HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO BRING AN INTERNATIONAL ACT

BY DELISA THWALA

MBABANE – Some event organizers have revealed how much it costs and takes to bring an international act into the country.

Without going into actual amounts, a number of interviewed event organizers in the country mentioned that bringing an international act to the country required a good rapport with other organizers.

The first to be interviewed was DJ and organizer Culolam Dlamini. He is well-known for bringing acts like Maphorisa, and Lamiez, in September 2022 he hosted Sun El Musician and Msaki at Malkerns Country club.

The seasoned organizer mentioned that most of the international acts he has brought were good friends of his.

“For me bringing an international act, I do it with someone I’m friends with, and then it becomes cheaper like E80 000 cheaper and that is just an estimate because it is not advisable to mention the amount,” he said.

He further said international acts are no different than local acts if you play your cards right as an organizer.

Meanwhile, Uncle Karly, professionally known as Khulekani Mamba, who owns and runs Platinum Concepts, without mentioning the prices said a lot went in when booking an international act.

 He said the prices vary with different acts, as there are certain elements that usually influence the price tag, for example if it is a live band and what their brand value is.

“It really depends on your reasons for hosting the show. If you are looking for numbers you intend to give patrons a memorable experience.

“For venue owners, the SA acts (who usually have higher brand value) will make more sense because they will possibly amass larger audiences, which influences sales at the bar but it comes with higher costs,” he said.

In addition to that, he mentioned that there are also people depending on gate takings, which is why it is safer to go local. The collections may be lower, but so are the costs.

“Contractual agreements usually determine the direction but the most common is for the one in breach to facilitate refunds of the funds committed to them,” he said when asked on what usually happens when an international artist booked does not show up.

One would know that Uncle Karly has always been an advocate for promoting and hiring local acts. Whether it’s personal or professional, there is so much to get right when you are planning a big event. And, when it is vital that everything goes to plan on the day, event organizers are worth their weight in gold.

Musician manager and renowned event organizer Melusi ‘Zox’ Dlamini said if someone played their cards right with international acts, they would not spend over E200 000 on an artist.

Worth noting is that this cost has covered flights, accommodation, and refreshments for the act before and after the show.

Dlamini further said hosting an international event was not as simple as just making a couple of bookings and ensuring the room looks pretty on the day.

“Things a good event organizer will do behind the scenes cover a huge spectrum and it is vital that the person in charge is open-minded, flexible, and focused on the job at hand.

“Whilst the basic elements of event organizing might be similar, every project is unique and has its own specific requirements. So for it to be the best it can be on the day, a good event organizer will explore every possible option to make it go well and adapt their working practices accordingly,” he said.

International acts that have graced the country have had their fair share of demands which include all sorts of things.

A recent South African act that had been in the country, last month Lamiez Holworthy had a number of demands.

One of the people closely working with her had revealed that among other things she had demanded or asked for included a makeup artist, an expensive bottle of champagne, and fresh flowers in her suite which was at Happy Valley hotel.

During her performance on her left side, she ensured that she had a bottle of water, a designated photographer and videographer.