Night out with Dumza Maswana.

 

Yesterday, 13 June 2014, I attended the Youth unplugged concert at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfonitein along many other kings and queens of the Jozi night scene. Just incase you’re thinking  it was  one of those youth collabo concerts, where the young perform poetry, do skits,  dance and attempt to sing, well it was not. The night was of intimate song offerings from a rising musician, Dumisani Maswana aka ‘Dumza’.  As usual I arrived at the venue a bit early before time (this always allows me to see whose coming with whom and do a bit of socialising here and there). Unexpectedly just as I was doing my own venue assessment (checking if the loo is clean or whether the emergency exit points were operational incase one had to use them), I bumped into a couple of familiar faces and TD Jokes happened to me one of them. I immediately knew that I would be unruly for the night as we set next to each other throughout the concert.  In no time, the venue was open, very small and intimate but fit for the occasion. Everybody made way, got seated and the music had to begin.

To set the tone for the evening was Mpho Ludidi, a guitarist who also backs as a tenor vocalist in the band. When he took to stage, I had doubts of my own as in this short lifetime I have come across very few singers who can play and deliver vocally with great effort at the same time. But this talent proved me wrong as he delivered a with a clear calm voice and sincere emotion singing ‘Lelolanga’. I found myself humming the melody and snapping fingers as he souled the audience along. The rest of the band joined and the backing vocalists- Tumelo Moloi (soprano) and Kgomotso (alto) also took position. It was my first time hearing them live and I can confidently say that Dumza is well backed with those three behind him. So they stole my heart as they paced along the band with an item that first sounded like the national anthem, not that I was opposed to the idea of starting with Nkosi Sikelel’I Africa, but they later on switched to Sombawo, the first official item for the night. The mood for the evening was set and the main man for the night took to stage as the lovely audience cheered for him on.

 

The talented Maswana in a grey suit salved from Sombawo to “So hard”, it was my first time hearing this song but I can tell you that I was on my feet singing along as there was a favourite line that went “I have worked so hard to get where I am with god by my side…” (something like that) but in its rationale the song resonated in me and the current situation in ways more than one.  Following that was ‘Changed Man’; I loved what he did in his line up as he introduced new songs and backed them with old ones from his debut album. This track has always been one of my favourites from his album. This time around the delivery was done with a bit of a twist as he gave the floor a taste of what the voices behind him could do. In their incredible outdo, they showed us flames. Kgomotso, has a lovely voice but beyond that I was impressed with her range, she went higher and higher. Next was Tumelo Moloi, she is not just a Ntokozo Mbambo look alike, the lady gave the word “SANG” as Americans would say, a proper definition for the night. Those ladies sang the daisy lights out in songville. Following that was ‘I Choose To Believe’, another new song that spoke to me too. I must say Dumza has grown as an artist over the years; he has found his signature sound and putting it into good use.  Another song I loved was ‘Njenge Fish’, I don’t know why but I love it Hahahaha. Perhaps it’s the love effect in it.

When I thought I was ready to seat down or take a break, Dumza introduced Keke Mabusela on stage. THAT WAS ILLEGAL DUMZA!!! NO!  I couldn’t handle so much talent in one night. It was just beyond my capacity. Way beyond what I could handle in one night. I’m not quite sure whether to call that singing but let me say Keke made beautiful sounds and melodies as he rendered ‘Sound Check’, a song he sings on Muffins. I don’t want to say much as I could end up with morethan three paragraphs attempting to describe this guy’s performance. He did it. After that performance, we deserved a 15-minute break which we took and refreshed for the second set.

After the break, Dumza took to stage and this time he seemed more free and comfortable. He danced more and interacted some more. With ‘The way’ being the first performance for this set, I must mention that a few honourable members in the audience seemed and sounded a bit ‘flafar’ (tipsy) than before. Im starting to think there was a gallon of home brewed beer somewhere at the back. Nonetheless, they made a great audience.  ‘The way’ and ‘Andikho’ followed before he did a tribute to the late Victor Ntoni. I must share that I also heard one of the ladies behind us saying “Oooh! I know Pastor Victor Ntoni”.

In his delivery of ‘Sethu’ by the late Ntoni, Dumza really seemed to be in space with this one as his emotions started to tap along. Yes, he got emotional and that is when some audience members began an offering service by putting money on stage. I felt that was a very noble gesture, a humbling sign of UBUNTU. Accompanied the tribute was ‘ Thetha’ also the late Ntoni.  Such emotional and soulful offerings.  A few other items fell on set before he closed the show with Nguye. But before that he took us back with ‘Molo’, a lovely song although there was a bit of an awkward moment when asked us to hold the person next to us, look at them and say molo… nothing wrong. Just awkward. The evening closed with Nguye, the main man took a bow and left the stage.

This was an illustrious evening. The songs were awesome and the audience was super. After what I saw last night, I have no doubt that Dumza is much closer than he thinks to becoming Mr Hottip in his genre.

The End!!!