Yamoto Band Lose Out On Mega Concert Over Communication Breakdown

As Sauti za Busara finalizes preparations for the four-day music festival, the much anticipated Yamoto Band will not be performing this year due to a communication breakdown between the group’s management and and Busara Promotions leadership.

Although Yamoto Band was announced earlier this year as part of the festival line up, Busara has canceled their agreement with the band after several failed attempts to reach the band’s management in a timely manner.

Yusuf Mahmoud, festival director, has been disappointed by the challenges of communication between emerging artists and managers, noting that a well-run festival takes months of diligent preparation and attention to detail to execute a smooth programme that runs as scheduled. The festival has always prided itself on setting high standards for professionalism within the music industry, offering guidance for those new to the field.

"There is so much music talent in Tanzania, but often these gifted artists are let down by a lack of promotional material and unprofessional managers who do not respond to email, refuse to sign contracts, fail to show up for meetings or answer phone calls,” Yusuf lamented last week in the Sunday News.

Journey Ramadhan, festival manager, made a concerted effort to ensure that Yamoto Band was featured in this year’s lineup to no avail. A scheduled meeting in Dar to confirm details was thwarted when the manager explained he was out of town and could not keep the appointment.

"To truly shine a light on Tanzania’s musical talents, we need managers to facilitate communication with respect to musicians so they can show off their talents and make Tanzania proud. It is absolutely essential that artists who participate in international festivals know how to communicate professionally through email,” said Journey.

Journey, who has been with Busara for nine years, has first-hand experience with the challenges of communication and lack of professionalism in the industry. “We must discuss the proper way to ensure artists get a chance to share their talents and overcome the major blocks we face in promoting music in Tanzania,“ Journey explained.

Yusuf has called on artists and their managers to use Sauti za Busara as source for professional growth, citing the ways in which the team provides support for marketing and promotion. The festival is more than just a festival, but also a platform to enhance the profession and set higher standards for communication between artists, managers and organizers who converge for the four-day musical extravaganza.