Local music fans might have to wait a little longer as the much-anticipated concert of Belgo-Rwanda singer Paul van Haver, aka Stromae, has been postponed to a date yet to be communicated.
Local music fans might have to wait a little longer as the much-anticipated concert of Belgo-Rwanda singer Paul van Haver, aka Stromae, has been postponed to a date yet to be communicated.
The Kigali concert, which was scheduled for June 20, was cancelled along with other concerts around the world that the singer was scheduled to hold following a bout of ill-health that saw him rushed back to Europe last week in the middle of an African tour.
A media release by Stromae’s production firm, Auguri Production and Mosaert, on Sunday indicated that about nine concerts of the singer have been put on hold until at least August 2, after doctors recommended weeks of treatment and a bed rest.
Positive Production’s Judo Kanobana, who is among the partners who have been organising the show, confirmed to The New Times that the concert had been called off and new dates will be set.
"It is true the show will not take place as scheduled due to the unfortunate illness that hit Stromae. Doctors recommended that he cancels all concerts to focus on treatment,” Kanobana said.
"All partners involved will hold a press conference tomorrow to announce the way forward. One thing for sure is that he will come. Those who have already bought tickets can keep them, but those who want a refund will be refunded.”
According to reports from France, the Papaoutai singer was asked by doctors to rest as he undergoes treatment after he cut short his African tour ahead of a concert in Kinshasa, last week, to rush back to Europe for urgent medical attention.
Media reports indicate that the singer has requested the organisers to refund fans who had already acquired tickets.
The highly anticipated show in Kigali had not only excited Stromae’s fans but the rest of the world was waiting in anticipation to see how the singer’s ‘homecoming’ would go.
Stromae was born to a Rwandan father and a Belgian mother.
Earlier, the singer had expressed excitement and anxiety over performing in Kigali, noting that he could not wait but fate has had its say – at least for now.
Apart from the Kigali concert, the singer called off concerts in London, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Canada, the US, among others, but he had already staged successful shows in Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, Cameroon and Gabon.