[PHOTOS]: Artistes thrill crowds at CLA gospel concert

Europe-based Burundian gospel artiste Fortran Bigirimana was the main act on Sunday at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) in Nyarutarama, Kigali, when several artistes performed before excited crowds in a concert dubbed, ‘Ntaco Nzoba’. The show, hosted by Fabrice Nzeyimana, founder of Heavenly Melodies, kicked off at 5p.m. The MC kept the crowds entertained in between the change of artistes. The audience can be seen singing along with the artistes. The show got off to a great start with UK-based gospel band, Vinesong, lifting the spirits of the crowd who screamed in appreciation. The band belted out songs like ‘Total Restoration and Living Water’. The band was in full voice and the audience was dancing in their seats. Vinesong was followed by Restoration Church dancers, doing a special rendition of Nigerian award winning musical artiste Osinachi Kalu alias Sinach’s, ‘I know who I am’, and a couple of other songs. Entertainment veteran Eugene Cobra Habimana was present The venue, CLA, was transformed into a magnificent platform with beautiful lighting and the sound was perfect. Several artistes from different musical genres, both gospel and secular, were part of the crowd. The show was lifted a notch higher by more mind-blowing performances from Apollinaire Habonimana. The Burundian gospel music icon wowed the revellers with great hits such as ‘Birabereye’, to name a few. Other artistes who performed at the concert include Aime Uwimana, Patient Bizimana and Dudu T. Niyukuri. Dudu T. Niyukuri performed at the concert. The revellers’ most awaited moment came at about 20 minutes to 7p.m when Bigirimana and his backup singers emerged on the stage amid deafening sounds and immediately put up a marathon performance of several of his songs, including, ‘Muriwe’, ‘Ndidegemvya’ and ‘Arakomeye’, to which revellers stood up and danced with energy, before he posed to speak out what it meant for him to perform in Rwanda. “We have always had a debt to perform her in Rwanda. I am quite glad it’s not only us that felt the debt but you too did,” said Bigirimana. Fortran Bigirimana thrilled gospel music fans at CLA on Sunday evening. The ‘Je Suis en Paix’ star continued to move the crowd with his songs ‘Ndakugomba Mukiza’ and ‘Holy Ghost’, ‘We Long for You’, before inviting his wife, Sophie Derain, to jointly perform their hit ‘Mbayeho Ngo Ngushime.’ They made a wonderful— singing the song with wonderful dynamics. The show came to a close shortly after 9p.m with many still yearning for more. Visiting gospel group Vinesong performed Singer Gabby Kamanzi attended the concert Serge Iyamuremye, one of Rwandas leading gospel musicians performed. Restoration Choir put up a spectacular show People were taken in worship People captured the concert on phones MTNs Alain Numa attended Guests ponder during the performance Gospel singer Aline Gahongayire among those who attended Gospel Musicians including Tonzi came to support Fortran Fortran Bigirimanas brother is equally talented editorial@newtimes.co.rw