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Nkosilathi Sibanda Urban Beats
IN the entertainment industry, fans are king as they are the paymasters. Locally, it rings true that entertainers at times forget the people who matter the most.One can be talented, but it takes more than this to be successful. From over the fence observation, artistes do not recognise the importance of people they sell their products to.

It comes as no surprise that some shows fail to attract crowds. In contrast, foreign stars have fans filling up venues leaving no space to dance.

Even if cover charges are slashed, people generally do not like attending concerts organised by local artistes, especially if there is no foreign act.

Quite a few musical shows such as Intwasa Arts Festival and Jeys Marabini’s Bulawayo Comes Alive have lured crowds. The reason we mention these few concerts is to help other organisers take a leaf from such success stories.

Following poor support, the old story could resurface as the year ends. Fans bring in the buck. No matter how rich the show promoter is, they still look up to a profit from ticket sales.

Promoters’ head of argument is the apathy that has hit the city. People do not support productions done by local artistes. Check your neighbour’s music playlist; there is no song by any musician from this city.

So many musicians, some genuine and others trying to make a mark, have moved out of the City of Kings. Interestingly, promoters are still making money in this city,  that is when they bring in a musician from out of Bulawayo. In the glorification of visits by artistes from other cities, we cannot help but complain of the effect of their ‘invasion’.

There is nothing worse than to expose a musician to fans that do not like him or her. Once disappointed, the fan does not come back. Get that Bulawayo musos.

Bulawayo artistes have not done themselves any favours. They deal with promoters behind closed doors, agreeing to less than their value.

They take part in shows they know will not attract crowds. Fans look at such issues. ‘What’s there for me besides dancing to live music?’

Promoters, in most instances, are experienced negotiators that are unwilling to part with their money to pay people whom they consider  novices. It would be better for young artistes to negotiate collectively  to avoid being exploited by promoters.

Artistes should also solicit help from the experienced ones in the industry. One has to be aware they are not the first to be a musician. It is a road that all who have achieved success have travelled and listening to the advice of those that have made it in their careers would help them deal with event organisers better.

The perpetuated illusion of performing for exposure must be stopped in its tracks. One way of doing this would be to make sure that musicians get closer to the people. The fans are the key to a better industry that pays. It is time for Bulawayo music lovers to stand their ground.

Maybe there is no music worth listening to. What am sure of is there are musicians from Bulawayo who come from communities that appreciate music. Sadly, these musicians and their fans do not understand each other.

Ridicule, disrespect and all negative tags hang over every musician from the City of Kings. How worthy are these artistes? That’s the weekend question.

Have a say on twitter @nkosi legend. WhatsApp 0773 481 603.