PHOTOS: Spinny and Friends show ends on a high as music, football unite fans

Thousands of music and football fans flocked to Gahanga Cricket Stadium over the weekend for the second edition of the Spinny & Friends Summer Festival, a two-day celebration of regional music, DJ culture and a live screening of the FIFA World Cup final. Organised by Ugandan disc jockey and promoter DJ Spinny, the festival took place on Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19. It marked his second major event in Rwanda, following his debut show at Zaria Court in December 2025. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the festival moved to the larger Gahanga Cricket Stadium and expanded into a two-day programme, with the second day combining live performances and football. The event drew a diverse audience from across Rwanda and neighbouring countries, with many Ugandan revellers crossing the border to support one of the country's most celebrated DJs. The opening day centred on DJ performances, featuring Vega Drift, DJ Pyfo, Selector Jay, DJ Inno, Fem DJ, Joxy Parker, Sheilah Gashumba, DJ Marnaud and DJ Dash before South African amapiano star Kabza De Small headlined the night. Spinny opened his set on an emotional note by paying tribute to late Rwandan singer Yvan Buravan. He kicked off with Buravan's hit Malaika, prompting thousands of fans to sing along before playing several of the late artiste's best-known songs in honour of his legacy. The atmosphere soon shifted back into full party mode as Spinny mixed Afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop and amapiano, keeping the crowd on its feet before handing over to Kabza De Small. Widely regarded as one of amapiano's pioneers, the South African producer delivered an energetic set featuring some of his biggest hits, including Sponono, Asibe Happy, iMali, Abalele, Nkulunkuluand Emcimbini, drawing loud cheers from fans who sang along throughout. Spinny later returned for a back-to-back performance with Kabza De Small before Vega Drift closed the opening day. The festival resumed on Sunday with another packed programme, this time blending live music with a screening of the FIFA World Cup final. Local DJs Vega Drift, Selector Jay, DJ Alisha and Edwizzy Selekta warmed up the crowd before Ugandan dancehall singer Utah Nice took to the stage. The entertainment briefly paused as thousands of fans turned their attention to giant screens inside the stadium to watch the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The stadium erupted after Spain edged Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the trophy, with jubilant supporters celebrating the dramatic victory before the music resumed. Kenyan singer Elijah Kitaka followed with a performance of some of his popular songs, while Rwandan stars Mike Kayihura and The Ben closed the live music segment, delivering some of the weekend's loudest singalongs. Spinny then returned for a final back-to-back set with DJ Dash, bringing the curtain down on a weekend that successfully blended live music, regional DJ culture and football into one memorable festival experience.

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PHOTOS: Spinny and Friends show ends on a high as music, football unite fans