If there were any doubts that normalcy is returning after Covid-19, then there is no better way to prove that than looking back at this past weekend. People had waited with a lot of anticipation when a cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame at the beginning of September, okayed the resumption of shows and public gatherings, including concerts. Though two previous shows, the Kiss FM Summer Music Awards 2021 and the Maisha Band Experience in Kigali had set the pace, followed by the Trappish Concert, the weekend before this one, it is the Movember Festival and Bruce Melodie’s 10-year anniversary concert that have truly kicked in the concert mood. Although some glitches in organisation have surfaced, such as managing queues and Covid-19 tests on the ground, it is fair to say that normalcy has returned in the show business. For Adekunle Gold, even though the show at Canal Olympia went well, he had some concerns about the sound output and the fact that the show ended just after 10pm, he was nevertheless to hold his first show in East Africa, his next one set to be in Kampala soon. “Rwanda has been so awesome. I am really happy to be here and the vibe was just real, save for the sound issue towards the end,” the ‘Okay’ singer told The New Times at the end of his performance. Some of the issues that emerged at the show included long lines and crowding at the Covid-19 testing site. There was a bit of pushing and shoving at the entrance as security and show organisers struggled to contain the many people flooding the venue. Parking management proved to be a challenge as revellers had to walk long distances from the parking area to the show itself. Traffic jams, to and from the show, were also hectic as concert goers tried to beat the curfew. Movember Festival and Bruce Melodie’s 10-year anniversary concert that have truly kicked in the concert mood. Overall, the performances were fun as showgoers simply showed their satisfaction that life was coming back, cheering and dancing to every performance, including Kenny Sol’s and surprise act appearances including Gabiro Guitar and Okkama of ‘Iyallah’ fame. Thank God concert goers are tested and show proof of vaccination to access the venues, otherwise social distancing remains a major challenge. Show of solidarity Bruce Melodie’s show which shutdown Kigali Arena proved that if there is anything Covid-19 did, it was bringing together people, putting all the petty fights and beef behind to support each other. Apart from those who performed including Alyn Sano, Papa Cyangwe, Bulldogg, Mike Kayihura, Inganzo Ngari, Christopher, Niyo Bosco and Riderman, many other artistes and players in the showbiz industry showed up to support Bruce Melodie. The singer himself took to Twitter to express his amazement at the concert which was sold out, pointing out that he was mind blown. His manager, Lee Ndayisaba, pointed out that it was much more than they expected. “Thank you, Rwanda, for all the love you showed last night! #10YearsOfBruceMelodie was EPIC!,” Ndayisaba tweeted after the show. By press time, the hashtag #10YearsOfBruceMelodie was still trending on Twitter, with many expressing their satisfaction with how the show turned out. The two major shows over the weekend have set the momentum for the forthcoming events later this month, leading into the festive season. Nigerian star Omah Lay is set to perform at Kigali Fiesta on November 13 at Kigali Arena, alongside Platini, Juno Kizigenza and Bushali among others. In the same month, on November 20, Nigerian superstar Rema of ‘Soundgasm’ fame will also be in town to perform at the BK All Star Game, also at Kigali Arena. Many more shows are lined up for December. Watch this space!
