Kigali welcomed the New Year with music, movement and fireworks as thousands of revellers gathered at the Kigali Convention Centre roundabout for The Last Night, a city-backed concert headlined by Rwandan R&B star Kevin Kade, who was also celebrating five years in the music industry.
Long before nightfall, music lovers streamed into the public square from different parts of the city, filling the space hours ahead of the first performances.
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By evening, the venue had transformed into a packed open-air arena, complete with organised entry points, heightened security and a towering stage fitted with live instrumentation, screens and lighting befitting an end-of-year spectacle.
The night opened on a high note with a performance by children from the Sherrie Silver Foundation. Their energetic choreography drew warm applause and set a community-centred tone for the show.
Kenny K-Shot followed, backed by a live band as he performed fan favourites such as Ntaribi and Buss It, reworked with fuller live arrangements.
Bruce The 1st kept the momentum going with selections from his catalogue, before Angell Mutoni stepped in with a confident set that included Kanguruke, 10 Over 10 and Bounce, also supported by live instrumentation.
The early stretch of performances allowed the crowd to ease into the long night ahead, gradually building energy as the programme unfolded.
Veteran rapper Bulldogg later took the stage, prompting loud reactions from longtime fans as he delivered signature tracks including Yo Fam, Hafi and Nk’Umusaza.
Many in the crowd rapped along word for word, underscoring his enduring influence in Rwanda’s hip-hop scene.
Gakondo singer Ruti Joel followed with one of the night’s most emotionally charged sets. His performance peaked with Ntimugire Ubwoba, as the audience sang along loudly, repeatedly chanting "Muzehe wacu” as he wrapped up his appearance.
Sustained cheers greeted Kevin Kade when he finally took the stage. Revisiting the songs that have defined his five-year journey, the singer delivered a polished performance that blended live vocals with refined production. Tracks such as Nyanja, Nyiragongo and Tiana kept the crowd fully engaged.
Midway through his set, Kevin Kade invited Chriss Eazy on stage for their collaborative song Jugumila, drawing strong reactions from fans familiar with their shared work.
Shaffy later joined him, maintaining the momentum before the arrival of Tanzanian Bongo Flava star Alikiba.
Alikiba’s entrance marked one of the night’s biggest moments.
Performing hits including Cinderella alongside other fan favourites, he drew both Rwandan fans and East African Bongo Flava loyalists, reflecting the cross-border appeal that has sustained his career.
After Alikiba exited, Bwiza returned the spotlight to local talent with a high-energy performance that further lifted the crowd. Several other artistes rotated through the stage as the night progressed.
At midnight, the music paused for a fireworks display that lit up the KCC roundabout for about 20 minutes.
Continuous bursts marked the official transition into 2026, drawing cheers as many in the crowd captured the moment on their phones.
The celebration resumed with late-night performances from Bushali, Diez Dola and Riderman, whose back-to-back sets leaned into hip-hop and urban sounds, keeping the crowd engaged well into the early hours of the New Year.
More than a countdown concert, The Last Night doubled as a milestone in Kevin Kade’s career, bringing together artistes across genres and generations while reinforcing Kigali’s growing reputation as a destination for large-scale public music events.