daniel chigunwe
Maria Chiguvari
HIP-HOP artist Shone is set to become the first Zimbabwean musician to play before a combined audience of more than half-a-million people, spread over five shows, as a supporting act of British rock band Coldplay during their Music of the Spheres World Tour in India this month.
The mega shows, which are set to attract a combined audience of about 580 000, are set to get underway tomorrow at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Mumbai with, at least, 100 000 fans expected to attend the event.
Another show is set for the same stadium on Sunday with a similar crowd also set to attend.
While the D.Y. Patil Stadium has a capacity of 60 000 people, musical contests are different as fans can also spill onto the pitch.
Then, the party will move to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which has an official capacity of 132,000, and is the largest cricket stadium in the world, on January 25 and 26.
At least 140 000 fans are expected to attend each of the shows in Ahmedabad.
It’s a massive leap for Shone and means he will surpass the Bhundu Boys who, in 1987, played before 80 000 fans at Wembley as part of the supporting act of American superstar Madonna.
Coldplay are considered the best musical group in the world today and tickets for their shows in Mumbai sold out in just 30 minutes last year.
Shone was part of the Coldplay supporting act when the British group played in Abu Dhabi and on their tours of Australia and New Zealand.
In an interview with H-Metro, Shone’s manager, Magic Wacho, said the musician, together with his DJ Tatenda LXA, are having the time of their lives playing before audiences ranging from 40 000 to 80 000 in the tour so far.
“It is a tremendous honour to be included among the ranks of the world’s premier rock band. The experience of performing before audiences ranging from 40 000 to 80 000 is truly exhilarating.
“We are immensely grateful to Chris (Martin, the Coldplay frontman) and the Coldplay team for providing us with one of the most significant opportunities of our career.
“Their support has been instrumental in our development as artists and in reaching such expansive audiences,” he said.
Magic Wacho said their audiences are engaging deeply with every aspect of each performance.
“The attendance at our first performances was substantial, and initially, we experienced a degree of apprehension regarding the audience’s potential reception of our performance.
“Nonetheless, as the event progressed, it became increasingly clear that the audience engaged deeply with every aspect of our performance.
“Shone, in particular, captivated them with his vibrant and energetic Zimbabwean-inspired displays, showcasing a unique blend of rhythm and movement that truly stood out.
“His ability to connect with the audience has not only led to overwhelming enthusiasm but has also resulted in more tour opportunities being offered to him. It’s incredibly rewarding to see hard work and passion translate into such positive feedback and recognition.”
Shone recently released an EP titled Love & Trap, which consists of six tracks, which were produced by TatendaLXA, Onlymunashe and Mulanation.
He said everything was going well with the tour and they are happy with the feedback from fans.
“At present, we are not facing any significant challenges or obstacles during the tour, the operations are unfolding exceptionally well.
“The logistical organisation of the events has been executed flawlessly and we feel a heightened sense of esteem due to the hospitality extended to us.
“The audience’s reception in Abu Dhabi was remarkable, the atmosphere was charged with energy, indicative of their genuine enjoyment of the performance.
“The excitement and enthusiasm among attendees were evident, particularly in the videos shared online, which vividly captured their appreciation for both the show and the overall experience.
“In summary, this phase of the tour has proven to be a highly successful venture.”
