Flopping gigs, where do promoters go wrong?

Langalakhe Mabena 

SOUTH African AmaPiano artiste Young Stunna, real name Sandile Fortune Msimango, is one creative that local music lovers and patrons don’t want to see performing in Bulawayo, not anytime soon.

This is because of the flops that always characterise his gigs every time he is set to perform locally.

Last year in November, Young Stunna aborted a performance at Queens Sports Ground after singing one song, and stormed off the stage in a huff after facing a technical glitch.

Once again, last week, the Adiwele hitmaker left his fans disappointed and disgruntled after he failed to pitch up for a show dubbed Shorts and Shades which was supposed to be held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre.

Fans who were longing to see Young Stunna perform threw bottles on stage and vandalised property at the gig.

But, how does a promoter or an artiste end up provoking spectators to the extent of retaliating and becoming violent at an event?

Apart from being disappointed in the Sete hitmaker not showing up, fans were angry because they sacrificed their time and money to attend this particular event, over the vibrant Bulawayo Sneakers Expo which was taking place at the Mystique Gardens on the same day.

This is not the first time for high profile gigs to clash. In December last year, it was the order of the festive season. 

Again, one may ask why events clash, over an imaginable Bulawayo population.

Celebrated socialite and promoter Mduduzi “Mdu” Mdlongwa said gigs were clashing nowadays because Bulawayo promoters abolished the gig guide and calendar system in recent years, something that has led to many, if not all, gigs flopping.

“The issue of gigs clashing is a new phenomenon in the local showbiz business. Back then promoters were directed by a gig guide or I can simply say a calendar. For example, it was known that on 22 December Black Motion will be in Bulawayo. On Christmas Eve Oskido will be having his All White Party, then on 27 December the Kalawa Jazmee will be hosting the Bulawayo Shutdown.

“These were the promoters who understood the game, its ins and outs as a thorough research and evaluation was done before one engaged to host a show at a particular date.

“Forward to the issue at hand, I think in recent years, especially after Covid-19 pandemic, gigs are clashing because there are new cats in the promotion game who do not have a clue of running their business and protecting their money (that is if there is a need).

“A gig is held so that the promoter earns money, nothing more or less, it’s about the bucks. But current promoters are egocentric and they make these gigs as a way of proving a point. Recently, everyone knew that there will be the annual Bulawayo Sneakers Expo on 21 October. 

“This gig was marketed since January, so one may ask if there was a need for someone to bring Young Stunna and clash with the Expo. It’s a game of personalities and promoters flaunting each other, with the one saying I can do this, with the other saying you can’t defeat me. At the end of the day, the crowd ends up divided. 

“When shows clash, one promoter will go with the cash, the other will suffer. And if it happens that a particular artiste doesn’t attend the gig, be ready for missiles on stage because it has been a trend for flopping gigs in Bulawayo,” said Mdu who has been in the promotion industry for the past 15 years.

Perhaps, the new-age promoters don’t know how it’s done and Mdu continues to break down the rules of the game and procedures to be followed for a gig to be successful.

“There are no shortcuts in doing these gigs. Firstly, in previous years, shows did not clash because one would approach the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and propose a date for hosting a gig. Officials at NACZ would then check if there is no particular gig on the proposed date.

“There was no way gigs clashed because if someone had booked to have a show on the same date as you, the NACZ would recommend that you change your date or postpone the gig.

“Secondly, if you are hosting an international act, they have to be cleared by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra). That act must be accompanied into Zimbabwe by a “trusted’ road manager supplied by the promoter to avoid artistes missing flights.

“For example the promoter for Young Stunna booked flights and cleared the artiste and his crew on time with Zimra, but it happened the artiste decided to change his crew on the last hour, who were obviously not cleared. This led to the artiste not showing up, I mean, how can you perform without your DJ or manager?” questioned Mdu.

What then can be done to solve such chaos and unnecessary flops and drama?

Another veteran promoter Joe Da OG had one or two words to say on the matter.

“It’s simple, even though it might sound like a dream, local promoters must have a union that will govern them in hosting these shows as a way of supporting each other and avoid clashing over shows that will flop.

“If promoter “A” proposes a date and it is approved, he can go ahead advertise and market the gig. Promoter “B” MUST not host a gig on a date that has been taken by promoter “A” as this will lead to one of the two gigs, if not all flopping.

“In that manner, it will allow promoters to all put an effort to help the promoter who is given a green light to make a gig in marketing the show. This will maximise profit on each and every promoter who hosts a gig because they will have a full force and support behind them,” said Joe.

He proposed that local promoters and the NACZ enforces the gig guide/calendar system to avoid chaos, sabotages and clashes on gigs.