Amahoro National Stadium parking area was thought to be a place to go for music lovers in town over the weekend – for the closing of the annual music festival KigaliUp – but that was not the case. 

Only a few people turned up but they were able to enjoy good music from a long list of local and international artistes who headlined the 8th edition of KigaliUp Festival.

The festival took place from July 26-28.

Despite the festival establishing itself into an annual celebration of diversity, creativity and the evolution of art, culture and music as well as a platform for local artistes to exchange experience with other artistes from across the globe, this year’s did not live up to expectations.

For Jacques ‘Mighty Popo’ Murigande, the organiser, the numbers did not matter and he was not expecting to make large sums of money out of it either.

He pointed out that what he cared about most was to make sure everything was going according to plan and that the small number of people who came enjoyed themselves. "For me to see people happy, even if they are two, three or four people, it is great for me. There was a small number but I am sure they were happy.”

"I do not expect anything back from the festival but the growth of our artistes and our music industry and that is already happening and I don’t mind whether I am losing money or not. In the end I am winning because the industry is growing as I am building something that is useful to others,” he said.

Besides artistes Andy Bumuntu, Milly Mutoni, and Eric One Key, who performed at the festival opening on Thursday alongside Ivorian legendary Reggae maestro Alpha Blondy, each of the local performers drafted on the festival performance line-up had a chance to perform alongside international artiste during the closing day on Saturday, after DJs’ performances.

The even small number of music lovers who showed up enjoyed soulful performances from all-girl Ubudasa band from Nyundo School of Music, Jody Phibi, Active, Phionah Mbabazi, Igor Mabano, Reggae musician Jah Bon D and teen music sensation Rita Ange Kagaju, whose performance made folks emotional thanks to her amazing voice.

The closing of the festival was graced by international artistes like Joey Blake, who has become a regular at the festival, Ugandan traditional folk musician Annet Nandujja and her The Planets band, and German singer Kenny Wesley and his band Soulful Nerd.

Generally, Mighty Popo said the festival achieved its expectations but he did add that this could be the last edition if he does not get partners for the next edition due to limited resources.

"One thing I can say right now is that, next year, I am not going to do this alone. I want to find someone else to come and help me. Right now, financially, I am no longer ready to do it alone.”

Joey Blake said Rwanda has a lot music talents but thinks the festival needs to be advertised more to attract more people.

"When you look at the young musicians who performed, they are doing amazing things on stage. Each of them had great performances and showed amazing skills, I liked everything about their performances, they were very strong, very organised, with energy and passion for music,” he said.

"But if you need people to come to the festival, then there should be a way to prepare your things earlier. Advertise earlier. The billboards have to be up so that many people driving can see them and keep saying KigaliUp, KigaliUp, KigaliUp… again and again. It makes people remember that something is going to happen and talk about it. That is my opinion,” a seemingly disappointed but positive Blake said.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw