Harare — Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Tongai Moyo and Suluman Chimbetu are some of the crowd favourites but are these superstars able to deliver something out of the ordinary?

For a musician as big as Mtukudzi it has been a while since we last heard some of his yester-year classics such as Tindike, Vhunze Moto, Chengetai Mai naBaba, Ngoromera and Wagona to mention just a few.

While it is difficult to leave out Tozeza on his playlist, Mtukudzi should also consider slotting some of the songs he rarely performs at his live gigs.

As for Macheso can he deliver something special without playing the extended version of Chengetai, Madhawu, Madhuwe or Shedia?

Even Tongai, what if he starts off his set without the usual intro where he teases fans with bits and pieces of Murozvi Mukuru, Zakeyo, Ndinde Makorokoza or Nemumvura Mese?

Local fans seem to be getting fade up with the usual playlists even if the musicians have a wide selection of songs to choose from.

So as Mtukudzi takes to stage tonight at the Andy Millar Hall, are fans guaranteed of surprises? And if so, what is he going to sing, which song is he going to perform first and which of his songs is he going to play last?

Is Mtukudzi prepared to bring those sweet memories from down the memory lane?

There is so much that is expected of Mtukudzi and as a musician he has his personal favourites but he should know that when he stages a live show it is no longer about himself but his fans.

Other musicians, Rebecca Malope included, whose discography includes more than 60 albums often ask fans what they want to listen to. This is because it is equally bad to assume what fans want to hear given the wide selection of songs.

The same could be asked of Macheso if he is able to surprise his fans with a performance without that Wacko Jacko impostor?

Is Charakupa the only song his fans love to enjoy most? Are fans going to enjoy and then forget which songs he played or what he said during intervals? Or it would be one of those moments where before Macheso even sings a word, the crowd would be already singing along to Chimoko Changu.

The same questions could be asked about Suluman and his Orchestra Dendera Kings.

Is Sulu going to wear his leather outfit? Is he going to shout 'sure sure here' or play One Way?

What if he decides to perform all his compositions and leave out those by his late father? How often does he sing alongside Allan Chimbetu?

Can Sulu sing acapella and if yes, why hasn't he done that? Imagine listening to Kunjere and One Way on acoustic or Lisaidiye on trombone or sax? Mtukudzi knows this and this is why he sings acapella on the song Umambo maybe as an interlude or teaser.

This Saturday Suluman and Alexio Kawara will be supporting acts for the Black Spirits, Mtukudzi's backing band. While the line-up cuts across all ages, it is likely to feel a lot like a new outing considering that Alexio has made the crossover from CD playbacks to live band.

He has become a likeable character and fans both young and the old love his music As musicians they should not be predictable, as that would make them sound awful. Let fans sing along not only because they know the song but also because they enjoy it.

The fact that people can listen and enjoy opera without singing along does not mean opera is boring, actually it is the kind of music full of life and soothes the soul.