Review | L’wei Netshivhale – Live In Concert
It is not everyday that you find young and old impatient to see a star in concert. From the moment I arrived at the theatre’s foyer, one question was on everyone’s lips, “has he started?”. L’wei Netshivhale‘s show at the State Theatre was a celebration, a ritual, and a victory for indigenous music.
Most traditional sounding music aren’t playing arena concerts. I’d be willing to bet that most of them aren’t even attended by more than the 50 people. In the case of L’wei’s concert, it was initially planned for the 424-seater Barnyard Theatre, and later moved to the bigger and grandeur State Theatre through demand.
Flanked by a star-studded cast of alchemists – Gally Ngoveni – Bass, Peter Djamba – Drums, Tshepo Congwero Motswe – Percussions, diTebogo Kobedi – Piano, Mehlo Mkhize – Keyboards and Musical Director, Tenor – Rokunda Sinthumule Alto – Joy Baloyi, Soprano – Phumla Ndlovu – the two hour event, opened by award-winning VendaBoy Poet, was a gently guided musical experience for a merrily cheering audience that showed its appreciation at every opportunity.
L’wei sang songs like “Mudzimu Washu”, “Shh Nana”, “Vuwani” and picked from his previous two studio albums – Mudzimu Washu and Lwenzhe Lwa Shango – he also threw in Zwakale “(Ro Tambula)” from his forthcoming album Ḓivha Zwakale.
Muneyi, whose vocals stretched to their absolute limits, floated into the spiritual masterpiece ‘Musanda’, like it was made for him. Where the Tshikona group threatened and succeeded to transcend mysticism, time and space; Siyakha khitha
Through a technical proficient display searing intervention on “Africa Nndu Yashu” ensured that one’s spirit left the arena content.
Zwithu zwothe hezwi ndi mbudzi ya musanda
L’wei Netshivhale
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The best night indeed filled with raw and grounded traditional music that remind one’s yester years growing up in the dusty rural village. The music we use to sing as game while growing up has become a world art and a treasure to preserve. I am proud to be a venḓa because of such elements. Thank you for the memorable eventful night.