And the legend plays on

Dynamite. That is what he promised and he definitely offered that, and much more.

Upon his arrival on Wednesday, Oliver Mtukudzi had challenged his fans to put on their dancing shoes as his show would be dynamite.

At 62, this seemed an impossible task for the Zimbabwean mbira legend.

But on Friday night, the Zimbabwean powerhouse proved why he is worth the respect he commands across the globe by putting up a show that many will live to remember.

The night at the BICC started with Mafilika on stage. With Ernest Ikwanga on lead guitar and vocals, Sam Mkandawire on keyboard, Chambota Chirwa on bass and Amos Mlolowa on drums, the band thrilled with an all Chichewa playlist with eight songs on the menu.

While some patrons were moving up and down in the auditorium, others chatting and obviously not paying attention to what Mafilika was doing, the band was unfazed and put up their best performance. But not good enough to coerce some patrons that were having cold ones at the bars to get inside.

With songs such as Thanthwe, Woloka Africa, Yenda and Alinafe, the band paved the way for the man who the patrons had paid to see.

And from then on, the gap in the music standard was clearly evident. Everything moved from Malawi to Zimbabwe the moment Tuku with his Black Spirits Band appeared on stage at around 9:45pm.

Mtukudzi looked uneasy, as if unsure of himself or what was going on. With his acoustic guitar strapped across his shoulder, the iconic Zimbwean soon had things under control because as soon as the sound was on, the dancing, and the fun, had begun.

Akoromoka Awa was the first song of the night, proving a perfect start to the night. The next song, Hero, resonated with the crowd as Tuku questions the meaning of being a hero.

“What does it take to be a hero? Do you have to die to be a hero?”

And showing his charismatic side, Tuku took some time on the stage to connect with the crowd and talk about what music means to him and how it has united people.

“Where I come from, they don’t let you sing if you have nothing to say.

“Where I come from,” he explained as the crowd roared, “we use music to ease the tension.”

“So, let us defuse the tension,” he explained as he introduced his next number Hear Me Lord. He got the crowd off their feet and, while some sang along, others got busy with the business of the day—dancing. It was the same with Mutserendende.

The sound track to the hit film, Neria, was emotional for Tuku, who cautiously conveyed the heartfelt song about pain, cutting to the very heart of what it means to lose a loved one, yet still conveying a message of encouragement and comfort.

From then on the next set was more upbeat, and he held on the patrons with effortless ease. Todii, Manyemwe, Muchatuta and Tozeza also made the list of his 15 songs on the night.

The man superimposed the stage with his towering frame coupled with his regalia of the night, a white traditional outfit.

The music maestro turns 62 next month, but he showed no sign of slowing down. He danced through most of his songs, showing an impressive dexterity that belittles his age.

At times, he danced better than his two vocalists—Alice Muringayi and Fiona Gwena. Tuku danced as if it was a contest, one hand holding onto his beloved guitar as he swivelled around in 360 turns. He even joined the routine dance moves that the two vocalists were making, much to the delight of the patrons.

The show was a testament of Tuku’s musical prowess and universal appeal, drawing a diverse crowd which was treated to two hours of pure musical genius. For all these hours, Tuku performed while standing and never showed signs of fatigue.

But that still wasn’t enough for many who stood right at the edge of the stage, pregnant with expectation and hoping for a miracle to come from behind the blue velvet curtains that were neatly and fully closed, marking the end of the show. Bewildered with the unanimous action, the MC had no choice but to ask: “Do you want some more, “ and in unison the crowd immediately accorded him a thunderous “yes.”

And the slowly the curtains opened once again and Tuku was there and so were the talented vocalists, together with Sam Mataure on drums and Enock Piroro on bass guitar and vocals.

Those who had already made out of the hall and those who were moving out returned and made it a point that Ndima Ndapedza was indeed their signature hit.

Even after that one extra song, some people would still not move out of the auditorium when the show was finally over and instead opted to scream and ask for more especially the hit Bvuma.

But the night with a legend was over.n