Alick Macheso Takes a Break After Hectic Festive Season

After an intense and bustling festive season, sungura star Alick Macheso has announced the suspension of live shows until February 1, marking the beginning of his much-anticipated annual leave. Known for his high-energy performances, Macheso held a series of shows from December 20 to New Year’s Eve, delighting fans across Zimbabwe during the holiday period.

In an interview, Tichaona Makahamadze, the head of publicity for Orchestra Mberikwazvo and a long-time confidante of Macheso, confirmed the break, highlighting the need for rest after a packed schedule. “We are taking a break after a busy festive season, where we performed daily from December 20 to New Year’s Eve. Musicians work hard during this period because people need entertainment during the holidays,” Makahamadze said.

Typically, Macheso and his band hold an average of three shows per week, making January the perfect time to recharge for the upcoming year. “It’s important to take a break in January and recharge our batteries before we kick off the new season in February,” Makahamadze explained.

Despite the rest, morale remains high within the band. “As a group, we always check on each other, and we are glad to be going on holiday after a successful year. The life of an artist can be challenging, especially with the constant travel and time away from family,” he added. Makahamadze reassured fans that the band will return fully energized and ready to continue delivering electrifying performances.

“We will resume shows in the first week of February, and our fans can expect a fantastic comeback. During the break, we will hold rehearsals in the last week of January to ensure we’re in great shape for our return,” he said.

January can be a tough month for many musicians, with many members of the industry finding themselves idle due to lower demand. However, Makahamadze emphasized that this is not the case with Orchestra Mberikwazvo, where professionalism is a core principle. “We maintain a high level of professionalism, and that has kept us moving forward. We encourage our band members to be role models in their communities, as unprofessional behavior can damage our reputation.”

Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2025, Makahamadze outlined the band’s plans: “We promise more music, videos, and a series of shows across the country. Our goal is to keep our fans entertained and provide fresh content to promote our music beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.” The band is set to produce new music videos, a highly anticipated project for their loyal fan base.

Makahamadze also expressed the band’s deep gratitude towards their supporters. “We are incredibly thankful for the love and support our fans have shown us throughout 2024. They have been there for us through thick and thin, and it is because of them that we continue to thrive.”

Alick Macheso is a prominent figure in Zimbabwean music, known for his dedication to entertaining fans and his busy year-round schedule. Like other top musicians, including Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu, and Andy Muridzo, Macheso typically takes time off in January due to the slower pace of the entertainment industry during the post-festive period.

January is a particularly challenging month for musicians, as fans often have limited finances after the holiday season, and the back-to-school season further impacts the entertainment industry. As a result, many artists scale back on live performances, using the month to rest and plan for the year ahead.