By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Zimbabwean rhumba favourites Diamond Musica are wasting no time settling into their new base in the United Kingdom.
The band, which relocated last December, will stage their first UK show on June 27 at Xscape Northampton, 5 Horseshoe Street.
The debut performance will be a full-bodied celebration of dance and nostalgia, featuring guest DJs Shebhelebhe and Tongishto, alongside old-school maestro DJ D Train—also known as The Wheels of Steel—who is set to keep the classics spinning deep into the night.
For the past decade, Diamond Musica has been a staple of Zimbabwe’s live music scene, thrilling rhumba lovers with their waist-wriggling rhythms and high-energy performances. Now, the group is gearing up to reconnect with fans in the diaspora.
“We relocated to the UK last year, and this will be our first-ever concert here, so the excitement is real,” said band leader Pitshou Lumiere.
“We’re not just performing for Zimbabweans, but for Africans at large. There are many rhumba fans here, including from my home country, the DRC. This will definitely be a night to remember.”
Pitshou promised a show packed with electric energy, dazzling choreography, and irresistible grooves as the band blends old-school sounds with contemporary rhumba flair.
Fans will remember Diamond Musica’s standout performances at last year’s Jacaranda Music Festival and their crowd-pulling residency at Fortress Club, where they frequently shared the stage with reggae and dancehall artist Mannex.
The pairing delivered a pulsating fusion of Congolese rhythms and deep reggae basslines that kept dance floors packed until the early hours.
With timeless hits such as Amaule, Kayembe, Sina Makosa and Dis Is Good, Diamond Musica continues to command a loyal, multigenerational following.
Known for their precision choreography and infectious stage presence, the band’s live shows remain a feast for both the eyes and the ears.
Often joking that he is “more Zimbabwean than Congolese,” Pitshou Lumiere has played a key role in keeping rhumba vibrant and relevant on the local scene—a mission the group now carries with them as they usher their sound onto UK stages.
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