Lizibo, Selota to share stage at first Mascom Live Sessions

Spira Tlhankane | Thursday April 6, 2017 15:43

 

In an interview with Showbiz, the pint-sized songbird said his team has already started rehearsing for the show. He said even though it’s his maiden appearance at Mascom Live Sessions, he would not treat it any different from his other shows but will rather give it the respect it deserves.

“Selota is fortunate to come at a time when we have just released a new album. We want to give Batswana a taste of the whole album no wonder we are putting more energy into our rehearsals,” he said.

Lizibo also said he has increased his team to a six-piece band. The Shetla lame singer said he hopes Selota delivers his best because he (Lizibo) and his band will go all out on this one. “Noga ga latelwe mosimeng,” he said.

Selota has performed in Gaborone before and he will not be a new face to some of the crowd. Selota’s debut album Painted faces (2000) sold over 60,000 copies and earned him SAMAS for Best Contemporary Jazz album and best newcomer. He also achieved great status for his album called Enchanted gardens that achieved Gold status.

His other albums include Stories lived and told (2005), The azanian songbook (2006) and Lapeng laka (2009). He also helped to launch the careers of Judith Sephuma among others. Selota graduated from UCT in 1997 with a Jazz Degree, majoring in Jazz composition and arrangement.

For his part Oliver Groth of Mascom Live Sessions said the sole purpose of the event is to promote local artists and develop the music scene in Botswana. He said the reason why they pair the local artists with international ones is to encourage them to work even harder and as well as draw Botswana’s support for their own music.

Groth said the reason they brought Selota is because people were complaining about the same lineup of artists. “He has performed in Botswana before but it will be the first time he appears at the Mascom Live Sessions,” he highlighted.

He said people should buy tickets in time before they are sold out. “This will be the 36th Mascom Live Sessions and 12 out of 35 were sold out,” he said. Groth said they have to limit the number of tickets in order to create a comfortable atmosphere for revelers at Botswana Craft.

“Its not about making money but we have to deliver a product in a comfortable environment,” he said.