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Writes Lovemore Chazingwa
Odyssey Entertainment (OE) has worked its way into the hearts of music lovers and enthusiasts alike, with their latter-day hosting of massive gigs headlined by international acts.
Last weekend’s Kadoma Music Festival which featured what can be termed ‘The Big Five’ from both sides of the Limpopo added another stripe on their decorated jacket.
When you group together Winky D, DJ Tira, Jah Prayzah, Makhadzi and Alick Macheso, you are torching a musical explosion. Moreso, in a city as centrally positioned as Kadoma. The City of Gold is home to The Odyssey Lodge and Restaurant which only on Saturday 14, 2023, confirmed its place as a venue that has come of age in entertainment circles. It managed to plant nostalgia to all who came leaving them simply asking for more.
According to OE manager Prince, US$100 advance tickets were sold out by the eve of the blockbuster gig.
Venue owner and director, Tich Mharadze affectionately known as Ndochi has done his homework. He has upgraded the place to international standards, making it easy for him to attract offshore music promoters and managers, hence, their acts troop in.
Saturday’s show rides on previous mega gigs featuring South African duo Mafikizolo and Paris-based Antoine Agbepa Mumba, who goes by the alias Kofi Olomide coated by monikers, Double King and The G.O.A.T.
Mafikizolo has come to the venue on more than a single occasion. Their presence set a precedence for other international acts to ride onto the journey to The Odyssey in times to follow.
They also returned this year for that other memorable dance that left revellers drooling.
Another SA top act Blaq Diamond, alongside Nutty O, was at the venue on a winter night to savour July 29 this year. It is the Kofi show that dropped jaws as music enthusiasts had not imagined the power of the Odyssey to attract such a heavy brand onto the local stage.
It did.
April 15, 2023, witnessed the show of a lifetime, Double King boomed.
Makhadzi and Mafikizolo continue to return to their beloved turf. It was DJ Tira’s debut performance and is sure to return, judging by the reception he swam in on the night after the epic Friday the 13th.
Among the sea of fans at Saturday’s show were those who came from as far afield as Harare, ko Bulawayo, Mutare and Masvingo. It’s like the whole nation was stationed at one venue.
“We prepared for this show for a long back. We were looking forward to it. Travelling and accommodation logistics were well-catered for. It’s a show we could never miss,” said Charles Kaseke who travelled all the way from Masvingo with his three siblings. His sentiments resonated with all and sundry that graced the big five at Kadoma Music Fest. The Odyssey has surely reached crescendo levels.