One of Jamaican reggae stars Christopher Martin’s Zimbabwean Together-As-One Live Concert maiden show promoter Tichaona Mharadze of 2 Kings Entertainment was embroiled is a nasty fight with a bouncer following chaos at the VVIP entrance.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
In an incident witnessed by The Standard Style that went on for nearly 20 minutes on Friday night at Glamis Arena in the capital, Mharadze, popularly known as Ndochi in the showbiz circles, tried to get entry without identifying himself to the bouncer.
The fracas was joined by Mharadze’s friend only identified as Esau who had to jump the barricade, claiming his actions were in the interest of protecting their investments into the show.
As Mharadze and the bouncer continued pushing and shoving each other, they blocked some fans who had to wait patiently hanging on to their tickets to gain access into the VVIP enclosure as Winky D was already performing.
“You want to mess up things here, who are you? We have put a lot of money for this show to happen and you cannot just let people enter this side, this is VVIP and you want us to tolerate that nonsense,” shouted Esau.
“You are denying entry to someone who hired you to be here? Get off our way and no one is going to enter through this gate now.”
Sanity was later restored at the gate after the intervention of heavily-armed police.
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Meanwhile, despite the fact that Zimbabwe is experiencing serious cash shortages that have seen thousands of people failing to access their money, people turned out in their thousands across generations for the concert.
Judging from the turnout and how fans were spending on liquor, among other beverages and food stuffs, it seems they had well-planned and saved for the concert.
The few who felt the $15 ordinary, $20 VIP and $50 VVIP tickets was too much, waited patiently outside the venue until around 12 midnight when Martin went on stage hoping that the promoters would have a change of heart and reduce the ticket prices. That however, did not happen.
All the performers, knowing their duty was to entertain fans, did well to fulfil their tasks by putting up flawless performances despite some sound glitches at some point during their separate sets.
Martin backed by his live band did not disappoint his fans as they managed to keep up the tempo and the partying mood that was already set by The Ninja President Winky D and his Vigilance band who came on stage after Ninja Lipsy had warmed the stage for them. It was then left for Jah Prayzah to close the concert with another polished act.
In previous concerts, many foreign artists who would perform after Winky D would find it difficult to match his standards, but Martin proved he is not only a studio artist, but a performing artist.
Martin’s play list composed of both old and new tunes that saw many singing along and invoking a love mood as evidenced by many couples that were seen in each other’s arms.
He put up an excellent performance that was complemented by well-choreographed captivating dance routines that left the crowd clamouring for more.
During the intervals of the three and half hour energetic set, the Cheaters Prayer hit-maker saluted Zimbabwean citizens for a warm welcome when he touched down at Harare International Airport last Wednesday.
“I wanted to come to Zimbabwe for the past many years and today [Friday] I am happy I am here at Glamis Arena, Zimbabwe; you people are wonderful and loving people,” he said.
Martin left fans in stitches when he said he has a friend called Tinashe and was contemplating adding Shona names to his real name to become Christopher Tinashe Tatenda Martin.
He went on to salute all the artists whom he shared the stage with at the concert, describing them as talented musicians.
Martin travelled alongside D-Major, born Damian Godlin whom he is grooming at his stable, and he was also a marvel to watch, proving he was also a serious contender in the music industry.
While the concert organisers Red Rose Entertainment and partners must be commended for a job well-done in brining a star performer, they could have done better for the VIP and VVIP enclosures that hosted the high-paying fans as the stage set-up was not well-positioned.
Those who opted for the VIP and VVIP enclosures were left crying foul as they struggled to catch a clear glimpse of the performing artistes on stage who only showed their back, a situation that forced many of them to resort to the grounds for a better view.
