If you thought Atmosfera was just about music, Saturday night at Mundi Center reminded us that it’s more than just that. It’s about movement, energy, and pure expression. The latest edition, fittingly titled “Intore Edition,” brought together pounding afro house beats, traditional percussion, and a crowd that simply refused to stop dancing. ALSO READ: A night inside Kigali’s ‘Afro House’ pulse: Atmosfera By the time I arrived, the lineup was already in full swing. DJ Kevin Klein, DJ Max Tassan, and DJ Tygaa had warmed up the crowd with deep, pulsing sets. The night’s host, Kem Lion, kept everyone’s spirits high, but the real magic came when Icyogere Mubahungu, a troupe of Intore dancers and drummers, stormed the stage. Their performance was electric—an explosion of drums, footwork, and chants that felt like Kigali itself was dancing. And just when I thought the night couldn’t get any more intense, DJ K’RU took over, dropping one powerful set after another, each track sending the crowd into a new wave of cheers. But Atmosfera didn’t stop at sound. A group of Rwanda’s finest modern dancers had lit up the same stage. Afrogod3, Divine Uwa, Son Aaron, and Intens!ve delivered a piece created exclusively for Atmosfera VI, a fusion of contemporary dance and raw creativity that set the tone for what was to come. What sets Atmosfera apart is its attention to the whole experience. From the moment you step through the gate, you’re given coupons for shots or a spin-win game that keeps the mood light and playful. Merch vendors and drink stalls line the venue, turning it into a mini-festival ground. ALSO READ: Can Kigali become Africa’s next Afro House capital? DJ Lamper thinks so And then there’s DJ Lamper, the founder — the man behind this entire wave. He has been championing this whole concept since March and it has been drawing attention of hundreds of Afri House music. When Lamper finally stepped on stage, the crowd roared. His set felt like a victory lap for a brand that has successfully made Afro house part of Kigali’s nightlife identity. The surprise of the night? Mike Kayihura. When he appeared, the crowd went wild, singing along to every word and pleading for “just one more song” when he tried to wrap up. You could hear it for real, and he couldn’t resist. He stayed on the stage longer than expected. Atmosfera has now firmly cemented its place at Mundi Center and the venue has found a new vibe that fit it. Lamper has established the Afro House music concept as the leading nightlife event in Kigali, drawing an audience that’s as international as it is local revelers who came for the music but stayed for the shared energy. Saturday’s audience looked quite different with hosts welcoming people from all walks of life who traveled to Kigali for the just-concluded UCI Road World Championships. They got a different sound to dance to and culture won over everything with Intore. People were dancing everywhere in front of the stage, near the merch booths, even by the bar, and for once, nobody seemed to care about holding back. It was a cultural moment, a merging of sound, tradition, and movement that made everyone feel part of something bigger.
