Music, The Guitar and Live Shows.

Recently I attended my first Alexio Kawara show and it got me thinking about live performances, what I prefer and what I despise. As people we are different in terms of the music we listen to and how we prefer to consume it, some people just prefer consuming music on their phones whilst laying on bed, some in the car,  some prefer to consuming it at a club, some prefer live shows or even all of the mentioned methods...in fact there are much more ways to consume music. Personally I'm a huge fan of music, I'll be listening to music most of my time; be it at work, driving, at home, at an outing, even at church I cannot afford to miss the praise and worship time, I just love my music.

I even joined the praise and worship team at my assembly because for me a good praise session and a powerful worship session makes my soul very happy, it uplifts me and leaves me ready to hear the word. I love witnessing and/or being part of a solid live act. Even besides church I love witnessing a superb live performance.

When I listen to a song the instrumental captures my attention first before I even comprehend what the song is about. Specifically i'm a sucker for good guitar work, the guitar enchants me and any track with some sublime guitar work immediately becomes a favourite. My favourite artist of all time Dr Thomas Mapfumo has some awesome guitar riffs, progressions on most of his tracks, mainly thanks to the legendary guitarist Jonah Sithole. I cannot get enough of his music, the chimurenga guitar riffs and the superb complementing bass guitar work mesmerizes me every time. The only thing left is to witness the Legend live on stage.

All the other artists I hold in high regard such as Simon Chimbetu, Leonard Dembo, Bhundu Boys, Four Brothers, Oliver Mtukudzi, James Chimombe, Mokoomba, Victor Kunonga...etc have all understood and mastered the power and importance of good guitar work, When an artist has knowledge of how powerful and timeless good guitar work is even their live show can be one unforgettable experience. 

Due to the economic situations we're facing as a country artists cannot afford to rely on album sales so live shows remain their major source of income. Every weekend there are loads of shows lined up in cities and towns all over the country. Some artists may hold up to 4-5 shows a single weekend. Have managed to attend a number of shows and many a times I have been disappointed. Many artists just turn up on stage so they could just get the cash with little or no focus of giving the fans a memorable show.

Over time I have evolved and I am no longer that fan who gets euphoric just because an artists I like is on stage. A well made and executed set is what gets me going crazy. Show me that as an artist you have prepared for the show with me (the fan) in mind. Above all show me you can play that song I love as good as or better than how it sounds on the disk. I'm fumed by artists who perform their songs at a faster tempo than its original tempo...like what are you hiding??, what cant you replicate??.Well I'm more of a Afro Jazz, Chimurenga, Reggae, Dendera, Afro Fusion, Deep House guy so I prefer music as smooth as it's created to be, I love to hear that superb guitar riff, that superb keyboard work, that drum part that made me fall in love with song as it is. Yes an artist will add some keys/progressions or give more time to a certain part of a song to make the song more enjoyable during the live show but not changing the essence of the song.

Also I believe an artists music should move the fans and get them on the dancefloor without the artist shouting or instructing them to do so. If one relies on telling people to dance, raise their hands, clap their hands how can such an artist make people who does  not understand his/her language enjoy the show. An artists must let his music and performance do the talking whilst they just sing. 

Enjoyed myself kuChina kwaAlexio Kawara on Thursday, his set was minimal and straight to the point. It was not about packing unnecessary dancers on stage, it's just him and the band with the music taking center stage. The best live performers in Zimbabwe Mokoomba do not crowd the stage or continually instruct fans to dance, clap and sing along they let their well thought stage work and performance do the talking. Despite very few people understanding the Tonga they sing in, their shows are always memorable. If you attend one of their shows you will understand why they are the most traveled local band since the Bhundu Boys and Four Brothers in the late 80's and early 90's.

Talking about great bands like Bhundu Boys and Four Brothers their live shows were well organised, less clutter on stage, minimal stage work capped with superb performances from all band members they delivered some unforgettable live shows. The biggest artists to ever emerge from Zimbabwe, Dr Thomas Mapfumo, Dr Oliver Mtukudzi, Leonard Dembo, Simon Chimbetu all follow a similar template. The stage is only occupied by very few people, those who play a part in the music itself. They have understood that the main thing about a live show is not to have the fans occupied with whats happening on the stage more than the music itself, that is why when they perform on huge stages where not everyone can see them, those who have the worst view of the stage will still enjoy the show.

So in conclusion I urge artists to improve their music, make use of live instruments (esp the guitar) and not make live shows about them but about the music.