With the countrywide playback shows done and dusted, PGGSS4 contestants were on Saturday tasked to perform live before a panel of three judges and an eager audience at Amahoro stadium in Kigali.

The show marked the beginning of a string of live performances that will be a basis upon which the judges and fans alike will choose the best of all the contenders, with a Rwf24m prize awaiting the ultimate winner.

In a rather spectacular arrangement, a band was available for the contestants to each showcase the very best of their vocal range, dance and stage performance. With a well lit stage, the show kicked off at 7p.m, hosted by comedian Arthur Nkusi, who throughout the evening, made rib cracking jokes.

Dressed to match his back-up dancers, Eric Senderi opened the show with his hit song Jelousie followed by Nsomyaho in which he exuded a lot of energy amidst cheers from adoring fans that raised banners and waved in support.

Then Bruce Melodie followed with his Indorerwaho hit. He sung and coordinated his dance moves perfectly with his back-up dancers in a performance that equally earned him applauses from the audience.

Jay Polly came right after and sensationally rocked the audience with Kumusenyi and Deux fois deux. Flanked by a back-up singer and dancers, his performance was possibly the best of the evening as he got the audience into real celebratory mood with his hip-hop songs. Going by the audiences’ evident delight at his performances, Jay Polly proved to be one of the best contenders for the big prize.

To hit the stage next was Young Grace, the only hip-hop lady in the competition, who came with new stunts up her sleeves with her backup dancers plastered on their left arms that were burning with fire. She sung Bingo and Ikimenyane though she didn’t really enjoy as much support from the audience as the previous contestants.

Known for their mastery of dance, Active group followed thereafter and never disappointed. The audience got lost in the moment as they attentively watched the trio dance and sing to Udukoryo twinshi and Pole. However, it was quite noticeable that their vocals were lost in the beats and weren’t as audible.

Dream Boys then hit the stage performing Urare aharyana and Uzahahe uronke that got the crowd singing along to the two songs as the duo performed. Their performance was fair enough going by the audience’s reaction.

With some of his fans in the audience raising banners bearing his name, hip-hop star Amag the Black performed U Rwanda rw’Amafaranga and Turi ku ishuri with a good measure of cheers from the spectators.

Then the lively Jules Sentore treated the audience to traditional Kinyarwanda dance with his backup dancers while singing Ziraje and Ndayoboza in a very powerful performance. He exuded great composure and vocals on stage, leaving the audience mesmerised.

Kora award nominee Christopher hit the stage alone and confidently delivered amidst cheers from his fans that became more pronounced with his second song Ndabyemeye after Uwo munsi.

Diana Teta closed the show with a stunning performance in which she exuded energy, great vocals and tranquillity as she sung her latest reggae song Call Me, and then Ikarita. She earned admiration from the audience that cheered her on throughout her performance.

The show closed shortly with judges handing over the results of the entire show to a representative of PWC, the audit and quality assurance firm that oversees the results of the competition.