When it comes to festivals, concerts and the like, events are loved for either of two reasons: The concept or the artist lineup, with a few managing to excel at both.
When Girlfest made it's debut in 2019 it was the first event of it's kind in Zimbabwe (China Chemadzimai aside). A women only festival, offering up a safe space and opening up the festival experience to people who used to find it inaccessible. An experience for women by women.
The concept easily endeared itself to Zimbabwean women, and other event organisers saw the potential in the novel idea. One event became two, and two became more, yet 6 years later it still feels like it's not yet enough. The daring idea of two sisters, gave birth to a concept that has now touched every corner of the country, with women still wanting more.
From themes of colour and throwbacks to the past, Girlfest returned this year with "an old affair." Open to interpretation (and not understood at all by the constituents at the time of announcement), the end result was a sea of well starched sunhats, summer dresses and outfits that carried an elegance perfect for a day at the horses. The lineup featured Pretty Gangsta, Mimi, Kae Chaps, Chillmaster, Qounfuzed, Tamy Moyo, Dexta Rapper & Dad, Blaq Diamond, DJ KingHer and ExQ.
To add to the star studded affair were robotic mascots, giant teddy bears, stilt walkers and fire breathers in the audience that were a constant source of intrigue. It almost felt more carnival than music festival, and a theme park in one corner was just the missing piece. Completing this atmosphere were music performances that didn't disappoint.
Kae Chaps was soul and heartbreak, as he went through his repertoire of love songs. "Huchapa," "Murder Mudhara," "Gehena," "Juzi," and "Madiro." He sang with an answering choir and his only failing (if they has to be one) was not performing more music from his recent album (it's brilliant). Yet with Blaq Diamond as headliners, the night had a strong leaning towards nostalgia.
On paper Dexta Rapper and his dad (Daddy Yo) were an act that went against the theme and on the day they were even far more outside the box than expected. It was "Waa Waa Waa In The Waa," then again, and again, and again, and still the audience wanted more. In some moments it seemed like the music didn't matter and the crowd's only concern was the movement of Daddy Yo's waist.
Blaq Diamond came on after the duo (it was great seeing them take a break from dog sitting for Cyan Boujee), and it was like the year was 2020 and "Summer Yomuthi" was dominating the airwaves. The audience was meant for them, and no matter how far back they went in their discography, the words to the music were sang back to them.
On this night, however, ExQ was the true star of the occasion. Singer and audience were in synch, as he sang hit after hit, with great choreography from his dancers for company. A few selections from his most recent offering (Rhaka Rhaka), were followed by the classics and hundreds of voices belted out each song in unison. As the performance reached its crescendo, fireworks were set off (it's not a big deal but they didn't give me back my lighter after borrowing it for that) and that was possibly the night's most perfect moment.
Pretty Gangsta had understood the assignment as resident DJ, KVG had been the host with the most, the sound engineer would've even impressed Silent Killer... However the curation on the day had been a let down. By the end of the afternoon, the timetable had already been thrown out the window and when ExQ finished, DJ KingHer didn't have the chance to even get to the decks.
For an event for women, the women performers had been sidelined, and while the occasion is for the attendees the organisers could've done more for women as a whole. More women on the lineup, more women on the prime time spots (and not just the opening and ending), more women in other aspects of the event.
However, all of these detours aside, what makes Girlfest what it is can be summed up in one word; FREEDOM. The freedom for women to express themselves in voice, in dance, in fashion and in any other way they desire without judgement (except maybe a disapproving look from one of the security guys by the fence). The festival brings together a community that understands that sometimes, girls just want to have fun.
Greedysouth rating: 7.6/10
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