Over 4 000 people made their way to the venue for the gig, Tuku’s last show before he goes on tour which will see him performing with another Zimbabwean great, Alick Macheso in the United Kingdom.
Roki wasn’t even on the original line-up for the show, because when it was mooted by Josh Hozheri and the Jazz 105 team, he was still in the Big Brother Africa house in South Africa. Come his disqualification just over a week ago and his subsequent return home the promoters saw an opportunity to add an exciting twist to the concert and signed him on to perform.
It was full house at the HICC.
His set was the shortest of the evening, lasting just about 30 minutes, but it was the most fanatically received. Deafening cheers welcomed him onto the stage. He was accompanied by his dancers- including current ‘wife’ Melody Musekiwa, and backing vocalists, Dj Iscord and ex-wife Pauline Gundidza. Both Melody and Pauline put up sterling performances in their various departments.
How Roki managed to have the two of them to rehearse and perform together without jeopardising the performance is a wonder.
The energetic set whose highlight was the popular Chidzoka had the HICC dancing away like nothing else mattered. It was over too quickly and Roki bid farwell with a few lines from his song Aiyahoo.
The concert had been opened earlier by Diana Samkange, followed by Jah Pryzier. Then came Roki. After him was an even shorter set by Ba Shupi.
Tuku delivered his usual magic.
Tuku was on next at about midnight and then Sulu wrapped things up.
It was a busy weekend for Tuku who also performed on Friday evening at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare at a show featuring the Charambas and several other artists.
Meanwhile, a previously advertised gig for Roki, organised by the Zimbabwe Youth Council, did not take place. It is not clear yet if it has been postponed to a later date.
