daniel chigunwe
Trust Khosa
AFTER a hectic festive season schedule, sungura ace Alick Macheso has suspended live shows until February 1.
Macheso, who typically retreats to his farm in Chivhu for annual leave, held a series of performances from December 20 to 31 last year.
In an interview, Tichaona Makahamadze, the head of publicity for Orchestra Mberikwazvo and a close confidante of Macheso, confirmed the sungura king’s annual leave.
“We are taking a break for our annual leave after a busy festive season, during which we performed daily from December 20 through New Year’s Eve.
“As musicians, we work hard during the festive season, as people need fun during the holidays.
“Typically, we hold an average of three shows per week, so it’s advisable to take a break in January and recharge our batteries ahead of the new season, which begins in February,” he said.
Makahamadze said that morale was high within the Orchestra Mberikwazvo camp.
“As a band, we always check on each other, and we are pleased to be going on holiday in January after a busy year.
“The life of an artiste can be challenging because we are constantly travelling across the country.
“There are times when musicians miss their families, which can be tough for any family setup,” he explained.
Makahamadze, who has managed Macheso’s affairs with distinction for years, assured fans that the band will return rejuvenated.
“We will resume shows in the first week of February after a well-deserved rest, and our fans can expect an electrifying comeback.
“While the band is on annual leave, we will hold rehearsals during the last week of January to ensure we come back in good shape.
“We are known for giving our all on stage wherever we perform, and our fans know this well.”
However, January has historically been a challenging month for many musicians, as some members often find themselves idle during this time of the year.
Makahamadze emphasised that this is not the case at Orchestra Mberikwazvo, where professionalism is a core principle.
“As I mentioned earlier, we prioritise professionalism at Orchestra Mberikwazvo, which has kept us moving forward.
“We encourage our band members to be role models in their communities to protect our brand. We do not tolerate unprofessional behaviour as it can tarnish our reputation,” he stated.
Outlining their plans for the first quarter, Makahamadze said:
“We promise more music, videos, and a series of shows across the country. As a prominent brand, our goal is to keep our fans entertained.
“We will also produce new videos to promote our music beyond our borders. Our fans have been eagerly awaiting new visuals, and it is our aim as a band to provide them with fresh content.
“As a reputable band, we can’t afford to disappoint our fans because they have always been loyal to us over the years. We always put our fans first because they are the ones who pay our bills.”
The camp also expressed gratitude to fans for their support throughout 2024.
“The past year was indeed eventful for us, as our fans showed us immense love. We need to appreciate the good things our fans do for us to ensure our continued progress.
“We thrive because of the unwavering support from our fans, who have remained loyal during both challenging and joyful times,” he said.
Macheso is a high-profile musician with a busy schedule throughout the year.
Other top artistes who often go on annual leave during this period include Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu, Andy Muridzo, and several gospel musicians.
January is typically a slow month for musicians, as fans have often exhausted their finances during the festive season, and the back-to-school demands further impact revellers, prompting artistes to scale back on live shows.
