Concert Review - Thabani Gapara - Hawke's Bay - 22nd May 2026
Presented by Little Stone in association with Creative Pwele
Review By: Rob HarbersArtist/Band: Thabani GaparaVenue/City: Toitoi Opera House, Hawke’s Bay, New ZealandDate of Event: Friday 22nd May 2026African by birth, Ngai Aotearoa ahau by choice, Thabani Gapara brought his Dzindza show to Hastings’ Toitoi Opera House, to the delight of the gathered throng. Dzindza refers to the celebration of ancestry, and in the company of a top-flight supporting cast, Thabani proceeded to do exactly that for two hours and change. A true celebration of both his physical and musical antecedents, this was a truly captivating performance, one to stir souls and feet.
From the darkened stage, the thunder of drums was followed by the insistent bass riff of Kwekutanga, which perfectly set the tone for what followed — a recital of some of the best of African funky jazzy beats, led always by Thabani’s expressive saxophone. Sax, drums and rock’n’roll? Not quite, but somewhere on the way, at least! Maybe somewhere a tiny bit more highbrow.
The guitar of Nathan James led Places and Faces, a call to get out into the world, to get amongst it, to go new places and meet new faces. A worthy cause in this increasingly dark and xenophobic era, as those who rule over us seek to divide us by what makes us different, rather than uniting us around what makes us the same. A slower pace for the following Ghoema Dreams, which powerfully evoked the advent of a new day under the shadow of Capetown’s Table Mountain.
In the Dzindza spirit followed African Mood, originally performed by one of Thabani’s many musical heroes, Moses Khumalo, and a surprise hit on student radio for the band’s version when it was released as a single. It was also the cue for a reminder that there’s space to dance, should the urge exist. A timely reminder, given the pulsing Afrobeat stylings of the next number, Times Change, a reflection inspired by the fact that times do just that, at an unnervingly high rate of late, or so it seems.
After such a workout for the band, Matunga eased the pace, for an ode to Thabani’s father — clearly a greatly adored man and, given that he set Thabani on the path to where he is now, obviously quite the dude! The title has tribal origins, being the emblem of his people — quite aptly, given his chosen path, the name given to a horned bovine, one prone to attack, i.e. a creature that attacks with horns. Kismet, or what?
Coming back after the intermission, My Journey set a storming pace, immediately getting things right back up to speed as if we’d never been away. Having reminded us of why we were there, we were eased into the slower pace of On The Beach. This was Thabani’s response to his first encounter with the ocean, at the surprisingly (to those of us who live in a country surrounded by the stuff) advanced age of 21 years old! It also featured a solo from the bass of Isaac Etimani, the rock-solid rhythm magician anchoring the whole shebang.
Family, which immediately followed on, gave the opportunity for percussionist extraordinaire James Hughes to show his skills on the somewhat unusual cuica, the ‘talking drum’ of Brazilian origin, which produces a sound all of its own. But one that interplayed perfectly with the sax in an amusing stand-off.
With almost everyone else having had their spotlight moments, Miles Boermans’ keys took their opportunity to shine on Woza Kim’, the ‘sound of the townships’ according to Thabani. But such was the charm of the night that before we knew it, it was time to end. But not before a rousing finish in the shape of the finale’s cover of I Want You Back, the cue for drummer Vion Slinger to show his skills. Perhaps a wee metaphor for an ideal life there — one that begins and ends on a loud note. Or maybe I’m just being unduly philosophical. Who knows?
In any case, that marked the end of a truly entertaining evening of African-tinged beats, one that covered a variety of subgenres. But whether it be Highlife, Zouk, Afrobeat, or whatever, there was one consistent thread — it fuckin’ bops! An experience worth having indeed, and one well worth checking out should it come near you. Inspiring and uplifting tunes, played by exceptionally talented players, all at the top of their game — what’s missing from that package? You, the audience! So correct that at your earliest opportunity. I’m quite sure your ears will appreciate it.
Setlist
Kwekutanga
Places and Faces
Ghoema Dreams
African Mood
Times Change
Matunga
Mysta Mukwambo
My Journey
On The Beach
Family
Music In The Air
Shamwari
Woza Kim’
Simone
I Want You Back
Thabani Gapara Tour PR 2026