By Tawanda Mudzonga
Published June 7, 2013

chikwatainactionBook Cafe presents its first ever Rock Show on June 8, 2013 at 8.00PM; it features what is billed as the best rock music bands on the Harare music scene today. Music-lovers can expect to rock out to the music of mbira punk band Chikwata.263, metal and rock band Footloose and the premiere performance of Book Cafe Open Mic stars, Acid Tears.

This is the first show the Book Cafe is hosting solely dedicated to rock and metal music, with a dynamic line-up of the bands at the forefront of the genre all under one roof. Acid Tears will introduce a new sound to audiences. As one of the highlights of Book Cafe’s weekly Open Mic show on Monday night, Acid Tears bring a fresh new take to classic rock and roll. Essentially defined as a rock band, Acid Tears call their music style a type of Euro Sungura, mixing rock with the rhythms and signature guitar riffs of sungura music.

This will be followed by a performance by one of Harare’s favourite rock bands: Footloose. This more experienced band has made waves with its charismatic lead singer and stellar back-up band. Presenting mostly classic rock and metal favourites of yesteryear and present, this rock jukebox has a huge following. Fresh from their performance at Miombo Magic Festival, Footloose will take you on a trip down memory, rocking out to some of rock and metal’s legendary bands, including: Nirvana, Green Day, Blink 182 and Jimi Hendrix.

The third band in the line-up is mbira-punk outfit, Chikwata.263, Zimbabwe’s first and only mbira-punk band. A Book Cafe favourite, this band has proved itself time and time again, offering a fresh new creative sound that defies genres and always leaves you dancing. Featuring mbira player and ethnomusicologist, Hector Rufaro Mugani and charismatic lead singer Tomas Brickhill delivering catchy lyrics, the show will also feature bass player Ray Mupfumira fresh from a successful tour in New York City. The band opened for music superstars Sulumani Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah, Oliver Mtukudzi and Alick Macheso at their historic Glamis Arena concert. Chikwata.263 have a loyal following and brought the house down at l Miombo Magic Festival.

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The three live bands will be followed by performances by ZiFM DJs, Love Jones and Kimble Rogers. Popular radio DJ at events around the city, Kimble Rogers will play a pop-rock VJ set followed by Love Jones who has something special in store for the audience. Lastly, DJ Lutuli will close out the evening, playing tracks from Zimbabwean artists and bands in the diaspora. Featuring the music of bands such as The Noisettes, Tinashe, Mobile Jazz Café and The Kamikaze Test Pilots, DJ Lutuli promises a rocking finale to The Book Cafe Rock Show.