Dr Thomas Muyombo  aka Tom Close wowed concert goers at Kigali Serena Hotel, as he launched two new albums- Ihogora and Isi last Saturday.

Music lovers from all over Kigali turned up in big numbers to enjoy the concert that started at 6pm.

The concert started with energetic performances by some of the country’s talented musicians such as Gaby Umutware, Peace Jolis and Hope Irakoze, the winner of Tusker Project Fame season 6, (TPF6).

Umutware hit the stage first, performing his single Ayo bavuga. He was followed by Peace who was backed by Sauti Band. Irakoze rocked the stage with his powerful voice before teaming up with Peace for a duet.

Kina Music artistes Christopher Muneza, Dream Boys and Knowless also delivered energetic performances. Donning traditional Rwandan outfit, Muneza performed two singles, Agatima and Babyumva, while the duo of Dream Boys sang Uzahahe uronke. The crowd danced and chanted along.

Knowless performed her latest single Baramushaka but the crowd’s favourite was Tulia, her latest composition.

However, the peak of the evening was from Tom Close, and he seemed to have selected the right songs for the crowd. From Mama w’abana to Ndakubona - among others, the songs kept the crowd alive and dancing throughout his performance.

With his stylish outfit, beautiful sound, Tom Close, as he is affectionately known, kept the crowd on its feet. He gave a lively and entertaining 45-minute performance before making way again for the curtain-raisers. Tom Close was backed by the Nyundo School of Arts’ (WDA) band and the dancers.

He was later joined by other Kina Music artistes, and together they performed their popular track Nshatse inshuti which they dedicated to music legend Abdoul Makanyaga, who is in hospital following an accident.

Other highlights of the evening included a comedy performance by Gilles Julius Niyitejeka. The 17-year-old presented unique and exciting jokes. At some point, Niyitejeka mimicked show-biz personalities and left the audience in a rib cracking laughter.

"The stage was nice and well set. Tom Close has done some incredible work. He’s shown ambition and he’s on another level,” said Jean Luc Nyoni, one of Tom Close’s fans.

The Ndacyagukunda singer said he was delighted after staging a successful concert.

"We prepared for a month. I am grateful for the fans and artists and sponsors that helped. I wouldn’t have achieved much by myself. I always kept in touch with the fans and it has paid off,” he said.       

Tom Close’s album launch was sponsored by Primus and Ameki Colour.