New York based singer, Soleil Laurent, who arrived in Kigali on Tuesday, has promised a memorable performance at this year’s KigaliUp Festival, which also brings together several artistes from the region and beyond. 

The American songbird will perform with her band ‘Quantum Split’ and her father Richard ‘Earthman’ Laurent, a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. This is the second time the singer is gracing the festival and was the main act during last year’s edition.

"This year is going to be different from last year and other previous festivals, and the difference I am talking about is simply in growth. We have grown together as a band and we are more connected than ever,” she said during a press briefing at the Ministry of Sports and Culture offices.

"My biggest moment was performing for thousands of people here in Kigali during last year’s festival. I am not afraid of saying that I’m coming back to my home country,” the singer excitedly said when asked about what it means for her to perform for the second time in Rwanda.

The singer is known for her unique live music experience and ultimately the messages that lie within most of her songs. Songs such as I can’tBreathe, America, Boss, and Free are just a few that Soleil has written.

This year, organisers have teamed up with Ni Nyampinga, a local radio programme, to capture the festival and take KigaliUp to Rwandans who aren’t able to attend.

"The show will feature interviews with all the headlining pop stars, top music tracks from the day, and all the energy of the crowd. For people to hear all the music action, and interviews with the stars from KigaliUp, they should tune into the Ni Nyampinga Radio Show on Wednesday August 5 at 6.15pm across Radio Rwanda, RC Musanze, RC Rusizi, Contact FM, Radio Ishingiro, Radio Huguka and Radio 12,” explained Ani Lamont, the programme’s communication manager.

The sixth edition of the festival will take place at Amahoro Stadium grounds on July 30 and 31 and will feature local musicians like Christopher, Oda Paccy, Micho Band, Peace Jolis, Eric Mucyo, Eju Marshall, Danny Vumbi and Sandy Soul from Uganda.

Also expected to perform are American Grammy Award winner Skyler Jett, Kareyce Fotso from Cameroon, Joey Blake from the US and, One People Band from South Africa.

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