When old meets new at Afro Jazz festival
Sharon Mathala | Tuesday March 7, 2023 06:00
GIMC is a week-long music extravaganza usually held at the beginning of the summer season in the city capital. This year the festivities are slated for August 26 to September 2.
Whilst the full order of the events is yet to be released, it is highly likely that the organisers will keep the same events from comedy, choral, poetry, jazz, champagne picnic ending with the music festival.
Yesterday, however, the turnout was not as impressive as the event is known for. Molapo Piazza, however, came alive right from the beginning of the show. The event, which is the brainchild of Thapelo 'Fish' Pabalinga of Leapfrog, began with a wine tasting session for the VIPs, whilst the performances kicked off around 7:30pm.
The stage was opened with sizzling performance from local duo, Khoisan of ‘Mpoledisa’ fame. The youthful duo managed to keep attendants who were now starting to pour in on their feet as they performed their songs. Perhaps it was their last performance, which really had the crowd chanting after them. Khoisan made way for DJ Sala who performed for a few minutes on the decks before the Natives rocked the stage.
Sereetsi and the Natives dished out an hour-long powerful performance, belting out his hit songs from his debut album 'Four Strings Confession' released in 2015, down to his latest offering called "I am Afrika". Sereetsi ,flanked by his energetic band and dancers, completed his set with one of his most popular songs, "Thaa Kokome." As Sereetsi and his band left the stage, South African rising star, Loyiso took to the stage.
The RnB star rose to stardom through the South African talent search show, Idols. Born Lloyiso Gijana, his debut EP 'Seasons' has taken the music scene by storm. With his second performance in Botswana, after delivering a sterling performance last year at a show called Jam'n' Soul , Llyoiso once again showed his lyrical talent hiring towering heights on his vocals.
The ‘Speak’ singer songwriter's story can be traced to his social media covers which gained traction during the COVID-19 era. Although he did not perform the crowd favourite, 'Intlizo' the 28-year-old belted out most of his popular songs to much appreciation of the crowd that had now flocked to the stage area. Lloyiso paved way for the man of the night, Butler. Butler, who performed in Botswana after his month long stay in Cape Town, was last in Botswana back in 2015, still at a GIMC event. Seven years later, the 61-year-old delivered yet another mind blowing set.
With his acoustic guitar by his side, Butler performed his songs from as far back as 1987. But perhaps the highlight of the day was when he asked Lloyiso to join him on stage. The pair, with Lloyiso seemingly more than happy to share the stage with the veteran, certainly enjoyed their time on the stage. The Afro Jazz event was certainly a success, kicking off the year in style.