Blame game as Chameleone shows flop

Confusion and chaos characterised the highly anticipated weekend shows featuring Uganda singer Dr Jose Chameleone as blame games between the organisers, venue owners and police left music lovers reeling. Signs that the two shows organised by Royal FM would not go well emerged on Friday morning when Chameleone and his entourage arrived at Kigali International Airport and there was no one in sight to welcome him. Revelers dancing during the show. (Fernand Mugisha) The ‘Wale wale’ singer waited for 30 minutes or so before Royal FM’s Robert Mbaraga and Gaston Rurangwa appeared to pick the singer. Chameleone, known for his hot temper, was already incensed and could not take any of the explanations. “Go away from me. Try to be professional,” the singer raved as he rejected the vehicles arranged for him. Mbaraga explained that Chameleone came with an early flight, rather than the one they had booked for him. But later the organisers were able to sort out issues with the singer and rehearsals for the VIP show began. However, the worst was yet to come. The stage was set in the big tent at Kigali Serena Hotel. By 9:30pm there was just a handful of people in the big marque. By 10pm, it was clear that not many people would show up. But it was not over yet, just as the organisers pondered about the low turn up, police struck. The show was stopped just as the MC Mr Skizzy went on stage to introduce the band. Police informed the organisers that the management of Kigali Serena Hotel had been informed that concerts in the tent or any outdoor live performances are not permitted beyond 10pm. Fans join Jose Chameleone on the stage during his show at Gikondo Expo Grounds on Saturday. (Fernand Mugisha) According to Jesse Kiyingi, the Royal FM Managing Partner, Royal FM had initially booked the ballroom only for the hotel management to inform them a day before the concert that the hall would not be available for the event. “They instead told us that the tent was available. We understand that Serena knew well that police would not allow the concert in the tent to go on due to noise pollution but they never told us,” Kiyingi said. The organisers were forced to refund money to the few people who had turned up. Robert Jackson Nkuke, Chameleone’s manager said that the singer was disappointed by the decision to cancel the show. Chameleone himself took to Facebook to thank his Kigali fans. “Thanks Kigali for the ultimate loyalty even when the Security cancelled the VIP concert. I give thanks, because they best-know security and have all reasons to protect people when necessary, me inclusive,” the Bayuda singer posted. Chameleone then promised to make up for the lost opportunity at the second show which was scheduled for Saturday at Gikondo PSF Expo Grounds. However, the show in Gikondo did not also go as planned as it was marred by technical glitches and a low turn up. Curtain raisers were booed off the stage while the DJ and the sound people received the most heckles from the agitated audience. At around 10PM, the first curtain raiser came on, some unknown upcoming artistes, but the numbers were still low, as about only 300 people were in attendance. TBB, one of the warm up artistes, left the stage after microphones refused to work. At about 10:30pm, Chameleone’s band came on stage to test the machines before the singer came on stage. The Ugandan singer managed to cheer up the modest crowd, asking them to get on their feet and sing along with him. Fans enjoying the show. (Fernand Mugisha) Chameleone run through almost all his songs that have made him a household name in the region and beyond. From Wale wale, to Bayuda, Jamila, Bomboclat, to the old ones like Tingisha, Chameleone proved his worth. The microphones were still a let-down but the Tubonge singer managed to woo his audience. When it was approaching midnight, curtains came down on yet another near flop show, which probably left Royal FM, a radio station owned by Mount Kenya University, wondering what could have gone wrong.

Entertainment

Blame game as Chameleone shows flop