OVER the past years the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza was known as Alick Macheso’s home ground and the musician staged his big shows at the venue.
Report by Entertainment Reporter
Despite the fact that Macheso was staying in Chitungwiza at that time, the city has a huge fan base for the musician making the venue an ideal “home” for his shows.
However, the tide has turned and the sungura kingpin has not only abandoned the complex, but shifted to a new home at the extreme end of Harare. Pamuzinda Highway X-Scape along Harare-Bulawayo Road is now Macheso’s new home ground.
The musician still uses his offices at the Aquatic Complex for rehearsals and other band business, but rarely stages shows there.
Tonight Macheso stages one of his big shows at Pamuzinda Highway X-Scape.
His assistant manager Jatiel Machanja said it had become too expensive for the band and promoters to stage shows at the complex.
“The complex hiked its hiring fees and it no longer makes business sense to have shows there,” Machanja said.
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“We loved that venue so much, but we were left with no option but to move to a new venue for our big shows. However, we sometimes perform at the complex when certain promoters line up many musicians for a show to maximise their returns and beat the costs.
“At the moment our big shows, just like tomorrow (today)’s gig would be held at Pamuzinda.”
Macheso staged his farewell shows for his recent international shows at his new home. Machanja said it was sad they had to make a home ground away from their stronghold.
“Pamuzinda is far from Chitungwiza, but it is easily accessible to those that drive because they just go along Old Seke Road, then High Glen Road and Bulawayo Road. We still hold a number of small shows at some venues in Chitungiza to cater for fans that cannot access our big shows.”
Tawanda Chiraga of Pamuzinda Highway X-Scape said they were glad to host Macheso’s big shows.
“It is a great honour to host a musician of Macheso’s status for his prime shows. We have a strong relationship with Macheso that started many years back and we are happy he chose us for his big shows,” Chiraga said.
