05 Oct 2015

This year’s Spring Xplosion did not disappoint, despite being held on independence eve, as Gaborone city dwellers flocked the Fairgrounds for an enticing massive anticipated artist line up.  

City slickers made way in large numbers to the event on Tuesday night prior to Botswana’s 49 years of independence, which proved to be a night out of good music and mesmerising dance moves by artistes and their fans. 

Despite the fact that some people had temporarily migrated to their home villages to celebrate Botswana independence, the attendance was fairly good.

By 7pm, the space allocated for the enthusiasts was almost full and credit should go to the organisers for putting in place enough security within and outside the perimeters of the event hosts. All was left for the artistes to do what they do best, which is performing. 

Team Distant, a group of young musicians did their set. The youthful entertainers are always up for game when they step on stage.  

The Onikorota hit makers served the spectators with what is contemporary house music, playing live on stage as always. 

Though, towards the end of their set, there were some hiccups as the sound system cut off while they were performing. However the young lads’ performance is always of note. South African group, Black Motion set the stage on fire, not literally though, played live music. 

The group also come across like Botswana’s Team Distant just the way they perform; very creative with their music.

Though, not good dancers of note, the crowd emulated their style of dance when playing their latest offer Rainbow. Wearing an orange short sleeved suit and shorts, the self-styled, Dr Malinga was not to be outclassed. The high flying singer performed his latest single Papa Oteng, much to the delight of the crowd.

Papa Oteng is enjoying a lot of radio airplay around the country. Dr Malinga also enthralled the crowd with other hits like Via Orlando a song that shot him to stardom.

A feel of local traditional music, taking the crowd down memory lane, Machesa traditional group came all dressed up. 

The traditional troupe played their past hits Boela gae, to much appreciation from the city slickers dancing along with the ‘phathise’ kings, scenery very much welcoming and celebrating the 49 years of Botswana.  

A music festival or show without DJs doing their magic on the turntables would be incomplete. 

The night was set off the hook when DJ Kutchi brought his set on. The countdown to Botswana’s 49 years of self-governance was officially on. DJ Kutchi shared the stage with talented Ricky Lamar and the likes of Chrispin, the Drummer. 

Above everything, there are a number of things promoters and organisers should consider when hosting music festivals. 

Did the fans get their monies’ worth, is what the promoters should ask at the end of their events more so that only a handful of artistes play live music as most prefer CDs. Credit, however should go to groups such as Black Motion and Team Distant for performing their acts live. Ends