The Teatro was packed to capacity as thousands of soul music lovers gathered to celebrate 26th Metro FM’s birthday with a themed concert The African Masqaurade. The concert was hosted by the husky voiced Metro FM dj and businessman Dj Sbu who looked dashing in a navy trench coat and skinny pants. Kabomo was the first to take on the stage as he delivered a beautiful and soulful set. That man truly has soul. He brought the house down he called Nothende up on stage to perform their collaboration Colour Of You. Dressed in a white flattering and revealing dress Nothende showed once again why she is one of SA’s talented musicians. Kabomo closed off his set with his first single ‘Uzobuya’.
Then came djs Glen Lewis and Vigilante with a new school vs old school set, which saw the house divided with more loving the old school songs. I must say though, I felt the ten minutes they were given was long as I couldn’t wait for Zonke Dikana t0 perform. Sbu called on Zonke, singing her praise for a woman with a banging body in just a few months of giving birth to her son…..he’s humour got him as far as suggesting that he should get tips for his hips. I didn’t say it, he did. With a 20 piece band, three amazing backing vocalists, Zonke came in and had everybody eating on the palm of her hand, with songs from her previous album and latest offering Ina Ethe. She opened with a favourite of mine Nomanyange- a song dedicated to her late mother. I have always believed in her talent, but after watching her perform live, it was reinforced. She sang the second single Feelings and everyone went crazy, Jik’ izinto saw Somizi aka Somgaga join in to dance with Zonke. The audience, went demanded more and she did came back with even more beautiful songs. She looked stunning in greyish high waist pants, a white blouse and very high heels.
Unathi and her band emerged and gave a performance which featured the Drakensburg Boys Choir on three songs. The Metro FM breakfast show co-host and Idols Judge was really at home and owned the stage. She had two wardrobe changes, compliments of Asanda Madyibi. A very pleasant surprise was Umhlobo Wenene’s drive time dj K-ci who got on stage to sing Kwanolali with Unathi.
The evening drew to an end and people started leaving. Spotted in the audience were the four remaining Idols contestants, Khaya, Melissa, Monde and Tshidi, Khanyi Mbau, Tebogo Lerole and Theo Kgosinkwe. The concert was fantastic, I must commend the people who were at the concert they really took the dress code and mask theme seriously.
Congratulations to all the weekend getaway ticket winners, to their chosen hotels either in Cape Town or Durban. Well done to the event organizers, that was stellar show and it was very well put together.
Bonnie is an intern at Jucy Africa, she is into fashion, music and all things beautiful. On twitter she is @BonnieMes
