It is often said that for any good TV show, you should be hooked by the time you get to the end of the 4th episode. Sold on the plot, in love with the characters, and captivated by the narrative.
Now although Carpe Diem isn't a TV show, it tells stories in house music that certainly make for great episodes. The stage is the screen, the decks are the narrator and everyone in attendance is both audience and actor. DJs offer up sonic soliloquies and at their best, the music has a hold on the crowd as good as a puppeteer's strings.
While Carpe Diem describes itself as just a DJ festival, it is without doubt house music. It's not just an occasion for the international stars, but new names we hadn't discovered. Rising names who get a starring role on the grandest stage, those shining abroad who get their moment home. Defying the clutches of winter, the trap of populism over concepts, Carpe Diem delivered a 4th episode that had us hooked.
Act I was an intriguing amapiano probe (laced with Afro house) by DJ Takue Made The Beat. Black Motion's "Rainbow," Kelvin Momo's "Khawleza," Black Coffee & David Guetta's "Drive," and more than a few kenshinszn exclusives.
Sikhulile came on for Act II with an added layer of tempo, delivering selections like Frigid Armadillo's "Roam in a Day," Re.You & Samm (BE)'s "On Vacation," and the Pierre Johnson & Simeon Remix of an old favourite in "Khona" - a song that a made a regular appearance in sets throughout the day. Sikhulile's set had an exotic edge to it that made it all the more endearing.
Pretty Gangsta arrived next with a switch in sound to amapiano. Kelvin Momo & Stixx's "Violin Sounds," went into Yumbs & Simmy's "You Try," which became Bandros' "Uhambe Wrongo" and on the music went. The exclamation point was Laz Mfanaka's "Gong," which had everyone rushing for Shazam.
Tashinga turned us back to Afro house, with heart thumping grooves that brought out the crowd's dance moves. His hour long infectious performance had local productions as some it's best moments, with Murphy Cubic's "Lelah," Nitefreak's "Maithori," Verseless' "Susan," and Tashinga's own "Mwenje."
Now while the DJs before had been good, Kotwane Hikwa set the place on fire. From the handful of times I've watched him, this was his performance yet. From Sun-El Musician's "Angeke" until Swedish House Mafia's "Don't You Worry Child," it was marathon that felt like a sprint.
Nizhe DeSoul arrived at the stove to find the pot already boiling and he broke it back to a simmer. In the moment the build up felt slow but by the time he finished the "Nizhe DeSoul" ad-lib was being released with the energy back at its peak. The "N Yaa Yere La - MASSALA Remix," Revolution & Andy Brown's "Zim Connection," and Sky White & Double Drop's "Joga" were all elements of a set meant for the sunset.
T-Bass was late on arrival (Sikhulile returning to cover for him) but once at the decks he made up for lost time. It was easy to see why they love him in the Middle East.
From a taste of the night life in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, we dived headlong into a masterclass in amapiano with De Mthuda. The hour simply disappeared. We sang along to "Horns In The Sun," "Sgud Snyc," and "John Wick" but still wanted more.
This hunger was satisfied by the penultimate act of the night, DJ Zinhle. We danced together (us on the Old Hararians lawn and her on top of the decks like her better half Mörda did in December), while she proclaimed us as her "besties" and ululated on mic. To say crowd was entertained, falls short of capturing the moment.
Enoo Napa took to the stage to a waning crowd (a reminder that Afro house as a distinctive genre is still niche in Zimbabwe) but his performance was certainly not wanting. The thumping grooves he delivered were as good as anyone who came before and "Two Zulu Men In Ibiza" was his crowning moment.
Carpe Diem Episode 4 had delivered nothing but house, and although it wasn't the lineups of previous editions in terms of widely recognisable names, it was just as good in the talent on show.
The food stalls, Lugar De Pollo in particular, had been amazing, the stage setup innovative, the sound near perfect, and only just a tweak in curation being the missing piece.
Note: Festival security needs to extend outside the gates, both for safeguarding the cars and ensuring people can get to their inDrives hassle free. This goes for Carpe Diem and all other festivals, its one area everyone definitely overlooks.
Greedysouth rating: 7.8/10
