After over a month of clubs being closed, performances and shows banned in the country, the cabinet meeting which convened on Wednesday, January 26, have allowed them to resume, a move the entertainment industry welcomed with relief. Different players in the industry who talked with The New Times expressed excitement on the resuming of shows noting that this is also going to recover the economy of the industry. DJ Pyfo, one of the leading disc jockeys in town, says returning to stage is something to celebrate because the last few weeks were strange especially for instrument players and DJs. He said that the job they do requires interacting with people on a daily basis, and not doing so, is mentally challenging .“To all party and music lovers, Im bringing back mad vibes in Kigali,” Pyfo told The New Times. Ibrahim Cyusa, a renowned traditional singer in Rwanda also welcomed the re-opening of shows which is the primary source of income to musicians worldwide. Talking to The New Times he said that ‘Traditional Nights’ (Igitaramo), is one of the most liked events in Kigali, and opening shows means that fans are going to be able to dance and enjoy their cultural sounds, something they missed. “Bookings have already started, and we are ready to party more than ever,” said cyusa. According to David Rusake, a bass player in The Target Band, resuming of shows comes as a solution to instruments players who earn from karaoke, concerts and other gigs. For him, 2022 holds a lot for the music industry and opening pubs and concerts is in line with the target of making local music go global. Making music without a way of showcasing it other than using online platforms slows the music distribution process. Now that we are set to hit the stage again, revellers will be able to connect with us and experience live music. Now, Rusake said, international musicians are going to be headlining concerts in Rwanda which is going to help bands recover financially. Kevin Sekamana, best known as Ish Kevin, said that the re-opening of live events is a huge motivation for musicians especially upcoming ones, who need a platform to showcase their projects. He added that last year when concerts were on, people started to appreciate local music as many noticed in the Trappish mega concert which took place on October 30, 2021 at Canal Olympia. This concert, he said, was a game changer and few others are left to show how music is getting to another level in Rwanda. “Opening events is a good move that will make us drop more bangers. Can’t wait for Trappish concert 2,” he added. DJ Sonia, who is one of a few female disc jockeys in the country, also reacted similarly on the move saying that it was much needed to be able to interact with revelers, something every DJ in the country missed. Kigali is back, she said.
