Shoko Festival set makes lockdown seem sweet!

The vibe at Shoko Festival is always correct and we were so looking forward to the 2020 edition but coronavirus had other plans.

Upon hearing that this year’s fiesta dubbed the Phoenix Edition would be held virtually we thought oh well it’s going to be like the other online gigs we have experienced in the past six months.

However, it has not been the case.

The brains behind the festival have shown a high level of creativity in their approach.

The talks, musical acts and poetry slams have been amazing.

Each of the events that have been staged since the festival started on Monday has shown that some people sat down and took time to think and curate some dope ideas for our viewing pleasure.

Ma optics have been mnandi!

Out of all the exciting elements about this virtual Shoko Festival one thing stands out and that is the set design.

Besides being thrilled by the fresh new talent one enjoys the festival more because of the  set design.

Yesterday’s Peace in The Hood concert was fire because of the set just as much as all the artists came out hungry and giving us value for our data.

Kudos to Outspoken who is the festival’s production manager for working so hard with his team to make sure we get to see and experience things at a whole different level.

Who would have thought that a car dump yard would be the most ideal location to host a concert?

Nobody had pictured hit maker, Jah Master calling God from his phone in a rusting bus shell.

It could have only be the brains of people who have taken time to research on what other creatives in the work are doing to make their work standout. People who expose themselves to different opinions and people who are team player’s.

Shoko Festival has shown us that virtual gigs cannot be curated in the same manner as our traditional gigs here in Zimbabwe where organisers think its all bout putting one big dull stage and beaming logos of sponsors on the LED screens.

The Peace in The Hood set design is now a challenge to all those who will host virtual gigs in the days to come and even for promoters when things finally open up.

We were tired of monotonous set designs which are made more insipid by predictable performances from the musicians.

This gig itself was just epic. If someone was to give an award for event of the year then Peace in The Hood would be a nominee only unless if someone else embraces such thinking and builds from where they have left – which is in the best interests of the creative sector.

With Day 4 done and dusted all attention now turns to Day 5 where the major event is one of the things Shoko is know for and that is comedy.

At 7 The Bang Bang Comedy Game show will roar to life hosted by Magi from BustopTV.

The show also features NAMA award-winning act, Doc Vikela, the inimitable Tinaye, USA based Alfred Kainga, Mukukuzvi man, Ray Vibes and the soaring King Kandoro among many others.