Physical concerts, festivals and exhibitions have returned in the country, after almost one and half years of restriction due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Before the outbreak of COVID-19 however, Rwanda saw some of the best musicians in the world partying performing in the country. In no particular order, The New Times looks at some of the best concerts that held in Rwanda in the past few years. Stromae’s homecoming concert Rwandan-Belgian singer Stromae’s historic performance at Kigali Independent University (ULK), is praised to be the best homecoming concert that ever took place in Rwanda after it was postponed several times. The show which happened on October 17, 2015 saw thousands of revelers singing to songs like ‘Papaoutai’, ‘Formidable’ and ‘Alors on danse’ together with the renowned electronic musician. Born to a Rwandan father, Pierre Rutare, and a Belgian mother Miranda Van Haver, Stromae is a renowned artiste with top awards like the European Festival Award and MTV Europe award. Stromae’s homecoming concert is still discussed in the streets of Kigali. Burna Boy experience Organised by Entertainment Factory Ltd, the concert which took place on March 23, 2019 will go down in the entertainment history books as one of the most attended music gigs Kigali has ever seen and by far, the biggest music party that Intare arena hosted since it was opened. The ‘On the low’ hitmaker is one of the best afro pop musicians alive with a Grammy award. The live show was attended by all kinds of people, from little kids to senior citizens, making it the best concert of 2019. Fiesta Music Festival Fiesta music festival saw different top international stars like Morgan heritage, Diamond Platinumz and Vanessa Mdee performing on the same stage, which made it the most historic concert that took place outside Kigali in Rwanda. The concert made more than 20 thousand people head to Nyamata town at Golden Tulip Hotel to party with different musicians including renowned Rwandan stars such as Yvan Buravan, Charly Na Nina and DJ Pius. Fiesta musical festival opened doors for Nyamata city, and made it home for concerts, by hosting many concerts after. ‘Kwita Izina’ concert with Ne-Yo The evening of September 8, is when Ne-Yo real names Shaffer Chimere Smith, performed live for thousands of old and young music lovers in Rwanda. Organised by Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the show saw a big and hyped crowd singing to Ne-Yo’s songs like ‘let me love you’ and ‘Miss Independent’. Attended by President Paul Kagame and being the first concert ever held at Kigali Arena, the show ranks among the best sold-out event that has ever happened in Rwanda. The Hillsong London Live Concert It is known to be the best gospel concert that rocked in the country by bringing together thousands of people, both the Christian community and non-Christians. Organised by Rwanda Events Group, the concert took place at Kigali arena on December 6, 2019 with Hillsong London as the main guests alongside local renowned gospel artistes like Aime Uwimana and Rene Patrick.
