EVENTS preceding the highly-rated Jamaican reggae artiste Chris Martin, who performed successfully in the capital last week, show that local music promoters still need to do more to come up with a flawless event.
While the 29-year-old Jamaican lad proved why he is adored the world over, the show was almost marred by somewhat poor preparations by Red Rose Entertainment.
Fortunately, an energised and electrifying performance by Martin made up for the mistakes.
It is important that in future promoters rectify their errors.
Credit to Red Rose Entertainment for managing to bring the internationally acclaimed singer, currently in top form, to Harare seemingly hassle free.
Initially, they did well by assuring fans through getting the artiste to confirm his attendance on the phone in the media, he committed to coming to Harare.
However, when the artiste landed, it appears the promoter was overwhelmed.
For starters, the first official press conference organised for Martin to interact with journalists was a disappointment.
It reflected a lack of professionalism and skills of hosting international artistes.
Promoters and organisers must realise that a press conference is an important platform used not only to advertise an event, but a moment for an artiste to share his sentiments which are relayed to his or her fans by the media.
It is an opportunity for journalists to get more from the artiste and stories produced thereafter are critical to selling a show.
But in this case the organisers of Martin’s ‘Together as one concert’ seemed to have realised at the last minute that there was no venue at the hotel for a press conference.
Thus they opted for an outdoor press conference.
It was not a bad idea, innovative actually, but since it was rushed, the whole process was disturbed by hotel workers pitching a tent close to the presser.
“Why did they choose to hold the press conference here? I can hardly hear a thing,” bemoaned a colleague.
The mistakes made did not end with the press conference, but continued throughout the day.
While advertising and marketing was spot on, for the organisers, the time factor was disappointing.
“I did not quite enjoy the last part of the show due to the cold,” said Lorraine Masawi from Kuwadzana.
“The show was scheduled to start at 6pm and I was on time, but had to wait up to 11pm for the main act.”
Revellers were first entertained by disc jockeys, before Ninja Lipsy and her band failed to impress.
Someone complained they dampened the mood and threatened to derail the night.
Ninja Lipsy’s performance showed that she still needs to work more on her craft.
She was not the ideal candidate for such a high profile show.
On the other hand, revellers who paid the ‘ordinary’ ticket failed to enjoy the show because of the cold turf in the Glamis Arena.
As winter begins, it will be prudent for promoters to use indoor venues.
By the time Jah Prayzah came onto the stage in the wee hours of the morning, ‘freezing’ revellers were trooping out.
And the Glamis Arena VIP and VVIP sections are nothing of the sort as those that cough up more money are literally behind the stage.
People in the rest of the ground have a better view of the performers compared to those in the VIP section.
In spite of the mistakes, it was a good show, the organisers were not off-the-mark and did not short-change revellers.
The Jamaican reggae crooner, Martin, displayed his love for Zimbabweans and their language after ‘renaming’ himself ‘Christopher Tatenda Tinashe Martin’.
Enchanted by the beauty of local women, he quipped he will come back to pay lobola for one of them.
He had a palpable chemistry and connection with the country.
His remarkable performance after fellow Jamaican D Major’s immaculate 30-minute slot saw him perform for three hours, and not the typical one hour we had become accustomed to by international acts.
Martin joins the league of Jamaicans who include the late legendary and iconic Bob Marley, Capleton, Busy Signal, Turbulence and Konshens among others who have thrilled local revellers.