Rock is not a very popular music genre in Kigali. Most people still view it largely as a Western indulgence. Others have termed it music for ‘crazy’ people on hard drugs.
Rock is not a very popular music genre in Kigali. Most people still view it largely as a Western indulgence. Others have termed it music for ‘crazy’ people on hard drugs.
"When you say hard rock or metal most people just see white guys but that’s wrong. There is a lot of black rock and punk and metal music and great African rock bands,” argues Arnaud Nganji from Moucho band. The jazz-rock fusion outfit was formed six years ago in Bujumbura, Burundi but has since made a name in Kigali.
Nganji has teamed up with two local DJs to stage a Rock music gala at Mulindi Japan One Love (kwa Rasta)
on May 19. There will be subsequent pop-up Rock events at different locations in Kigali which, if successful, will culminate into an annual Rock music festival. The concept has been dubbed "Up To 11”.
"There’s a famous guitar amplifier that had to be cranked to the level of 11 so that you could have this very heavy guitar sound, although ten is supposed to be the maximum,” he explained.
"Rock comes from Africa, because the roots of rock are in Blues, and Blues came from African slaves. There are so many different genres and styles of Rock. It is universal and so everybody can be a part of it,” he said.
On why a festival is necessary, he explained: "Rock and Metal is not just music, it also comes with other forms of cultural expression like painting, DJ-ing, fashion, drinks … and we wanted all these to be together”.
The festival is a once in a year activity but our concept is no calendar but to have the event popping up anytime anywhere.”
The trio is in the process of scouting more venues and engaging potential sponsors for subsequent Rock gigs after the first one at One Love.
"It’s not performances but what I would call a sharing event because everybody present will be a part of the adventure.”
There will be two bands playing; Kinga Blues, a small ensemble of instrumentalists that plays for Nganji at his solo gigs, and the Zebra Band.
"The DJs will play metal and dub music. We want it to be really engaging and we want everybody to be a part of it.
"The dress code is black, red and white, the colors of Rock n’ Roll. Those are the first colours a baby is able to recognise after they’re born, meaning Rock n’ Roll is all about simplicity.”
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