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Gonora Sounds
July 19, 2024 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
£17.50
Gonora Sounds is a family band that has been busking on the streets of Zimbabwe since 2004, entertaining thousands of commuters with their street beat – dubbed ‘Gonora Sounds’ by regular revellers. The band is led by blind singer/songwriter Daniel Gonora, a master on the guitar and previous member of Zimbabwe’s largest touring group, Jairos Jiri Band. Daniel now plays with with his protege, teenage son Isaac Gonora on drums. In recent years, the band has extended to include seasoned musicians Nelson “Mr Longman” Mutanda on lead guitar and Malizani Mbewe on bass for a full band set up.
Without a doubt they’re one of the most exciting bands ever to come to this wonderful venue.
‘There’s not a second here when your heart won’t be thumping with the ridiculous joyfulness of it all’ – MOJO Magazine
Gonora Sounds, under different band names, have managed to record several street-distributed EPs including Shoko Harivikwe. Daniel and Isaac’s street performances have garnered over 10 million views on the internet with international audiences following them on social media.
The father and son duo feature in multi-award-winning documentary ‘You Can’t Hide From The Truth’ , and have collaborated with American Jazz Legend Pharoah Sanders as well as several international musicians on the Fernando Arno-produced “What Love”. British duo The Busy Twist have recently remixed the band’s song Rwendo Rweupenyu into the ‘Journey of Life Remix”
Gonora Sounds debut full length album Hard Times Never Kill, produced by Zimbabwean music luminary Bothwell Nyamondera and American Producer David Aglow, was released in February 2022 on New York record label The Vital Records. Reviews have been outstanding!
NEW YORK TIMES: “Hard Times Never Kill,” backed by some of Zimbabwe’s top musicians, [is a style] called sungura, which meshes Zimbabwe’s own traditions — guitar picking that echoes the plinking patterns of thumb pianos — with styles from across Africa. [The track] “Kusaziva Kufa” taunts anyone who doubted that his music would survive; between drums, vocals and guitars, it’s a syncopated marvel that shifts to an even higher gear halfway through.”
THE QUIETUS: “Sungura has this ability to bring the summer, no matter when you hear it. The shimmering electric guitars, bounding bass, tight harmonies and the gruff but passionate voice of Daniel Gonora all give this album a light, carefree, and joyous feel. It’s perfect for evoking a beating sun and the fragrance of baking grass, and as the style is based around circular chord sequences, it all feels as if it could spiral on and on into infinity.”
SONGLINES: 4-stars, “[An] Extraordinary album.” Read full article from the April 2022 issue HERE.
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm start
Licensed Bar helps support WemsFest
If you require special assistance or have mobility difficulties, please contact us in advance and we will do our very best to accommodate you so that you are comfortable.
The Barleycorn Tavern, which is a stone’s throw from the Village Hall, are very kindly offering ticket holders 2 for 1 meals before the concert. You’ll need to call them and book at least 3 days before the event, and will need to show either your ticket or your WeGotTickets.com email.