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Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Reporter
Last week perhaps set the tone for a promising festive season in Bulawayo as party lovers gathered for South Africa’s Major League DJz show.

It was the biggest and most anticipated show in Zimbabwe as it was supposed to be held over two legs, the first in Harare followed by Bulawayo at the popular Smokehouse on Sunday.

However, during the Harare leg, the Major League twins, Bandile and Banele Mbere did not perform due to an oversight of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions by the organisers. Fortunately, Bulawayo patrons on Sunday got to see the DJs live and were part of the Balcony Mix experience that has taken Africa, United Kingdom and America by storm.

Perhaps it was befitting that their first performance in Zimbabwe was in Bulawayo, the nation’s cultural hub. It could be a plus for the world to see how Zimbabweans party and enjoy themselves through the eyes of the Balcony Mixes if they release the footage.

It was not only the Major League DJz that people had come to watch as Asaph and Ganyaz Jnr received love from the revellers. Covid-19 has made some people appreciate their local acts as it was great to see the artistes having people sing along. There was no one who was impatient, wanting them to leave the stage, booing them or hurling insults.

Those who were not interested in what was going on, on stage merely started conversations with their cliques, while others sang and danced to the performances.

This event showed Bulawayo DJs Ryan Synth and Nospa were up for the challenge and people appreciated them as they did not leave the show and stayed behind long after Major League DJz had left the stage and venue.

Last week was a series of firsts as Major League DJz performed for the first time in Zimbabwe and also, it was the first major show at The Smokehouse after the lockdown.

It was also the first time that DJ Ryan Synth took to the decks at a venue where he stamped his name, before parting ways with it, due to business differences. He did not play his house and Amapiano mixes, but flexed his DJ repertoire and branched into hip hop music and still kept the crowd rocking. He gave them a taste of what they were missing from The Smokehouse after he parted with them.

Another first happened as the twins, Banele and Bandile were at The Smokehouse by 5.30PM as they had promised the city that they would be on stage by 7PM.

Previously, artistes would be cooped up in their hotel rooms, before entering the stage at midnight, when the crowd would be becoming rowdy, drunk on various beverages and narcotics. And the show ended at around 10PM, something that was unheard off in the past.

This is the time when the party is heating up and revellers are getting into the mood of things, in anticipation of the main act. This seems to be the new way of doing things in the new era. Shows are being held before curfew comes into place at 10PM and bars are operating within the limits.

On Sunday it worked as the show started just after sunset and ended at a decent time to get home. It is a workable arrangement which was out of the question in years gone by. In the past, promoters would have said a show of that magnitude would not work at that time. But Covid-19 showed it can happen and hopefully more shows like that will be held.

Another thing on Sunday, was the expectancy that people had over the show which was an indicator of how hungry people are for such entertainment. It seems that their diet will be filled this coming festive season as there are many shows with both local and regional artistes expected to grace Bulawayo.

Names such as DBN Gogo, Boohle, Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) and Black Diamond are rumoured to be making their way to Bulawayo this festive season.

The Major League DJz show certainly gave a glimpse as to how hungry people are for such an atmosphere during the festive season after two years of being locked up at home due to Covid-19.

Bulawayo is a different type of fun, wild at times, but most times, words cannot explain and the only thing to do is to come down and experience the party scene. – Follow on Twitter @bonganinkunzi