After promising a lot for his sonic and visual showcase in Kigali over the weekend, Senegalese DJ/producer Ibaaku could only deliver so much.

Hardly had the show gotten underway at the venue –the Bel Air Bar and Restaurant in Gishushu-Remera on Saturday night, when the police showed up in front of the stage, ordering the show stopped.

By 9:45 pm, everything had fallen silent, and the frustrated crowds begun trickling out in search of alternative entertainment options.

Ibaaku was in the country for two shows courtesy of Institut Français du Rwanda, as part of his global tour that saw him cover a couple of European and African countries.

His first show in Rwanda was a small DJ set held at the Root House in Kacyiru on Friday night. During that show, he promised a full stage show the following day, where he would DJ, sing and toast on a live stage with visuals.

He was to also play guitar and keyboard, but thanks to an early visit by the police at the venue, the show ended in disappointment.

The organiser’s main undoing was that the concert was staged outdoors, on the terrace where the stage had been rigged.

Police argued that management should have erected a sound proof structure for such concerts, and pleas by organisers and the bar’s management to have the show proceed all fell on their deaf ears.

Ibaaku was touring with his 8-track album, Alien Cartoon, which he released at the beginning of 2016 as his first solo musical project.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw