01/09/2026
𝐁𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓: 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐎’𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐄 𝟐
"A bigger stage, a deeper catalogue and another opportunity for Bulawayo to celebrate one of its own."
𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐎 — Something special is brewing in the City of Kings and Queens.
On 2 October 2026, Afro-pop musician Bhila, born Patriarch W. J. Manyabi, will return to the stage for Bhila Live in Concert: Volume 2, promising an intimate celebration of music, storytelling and the unmistakable sound that has made him one of Bulawayo's increasingly recognised contemporary voices.
The concert is set for the enclosed garden at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, with the artist's promotional material describing the venue as the Bulawayo Art Gallery. General tickets are currently listed at US$5, with VIP tickets at US$15, but this is more than another concert, for Bhila, Volume 2 represents a continuation of a journey that began professionally in 2023 and has gathered remarkable momentum. His breakthrough moment came in 2025, when he staged his first solo concert at the Bulawayo Theatre and sold out all 290 tickets.
Backed by a live band, Bhila delivered a performance built around songs such as Wamuhle, Emaweni and GP, proving that there is an audience willing to show up for local music when given the opportunity.
That success was followed by another major milestone when he won the Bulawayo Arts Award for Outstanding Alternative Music.
Since then, Bhila has continued pushing beyond the familiar. He has performed on bigger platforms, including appearances in South Africa, and opened for South African musician Phila Dlozi during the Ikhandlela Tour. According to Bhila, these experiences have helped him understand what it takes to carry an entire live show and, importantly, what audiences expect from him.
“People want to see the whole of Bhila Live”
The upcoming concert comes from a simple realisation, audiences have been asking for more.
Bhila says the response to his performances has repeatedly been the same people want an opportunity to experience his music as a complete live performance rather than simply hearing individual songs.
That is the thinking behind bringing back the one-man-show format.
“We’re simply giving people what they asked for.”
And this time, Bhila believes he is better prepared.
The first concert taught him that Bulawayo audiences are ready to support local artists. His subsequent performances have given him more experience, exposure and confidence.
The target is ambitious, A Thousand people.
If achieved, that number would represent more than attendance. It would be a powerful statement about the appetite for locally produced music and the ability of Bulawayo artists to build audiences around their own brands.
A soundtrack of Bulawayo life,
At the centre of Bhila's appeal is his storytelling.
His music draws from everyday experiences, love, culture and social issues while blending Afro-pop with traditional Zimbabwean influences and contemporary soul. His catalogue includes Wamuhle, Emaweni, GP, Lindela, CIMA, Jikela and songs from his debut album, Iphephandaba.
There is a deliberate familiarity to the music.
Bhila has described his sound as one designed to accommodate different generations, combining traditional elements with contemporary sounds. It is music that seeks to tell African stories without losing the modern audience.
UThixo Uyamangalisa, A new chapter
As anticipation builds towards the concert, Bhila has also released his latest single, UThixo Uyamangalisa.
The faith-inspired song explores gratitude, hope and recognising God's grace after the achievement of dreams once prayed for.
It is particularly fitting for an artist who has spent the past few years building his career step by step.
For Bhila, the song is personal. It reflects the life he is currently building while inviting others who are also pursuing their dreams to celebrate the journey with him.
An invitation to Bulawayo
Bhila Live in Concert: Volume 2 arrives at a time when conversations around supporting local artists are becoming increasingly important.
Every ticket bought is not simply an entrance fee. It is a vote for local creativity. It is a vote for Bulawayo's musicians, producers, live bands, venues and the wider creative economy.
And perhaps most importantly, it is an opportunity to witness an artist who is still writing his story.
On 2 October, Bhila will step onto the stage once again.
This time, however, he is not simply trying to prove that he belongs.
He is returning to show us how far he has come.
