The COVID-19 pandemic will indeed leave a scar on all sectors, including the entertainment world. Many players in this field had to shift from performing before huge crowds to entertaining revelers from television screens, a new normal that artistes said was tiresome, but necessary.
Locally, a big number of online entertainment events were held on the national broadcaster Rwanda Television and MK1 TV- a YouTube channel that mainly features entertainment content.
Below is a recap of major virtual concerts that shaped the year 2020;
Iwacu Muzika Festival
Different from last year’s performances that attracted crowds, this time, Iwacu Muzika festival’s audience were people watching from the comfort of their homes, to adhere to the government’s directives that among other things restrict large gatherings in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Gospel singer Israel Mbonyi’s performance during Iwacu Muzika festival. Courtesy.
This year’s Iwacu Muzika gave space for upcoming artistes in the creative industry and attracted many renowned performers including Bruce Melodie, Social Mula, Christopher, Knowless Butera, Queen Cha, Intore Masamba, Abdoul Makanyaga, Charly na Nina, Patient Bizimana, Yvan Buravan, Clarisse Karasira and Jay Polly, and many others.
Yvan Buravan was one of performers of ‘Iwacu Muzika’ show.
A total of 15 shows dubbed SusurukiraMuRugo, turned out to be the most sought-after weekend show to watch on Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA).
My Talent
After organising a successful ‘Iwacu Muzika’ festival, East African Promoters (EAP) in November introduced ‘My Talent’; another combination of live concerts that served as a platform to young but fast-rising Rwandan artistes to showcase the best their talent can offer to music fans.
A visual artist showcases his talent during ‘My Talent’ visual show.
Peace Jolis during the virtual ‘My Talent’ show.
The weekly one-hour-long concerts are expected to culminate this Thursday with the performances of Nel Ngabo and Nemeye Platini, having given music lovers a memorable experience from the previous performances of Jules Sentore, Mico The Best, ALYN Sano, Marina, Peace Jolis, B-Threy and many others.
Dj Miller’s Shani album launch
In honor of deceased celebrated disk jockey, DJ Miller, his family and friends took to MK1 TV to launch ‘Shani’ Album- a collection of 10 single and collaboration songs that he had started but unfortunately did manage to finish.
Named after DJ Miller’s daughter and only child, ‘Shani’ who inspired the making of this album to honor the devotion and passion the DJ always had for music, the album was produced by celebrated producer Davy Denko.
A number of artistes and DJs participated in the virtual album launch that took place early this month. They include DJ Pius, DJ Toxxyk, DJ Marnaud, to perform ‘Enjoyment’, Riderman, Uncle Austin, Peace Jolis, Kivumbi King, and many others.
Seka Live
Comedy was not left out when it came to embracing virtual platforms to amuse home-based audiences. As a matter of fact, the annual Seka Live comedy show is being aired on KC2 every Sunday since August 23 and will go through for the next two months.
According to Arthur Nkusi, the brains behind the comedy concept through his company Arthur Nation, the evaluation done through social media showed that people have embraced the new medium.
Besides giving a platform for promising comedians such as Fally Merci, ‘Seka Live Archives’, the program also shows performances of comedians that people might have missed during live shows hosted before the outbreak of Covid-19. They include international acts like Basket Mouth, Daliso Chaponda and others.
Each One Reach One gospel concert
Initially scheduled to take place in the presence of thousands of revelers at Intare Conference Arena in Rusororo in March it was later cancelled due to fears of the outbreak of Covid-19, and organisers of Each One Reach One gospel concert opted to live stream the concert on YouTube, with no spectators.
Renowned artistes Gentil and Adrien Misigaro managed to perform 17 songs, putting smiles on faces of gospel music lovers who had thought that the concert was completely canceled.
However, this did not deter the North America-based duo of Gentil and Adrien Misigaro from holding their concert, only this time it was just streamed online on YouTube.
Other online concerts that trended
Other local artistes who managed to defy the odds and entertained fans even during the pandemic with the use of tech-based means include Nel Ngabo who launched his debut album online, Tom Close, celebrated Hip-Hop artistes Tuff Gang, and gospel singer Israel Mbonyi.
All these artistes’ performances were streamed live on MK1 TV.