whether Zimbabwe was getting the "right" UB40 and a shadow had been cast on Ngoma Nehosho for baiting revellers with their advertising. However from the moment, the first guitar note was sent out and Ali Campbell's iconic voice belted out the first words to "Here I Am", all perceived infractions were forgotten.
A voice inside me was instantly screaming, "That's him! That's the voice I used to hear on the radio!" as if in triumphant vindication for paying the price of admission. The music sounded as seamless as the day it was recorded and the crowd responded to the display by erupting in song. It felt like it was half a concert, half a pub choir but a screen broadcasting lyrics wasn't needed.
A voice inside me was instantly screaming, "That's him! That's the voice I used to hear on the radio!" as if in triumphant vindication for paying the price of admission. The music sounded as seamless as the day it was recorded and the crowd responded to the display by erupting in song. It felt like it was half a concert, half a pub choir but a screen broadcasting lyrics wasn't needed.
From "Here I Am", we were serenaded by classic after classic. UB40 featuring Ali Campbell went into Homely Girl, Groovin, Cheery Oh Baby, One in Ten, and If It Happens Again and even gave us some of their more recent releases. The crowd kept up with them in both song and dance.
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| UB40 featuring Ali Campbell on stage at Old Hararians Sports Club Image: Twitter/jimshinky |
There was however a few moments when the crowd dipped in voice. The band was still churning out global hits but they seemed like they were not so much hits in the global south as they were only sporadic pockets of people singing along. However, what followed after this was THE UB40 SONG! Red Red Wine was greeted with such a raucous welcome, it was certainly the song the crowd had been waiting for and it sounded as beautiful as I had imagined.
The band captured the music as well as the finest orchestra performing symphony and Ali Campbell's voice was euphonious. There was a crescendo in the atmosphere as the artist and audience felt the most climactic of music experiences. As Red Red Wine came to an end it immediately felt as if the show had wrapped up. People started making for the exits and the crowd that remained was rather apprehensive.
The band captured the music as well as the finest orchestra performing symphony and Ali Campbell's voice was euphonious. There was a crescendo in the atmosphere as the artist and audience felt the most climactic of music experiences. As Red Red Wine came to an end it immediately felt as if the show had wrapped up. People started making for the exits and the crowd that remained was rather apprehensive.
It felt like that situation we've come to know all too well. Another event organizer had made promises the actual performances wouldn't check. Yet the exodus was halted as we got introduced to Paul Slowly. The UB40 drummer sent out quick booming, taut sounds across the ground as he commenced his drum solo and what a solo it was. It was crisp rhythmic variations that flowed in and out of intensity.
Suddenly three-point turns were made at the exit, camp chairs were opened up again and everyone started wondering "Are they coming back?"
For a moment almost stranger than fiction, the crowd sang "One more, one more..." (as Paul Slowly rounded up his performance) and an artist actually listened. Ali Campbell's voice burst out again on the speakers and we were once again back in the grip of nostalgia's hands.
Ali Campbell pulled on the heartstrings of the romantic within all of us as he performed (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You. The crowd slowly danced and sang along, as past memories created present emotions. Then finally it was the end. Just right on time to shatter all stereotypes about Zimbabwean event organizers.
We made our way out with new memories etched in our minds by the songs of the old. It was a near-perfect event in the organization.
I will however fault a little for the lack of a chair vendor and a lot for the lack of consideration for disability access, we all want to be at these concerts too but in terms of events I've been to they certainly did better than most.
Greedysouth rating: 8.5/10.
Suddenly three-point turns were made at the exit, camp chairs were opened up again and everyone started wondering "Are they coming back?"
For a moment almost stranger than fiction, the crowd sang "One more, one more..." (as Paul Slowly rounded up his performance) and an artist actually listened. Ali Campbell's voice burst out again on the speakers and we were once again back in the grip of nostalgia's hands.
 |
| Ali Campbell performing on stage at Old Hararians Sports Club Image: Twitter/jimshinky |
Ali Campbell pulled on the heartstrings of the romantic within all of us as he performed (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You. The crowd slowly danced and sang along, as past memories created present emotions. Then finally it was the end. Just right on time to shatter all stereotypes about Zimbabwean event organizers.
We made our way out with new memories etched in our minds by the songs of the old. It was a near-perfect event in the organization.
I will however fault a little for the lack of a chair vendor and a lot for the lack of consideration for disability access, we all want to be at these concerts too but in terms of events I've been to they certainly did better than most.
Greedysouth rating: 8.5/10.
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