An evening of nostalgia took over Kigali because the Oldies Music Pageant returned with a reside twist, that includes a lineup of among the metropolis’s best DJs—Recent Freddie, Infinity, RY and Nano—earlier than headlining act Wyre turned Kigali Universe into one large dance ground on Saturday, July 26.
The Kenyan artiste made each second of his 55-minute efficiency depend, fascinating old-school music lovers along with his signature reggae and dancehall sounds.
MC Luckman Nzeyimana opened the night time at 9:20 p.m., setting the tone for a rotation of DJs. DJ Nano battled early technical glitches however rapidly recovered and received the gang over, earlier than DJ RY took over with a number of old-school mixes that had the viewers on its toes effectively earlier than midnight.
The environment reached one other stage at 11:40 p.m. when Wyre, born Kevin Waire, took the stage for a reside set that ran till 12:35 a.m. DJ RY then returned to maintain the social gathering going earlier than the competition wrapped up at 2:06 a.m.
Wyre is greatest identified throughout the area for his work with Crucial Noise, She Say That and the East African Bashment Crew that includes Bebe Cool. Songs from his dancehall catalogue have turn out to be traditional anthems, they usually obtained an enthusiastic reception throughout his first efficiency in Kigali.
The choice to herald a reside performer marked a deliberate shift for an occasion that has, till now, constructed its id virtually solely round DJ units.
“We began with DJs solely, and this yr we launched a reside artist,” occasion organiser Basile Uwimana instructed The New Instances, including that Wyre’s catalogue carried the type of nostalgic attraction the competition has spent years cultivating.
“Because the Oldies Music Pageant continues to develop, we’re continually searching for methods to boost the expertise. Wyre was the right alternative as a result of his music represents the period and nostalgia that the competition celebrates,” he stated.
Wyre’s solo catalogue, anchored by the album Ten Years Wiser, and collaborations with worldwide names reminiscent of P-Sq., 2Baba, Alaine, Cecile and Morgan Heritage have stored him related throughout East and West Africa for practically three a long time.
His music has additionally discovered a powerful following on Rwandan airwaves, together with by way of his collaboration with native artiste Miss Shanel on Nakupenda Pia.
The recollections that his music created up to now have been relived in Kigali, with hardly a observe on Wyre’s set failing to get the gang transferring. The viewers danced and sang alongside as he moved from one acquainted hit to a different.
Amongst celebrities that attended the occasion embrace host venue proprietor Coach Gael and 1:55AM CEO Kenny Mugarura, music supervisor Alex Muyoboke, comic and actor Clapton Kibonge amongst others.
In response to Uwimana, the constructive suggestions from attendees, companions and artistes confirmed that the organising group had achieved its targets.
Organisers are already waiting for a doable December version, though the venue and precise date have but to be confirmed.
If it goes forward as deliberate, it could mark the competition’s second version of the yr and will sign a shift in direction of a biannual format reasonably than a single annual occasion.
For now, the group behind the competition says its aim stays to develop an occasion constructed round music from the Nineteen Seventies, Nineteen Eighties, Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s.
“The music from that period stays timeless and continues to deliver individuals collectively throughout generations,” Uwimana stated.
