Unplugged Zimbabwe has now been under the stewardship of King Kandoro for 3 editions. Yet before this (to me) it had never been (and after it will probably revert to factory settings) "King Kandoro’s Unplugged." Maybe it was the half expected public announcement that he was the festival's owner, Tanto Wavie being on lineup or the way The Herald was writing about him.
Whatever it was it succeeded in making this edition his. At the heart of it wasn’t just his longstanding admiration for the event but the story of how he met his wife at the festival (as someone who has attended 9 editions of the event I can safely say I've met the love of my life at each edition). When the gates at First Capital Bank Sports Club, we were in King Kandoro’s music wonderland.
Takura performing at Unplugged's August edition
Shot by Charleen Moyo
Events Evolution were roped in for a colossal structure of a stage (a bit more of the budget on the screens next time), the food village was cosmopolitan, and the Stettyn VIP stand made the general section feel like you were in Crowhill looking at Borrowdale.
Now the opening few hours were a bit of a false start. We won't get too much into it, zviriko. However this left the edition's "Next Superstar" - Delight Hungwe, a little flat footed but the singer gave a good account of himself, especially for a debut performance - his first ever and its Unplugged? Talk about grace.
The singer gave way to Reverb 7, and Reverb did as Reverb does, deftly going through the gears and igniting the crowd into dance. This is probably one of the 10 best DJs the country has produced, and whenever he's given the chance he shows it.
Kim Makumbe took to the stage as the image of elegance. Dressed in a a captivating Soleil piece she equally grabbed attention with her vocals and stage presence. Bringing out Enhle for a beautiful rendition of "Ndichakuda," before serenading us with "Ndendichitodawo."
Tahle We Dzinza arrived next, and sang like she meant to leave her voice on that stage. Not even Kelsea's entire supply could take you to the heights those notes reached. We raged for heartbreak to "Damage," swayed in motion to "Karolina," and rotated our waists to "Teleunga." Arguably the event's best performance.
Now Tanto Wavie has a song called "Dzinga Munyama," based on the long-held Zimbabwean belief that marijuana chases away bad spirits. A belief actually based in science because research has shown that marijuana inhibits REM sleep (dreams), and since bad dreams are believed to come from evil spirits, marijuana becomes fit for purpose. This intuitive brilliance our ancestors showcased is the same kind of ingeniousness Tanto Wavie has in weaving together sounds. This is just to say he was brilliant.
The Travellers Band ignited the party atmosphere, showcasing why they are one country's most sought after instrumental ensembles, and setting us off towards the night's climax.
On the day ZiFM's Tatenda G and Just Tantsa were the hosts, growing into their roles as the day went by. DJ RSK was the lubrication that kept Unplugged running like a well oiled machine, keeping the atmosphere vibrant and joyous.
As the night aproached its climax, the Guitar Sangoma, Sylent Nqo, took to the stage accompanied by his band The Noisemakers. Now we could talk about "Baby Mama," we could talk about "Denga," we could even talk about "Huya," but they all pale to what he did with "Sewe." This was a Zimbabwean rockstar in his element.
Sylent Nqo performing at Unplugged's August edition
Shot by Charleen Moyo
Tamy Moyo was poetry in motion, beautifully combining music and dance without missing beat. What's said about one Tamy Moyo performance can almost be said about each and every one, that's the consistenty she brings. She brought out Delroy Shewe for "Kudanana," then emphatically closed out her performance with "Kwatoenda." Just as King Kandoro had called and Unpluggers answered.
Shona Prince performing at Unplugged's August edition
Shot by Charleen Moyo
The headline act of the night began with Shona Prince, delivering the eclectic catalogue we've come to know and love in recent times. Max Ari joined him for "Ramba Zvako," Tamy Moyo returned to the stage for "Anondida," and "Pote," before Suhn came on for "Cry On My Shoulder" and a cameo that saw him perform "Turn It Up" - a personal highlight of the event.
On the other side of this we got the Takura experience, one that took us back in time and probably outdid any performance he had done before.
Takura performing at Unplugged's August edition
Shot by Charleen Moyo
The stage design had been grand, the food village a delicious offering, and Shabach The Band had been the day's unsung heroes. The amenities could've been better but King Kandoro’s Unplugged had delivered a local showcase that rivalled any edition in recent memory. A defining moment for a new era of the event.
Greedysouth rating: 7.8/10