Rwanda continues to establish itself a growing entertainment hub and is showing signs of boosting the growing appetite for entertainment as more creative events are being introduced to the scene.
As time goes by however, the most prominent entertainment events that once attracted many top musicians across the globe, thanks to their huge fan base, have slowly faded away.
Sunday Magazine looks at big events which built their name on the party people’s hearts but ended up finding themselves in free fall with financial crisis the main cause for their failure to continue.
Primus Guma Guma Superstar (PGGSS)
Rwanda’s premier music contest, PGGSS, for eight years saw Bralirwa’s brand get tremendous public recognition through their music road shows, but was also a double win for musicians as it gave them a platform to network with their fans nationwide and share their best stage moments with them.
After eight entertaining editions however, the sponsors signed out of the competition in 2018 and diverted to a newly introduced concept, Iwacu Muzika Festival.
Meddy performs at the Mutzing Beer Fest. / File
The festival organisers, East African Promoters, made it clear that the festival did not come to replace PGGSS, but give it a break until the sponsors are ready to support the competition again.
"It should be clear that the competition could pick up again anytime as long as the sponsors are ready to resume their sponsorship. They did not announce that the music project had stopped for good. We are still working together because they are sponsoring our latest Iwacu Muzika Festival,” said Joseph Mushyoma, the CEO of East African Promoters.
Mushyoma however, is doubtful that the music competition will come back anytime soon, but given the huge reception the [Iwacu Muzika] festival received from both music fans and sponsors, there is hope that it will be a success.
Mutzig Beer Fest
If there is a show that took people by storm, it was Mutzig Beer Fest. The concert was one of the biggest concerts organised on the social calendar.
The annual show was however postponed only after just three editions when organisers confirmed that it wouldn’t take place this year.
At the One Africa Summer Beach Fest, revellers dance away the night at Kivu Beach. / Courtesy
Though short-lived, the Bralirwa-sponsored annual music fest was more of a fairytale given the big names in music such as Lilian Mbabazi who graced the opening edition in 2015 to the memorable night when Nigerian singer Wizkid made a historic performance at Rugende ground.
Meddy was the last performer at the Beer Fest as he made his homecoming in style, after seven years in the United States.
Singer Alpha Blondy performs at the last edition of Kigali Up music Festival in 2018. / File
Mushyoma, whose company was contracted by Bralirwa, said, "Given the time the fest takes place, I would be lying if I said that it will take place this time round but sponsors hope to resume the show next year and it could come back with a new image,” he said.
Blankets and Wine
In 2017, a new day time party event was ushered in at the Kigali Golf Club in Nyarutarama. The Blankets & Wine show proved to be more of a picnic, bringing together family, friends, or couples, with some parents carrying their children and pets along.
At the show, revelers had the option of carrying their own food and drink, with many settling for bottles of wine, whisky, and some quick bites.
The Blankets and Wines show was held in 2017 but the organisers immediately pulled out citing lack of sponsors. / File
Although known for its reputation as a marketplace for live music, fashion, food and drink, the Kigali edition failed to stay on its feet after just one successful show as the organisers cited lack of sponsorship.
They, however, are hopeful that it could resume next year as they are raising resources to invest in the show.
Kigali Up Festival
The festival has been undergoing a financial crisis and uncertainties of being staged again but Jacques Murigande, also known as, Mighty Popo, the festival organizer, said he will not be organising the festival anymore if he does not get partners for the next edition.
The Nyama Choma festival used to be a day time food eating experience. / File
The festival is an opportunity for upcoming artistes, having created a platform for them to share the stage with big names in the music industry not only in Rwanda but on the international scene to promote their talent.
The low turn up was the major highlight of the festival in the last edition despite the presence of Ivorian Music legend, Alpha Blondy, on stage.
One Africa Summer Beach Fest
Rubavu-based Kivu Beach, has become a go- to place for party people, especially couples and families who want to have fun on Kivu Beach.
As people fell in love with the place ‘We Are One Summer Beach Fest’ was created and found home at Tam Tam Beach, located on the lakeside town of Rubavu, Western Province.
Since its inception, the annual beach musical extravaganza, lined up a combination of local and regional artistes and DJs.
The Primus Guma Guma Superstar music competition was arguably the biggest music event on the social calendar but has since been postponed until further notice. / File
But after six successful years on the entertainment scene, the show has started to show signs of weakness and irregularities.
DJ Africano, the fest organizer, told Sunday Magazine that the Beach Fest did not take place this year because, "I was in the United States all summer and I had a lot of things to do. So I had to give it a break but we will resume next year”.
Nyama Choma Festival
Four editions were enough for organisers to wave ‘Good Bye’ to Nyama Choma festival, the lone festival that would bring together restaurants that specialize in nyama choma recipes.
The show would not only give visitors a chance to sample the best grilled meat, but also enjoy a variety of fun filled activities throughout the day, but it disappeared since the last show that happened two years ago.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com