No pay, no play – local artists

LOCAL artists will not perform at the Metro FM Heatwave concert at the AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley unless they receive payment before the event takes place this weekend.

The line-up that was advertised includes Kwesta, Babes Wodumo, Destruction Boyz, Khuli Chana, Shluda DA Guru, DJ Simbabi, Calypsoul Bash, Colin Carey and KG Smallz as well as several local artists.

The local artists stated yesterday that they were still waiting for full payment in advance, as requested in their quotations.

“None of us have been paid – we are being undermined. We cannot offer our services free of charge because we are professional artists and are serious about our craft.

“It is also not fair to expect us to run around for payment after the event. The concert will not be able to take place if the sound, lights and stage service providers have not been paid.”

The director of Lee Management and organiser of the event, Lerato Mothibi, said the concert would go ahead as planned on Saturday, from 10am until 11pm.

“About 65 percent of the tickets have been sold. Although tickets are limited, they are still available online at Computicket and will also be sold for cash at the entrance on Saturday.”

She added that there would be private security as well as police on duty to ensure the safety of concert goers.

“The stadium is safe to use and the pavilion where the roof was blown off has been fixed and will be barricaded. We finalised the last of the meetings while our disaster plan was approved and we are all set to go.”

She added that a 40-metre by 41-metre stage would be set up and ticket holders would be seated on the field.

“They can either make use of the 50 benches and umbrellas that will be set up or bring along their own camping chairs.”

Mothibi stated that all artists had been paid. “We will finalise the last few deposit payments on Tuesday (today).”