Call for bands: Zimbabwe's National Imagine Festival

“This year it's bigger and better. Imagine Zimbabwe is here, come and register your band now, or simply share this poster,” reads a Music Crossroads Academy Zimbabwe Facebook post.

MCAZ's head of pedagogy, Emmanuel Mujuru briefed local media about the registration process. “Solos are not permitted because the goal is to support team building, so the band should have either five or six members,” he said. “The registration process is currently in progress, and there is no limit on the number of bands.

“Every genre is welcome. We don’t have specifications as to what type of music is expected. Just bring IDs of band members to our offices and get registered. The best will receive a prize in the form of air tickets to the finals in the Netherlands. Music Crossroads pays for all airfares, accommodation and local transport costs in Europe.”

Mujuru added: “We sometimes have guest artists gracing the occasion, but it depends on our ability to pay them. This time around, we are likely to have Jesa and other bands groomed by Music Crossroads, who are within our reach in as far as costs are concerned."

Previous bands that competed for the international prize include the Were band in 2013, Jesa (2016) and Dindingwe (2017). The winners will receive tickets to compete at the international final in the Netherlands in September next year.

The call is intended for Zimbabwean artists and interested band members are required to scan their ID/Passport and email mczimbabwe@music-crossroads.net. Physical copies can be submitted to Corner Selous and 6th Avenue in Harare.