Congolese music star Awilo Longomba arrives in Zimbabwe on Thursday, with Jamaican dancehall heavyweight Beenie Man expected on Friday, as preparations intensify for the fifth Kadoma Music Festival.
The international stars will headline the festival at The Odyssey in Kadoma on Saturday, October 10.
Members of Beenie Man’s band have already arrived in Zimbabwe as organisers complete technical and production preparations for the event.
“We are excited to have the international artists coming in,” one of the organisers said.
“Awilo arrives today, while Beenie Man is expected on Friday, and members of Beenie’s band are already here.
“Our focus now is on making sure that everything is ready on the technical and production side so that the artists can concentrate on giving the audience a great show.”
International stars join strong local line-up
Awilo is expected to bring his trademark Congolese soukous and rhumba sound, while Beenie Man arrives with a catalogue that has made him one of dancehall’s most enduring international stars.
The pair will share the stage with several leading Zimbabwean musicians, including Winky D, Alick Macheso, Feli Nandi, Selmor Mtukudzi, Suluman Chimbetu, Leonard Zhakata, Baba Harare, Chillmaster and Jnr Spragga.
Supporting performers include Kurai Makore, Hulengende and Tendai Dembo.
The diverse programme brings together Jamaican dancehall, Zimdancehall, sungura, rhumba, dendera and contemporary Zimbabwean music.
Organisers said the line-up was designed to appeal to music lovers from different generations.
“Awilo has a massive following across Africa, Beenie Man brings the dancehall audience, while our local artists bring the Zimbabwean flavour,” the organiser said.
“We believe that combination makes the festival special.”
Festival celebrates fifth edition
This year’s event marks the fifth edition of the Kadoma Music Festival, which has grown from a local entertainment event into one of Zimbabwe’s major annual music gatherings outside Harare.
Organisers said their original objective was to place Kadoma firmly on the country’s entertainment map.
“Five editions later, we are bringing artists of the calibre of Awilo Longomba and Beenie Man to the city,” an organiser said.
“That tells you how much the festival has grown. We want Kadoma to become a destination where people know they can come and experience big entertainment.”
Beenie Man previously performed in Zimbabwe in 2010 and 2017. During his 2017 visit, he shared the stage with Winky D and praised the Zimdancehall star’s performance.
The two musicians also collaborated on the song “My Woman”.
Kadoma businesses expect festival boost
The festival is expected to attract visitors from across Zimbabwe, providing increased business for Kadoma’s hotels, restaurants, transport operators, vendors and other service providers.
Organisers said the event had developed into more than a music concert and now contributed to tourism and economic activity in the city.
The Kadoma Music Festival begins at 1pm on Saturday and is expected to continue until early Sunday morning.
General admission tickets start at US$20, while VIP and VVIP packages are also available.
