Unplugged March 2026 Review: A glorious comeback, and an evolving event that is here to stay

TAWANDA CHARI & TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA

There’s nothing quite like giving energy and getting it back tenfold. And that’s exactly what Unplugged Zimbabwe delivered on the 28th of March, 2026. It remains one of the best live music environments you can immerse yourself in. For an event that had seemingly been thrust into oblivion, its comeback is glorious and with the March edition it became clear that it is here to become a permanent fixture in the country's events scene. And the people? Just as lovely as they looked; immaculate vibes all around. Despite a few minor sound issues, the fun never dipped.

Ami Faku's resplendance shining as she was performing at the Unplugged March 2026 edition. [Image: Magaso One] 

The staff, too, deserve a special mention. They were impressively hospitable. Helping carry chairs (a thoughtful touch for the backs and knees of the millennial crowd), guiding people to their spots, and overall making sure everyone felt genuinely looked after. It was a wholesome experience worth reliving. Perhaps the most lovely aspect of Unplugged is how it is evolving. While it is still focused on retaining those who had fallen in love with it years back, it is making some laudable strides in courting new sections of celebrants. And that is what any event could hope for. 

The December edition marked the beginning of a much-needed comeback, but the March edition cemented Unplugged's status as the place to be. The music was splendid, the food magnificent, and the overall atmosphere being nothing short of epic -- a family-friendly vibe that allows everyone to have the time of their lives. The unique selling point of Unplugged definitely has to be how it blends up and coming artists, rising artists, and the well-established acts, with the international act being the icing on the cake. A point which we now dissect below in elaborate detail. 

MC Tatts, Shaku Chante and MadeHerBelieve

Though her set was cut short, Shaku Chante was the very first DJ who opened the day, and did well in drawing people closer to the stage, braving the midday heat. MC Tatts was a maestro in handling the overall proceedings of the day, with a touch of perfection onlyb a few can master. MadeHerBelieve's set was a remarkable exhibition of a thorough understanding of the audience he was playing for. It was a set that heavily leaned towards nostalgia, and he did the job well in that regard. 

Takunda - The next big superstar 

Having Takunda on that stage was a masterstroke. He rose to the occasion, delivering an impeccable set that sounded more of a big statement of intent. There’s something about hearing him with a live band that unlocks a richer, fuller version of his artistry. Everything landed deeper, felt more intentional.

And we've got some believers. Go Kuri! [Image: Tawanda Chari/ZimSphere]

“The next big superstar” tag in this regard comes with a fair amount of accuracy. 

And that “Pano” moment? Special. It had him fully in serenade mode, singing directly to the ladies. Slightly dangerous territory if you’re standing next to your person but we’ll leave that for another day. 

It’s one thing to make a great record. It’s another thing entirely to elevate it live. Takunda did that on every single song. That is how brilliant he was, especially for an upcoming artist who was the opening act on the day. We are fully convinced that only the sky is the limit for him if he continues with this trajectory. 

Voltz JT 

The Jecha Trap star came composed, but with an energy that could not be matched. In harmonious sync with the audience, Voltz proved that he understands stage presence more than one can imagine. He exuded such an affable aura and it was just amazing seeing him do his thing on stage. 

Voltz JT [Image: ZimHub]

And what became a good talking point regarding his performance: he had the crowd jumping at 4PM. Either hip-hop is the biggest genre in the country or Voltz is an undeniable performer or both. We vote both. What a rave that set was. And oh, he brought with him his brother Tha Bees for the song Mweya. That was an awesome thing to do.  

Atenda Chinx

Watching every guy in the crowd sing along to “Makoti” with zero hesitation was heartwarming.

Atenda Chinx continues to make a strong case as one of the best young artists in the country, and this performance only reinforced it. Smooth, confident, and genuinely engaging -- but it would be remiss of us not to mention that there is still room for improvement. We were impressed nonetheless.

Atenda Chinx is a gem. Let that be known. [Image: Tawanda Chari/ZimSphere]

All she asked for in return? A tall guy from the crowd. And somehow… we all fumbled that one. Tall people are in scarce supply, apparently. 

Tocky Vibes - The surprise act

Oh, he was certainly a surprise in every sense of the word. No leaks, no hints, just Tocky Vibes stepping onto that stage and completely taking over the night. And make no mistake, he won Unplugged.

After his album launch struggles last year, this felt like a vindication through a polished performance that had people on their feet and throwing their hands in the air. The type of a performance that reminded everyone exactly who he is: a stalwart in the game. A veteran who possesses a comprehensive command of his craft. 

Tocky Vibes with a confident swagger on stage. [Image: Tawanda Chari/ZimSphere]

From the moment he got on stage, the energy palpably shifted. He didn’t ease into it. Running through fan favourites like a man with something to prove, feeding off the crowd and giving it right back. Every chorus louder, every reaction bigger.

By the time he wrapped up, there was no debate left. Nobody saw him coming but by the end, it was undeniable: Tocky Vibes is him.

Mugaratia - Dope, but be serious please

We immensely love Mugaratia—so this one stings a little. He was supposed to perform in the afternoon, but for reasons best known to him (kwako kuri kuda kuperformer manheru here nhai), he decided not to perform during his slated time. And so when he finally came in the evening, there wasn't much room for him to make a lasting impression worth writing home about. 

The cameo was nonetheless lustrous. And the reception was electric. But ultimately, he was our biggest “what could have been” of the night. Two songs just weren’t enough. You don't come and perform two songs sha. Not for an artist of his calibre, and definitely not for a crowd that clearly wanted more. That was such a huge letdown and it will take us some time to forgive him. 

Don't do that next time, Mugaratia. [Image: Tawanda Chari/ZimSphere]

“Sunday” was a bright moment though. Everyone was singing word for word, especially that “Nekuti ndiri gangsta musalad” line. You could feel how deep that record has travelled.

There was also the merch situation. A lot of people came through expecting it, asking for it, even making calls to confirm and it just wasn’t there. That one missed. Still, we’ll chalk it up as a one-off. The love for him hasn’t gone anywhere yet. But please, improve next time, Mugaratia. That wasn't cool at all.

Kae Chaps 

The heartbreak king, they say. There was nothing you could take away from his set. He understood the assignment and lived up to expectations. When his breakthrough hit "Juzi" came on, we were all reminded of why we fell in love with his music in the first place. 

Kae Chaps [Image: Life Photography With Anesu]

Nutty O 

Witnessing Nutty O performing is an experience you want to continuously relive. Belting hit after hit from his illustrious career, he furnished us a memorable time. He was compelling, authoritative in his delivery, yet very amiable. That is what made his performance such a top-notch display of mastery. 

Let's expect an album from Ability Extension [Image: Tawanda Chari/ZimSphere]

The most important part of his performance worth mentioning is that he announced he will be dropping a new album this year. And we can't hide our excitement already. 

Ami Faku - The crowning moent 

And then came the South African songstress. Her presence on the stage was marked by an enviable flair of unflappability, conveying a set that was just as lovely as her mellifluous voice is. Her set was beset by sound problems beyond her control, but that did not hinder her from performing to the best of her abilities. 

Ami Faku [Image: Life Photography With Anesu]

If anything, she, in tremendous unison with the band, soared above the technical challenges, traversing beautifully through her rich discography which includes the hits Asibe Happy, Abalele, and Fatela. This was also helped by the generous reception she got from the crowd. It truly kept everything smoothly flowing.

We thoroughly loved Ami Faku. Everything about her was graceful and you had no option but to fall in love with her throughout the entire hour she performed. 

Reverb 7 

The celebrated DJ and producer gave the closing DJ set to what was a wonderful event. He maintained the overall tempo of the day, concluding with a brilliant set adorned with popular hits, both locally and internationally. He is proficient in the language called music. 

The crowd and facilities

One recurring note from some of the attendees, particularly women, was around the mobile bathrooms. While cleanliness and availability were praised (which is a big win for events of this scale), the mobile bathrooms were not that convenient (some concerns about their small size, which presented difficulties for some women upon sitting down in the toilets). Definitely something worth refining going forward if it's even possible. If possible. 

On the overall, what Unplugged communicated to all and sundry is that it is here to stay. It is an enduring part of concert culture in Zimbabwe, and from here they can only fly higher.