Harare lacks proper concert facilities

However, what he probably didn’t notice was that there are few venues in Harare, which are user friendly.
The capital city is seriously lacking in proper concert infrastructure such that a good number of venues used for concerts are in fact, not ideal for international concerts.
Be that as it may, local music promoters are left with no option but to use the few venues to hold concerts which in one way or the other, make it difficult for them to break even or   make a profit.

Last year, Zimbabwe hosted a number of international artistes but very few promoters made profits from the shows due to a number of logistical glitches and one of them being the choice of venues.
A few examples from last year’s live shows would illustrate how much Harare is desperately in need of a state-of-the art venue. At least there has to be one venue since the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe by law can only sanction one big show for a period not more than a month.
One show that quickly comes to mind is the Brick & Lace concert held at the Borrowdale Race Course in December 2010.

While the duo put up a mediocre performance, the venue was too small for the huge turnout.
The organisers could not stage the show at the Harare International Conference Centre because the venue is expensive to hire.
According to recent charges, one would need to fork out US$25 000 to be able to stage a concert at the HICC over and above the bars run by Rainbow Tourism Group.
The US$25 000 which is required to secure the venue is not small considering that HICC’s carrying capacity is 4 500.

The dilemma facing most promoters is how to arrive at the right entrance fee and attract a capacity crowd.
If promoters charge more money at the gate they might fail to break even since a less than expected crowd will turn up.
And if they charge less at the gates more people would attend but since the venue only takes up to 4 500 people chances are that they might still fail to breakeven or at least make a reasonable profit.

The other thing is HICC usually charges hotel fees and beer at the venue does not come cheap.
Usually they charge anything between US$3 and US$4, depending on the type of drink.
It then becomes difficult for any promoter to pay US$25 000 for the venue alone and yet there are also other expenses like accommodation, transport and food for performing artistes.

There is also a fee that is charged in the event that fans vandalise property. 
When Zimswag decided to host the Real Deal Concert featuring Akon and Sean Paul, they took the concert to the National Sports Stadium, a venue that was not secure enough for such a big show.
Some fans even got in without paying a cent.
It was not so at Glamis Stadium when Capleton staged his New Year’s Eve show.

Thanks to the tight security, all those who tried to sneak into the venue were caught by the alert security.
Although Red Rose were charging US$20 for the Glamis Stadium concert, the amount was too high for the intended crowd.
They could have simply maximised on the numbers since the venue is spacious and can accommodate several thousands of people.
Besides the HICC, Glamis Stadium and the National Sports Stadium, promoters may need to consider the 7 Arts Theatre, though it has got its own challenges.

How does a promoter expect fans from Chitungwiza to attend a show when the minimum charge is US$15 and he or she needs to catch two commuter omnibuses from Chitungwiza to town and then town to Avondale.
Suppose the show ends after midnight that means that they would need to catch a taxi which costs about US$15.
No matter how cheap the show is at 7 Arts Theatre there is no way a promoter can maximise on numbers because the venue only takes about 800 people.

The other option is the Celebration Centre, but it has its own challenges.
Firstly, the venue is out of town and secondly, there are certain rules and regulations such as the ban on beer and food in the auditorium.
In that case there is no way a promoter can make money when there is no beer and food stalls at the venue.

A cross section of local promoters agreed that Harare had no proper venues for musical concerts.
Richard Kohola, a music development expert, concurred that most venues in Harare were poorly structured for big concerts.
“Of course, I don’t know of any state-of-the art venue around Harare.
“A proper venue should have the right acoustics and it is sad that over the last 30 years since we got our independence there hasn’t been any investment in the arts.
“The question is who should invest in the arts. Is it the business or the Government?” he asked.
Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions, said the issue of venues remained thorny               since there were few available for big                     concerts.

“The few venues that are there like the HICC are unaffordable while places like the 7 Arts Theatre are meant for smaller shows because they only take up to 800 and worse still the venue is out of town,” he said.
Barbara Chikosi of Red Rose Entertainment called on property developers to ensure that there are venues for concerts like the Coca-Cola Dom in South Africa.
“There must be a venue like the Aquatic Complex where there will be other facilities like banking halls, shops and cafes for other things.
“The venues should be constructed in the city centre for easy access,” she said.-The Herald

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