Over 20 artistes including graduates and students of Rwanda School of Creative Arts and Music, formerly known as Nyundo School of Music lit up Kigali Up Music Festival that was held on Saturday night at French Institute.

This year's edition was organised to showcase music made in Rwanda, give a platform to new talents on the rise, promote live music in the country and present the achievements of the school .

Despite the low turn up at the concert, different local bands and artistes on the line up ensured it was a memorable night for those who attended.

The show started at 3:30 pm with fast rising artiste Shami, entertaining revellers with his piano skills.

He was followed by Ibihame, Shauku Band, 40 students School Choir which only used vocals and piano in their performance, and the percussion assemble, a group of eight percussionists who impressed the audience with just drums and other percussion instruments.

The event host, Ange Umulisa, and different disc jockeys kept the crowd entertained in between.

At exactly 7:30 pm, Karigombe, one of the fast rising rappers in Kigali took over the stage and performed his hit songs including, ‘Hamba Muri Roho’ among others.

The young rapper proved to many who attended to show that the hip hop genre has a large fan base than any other genre in the country.

Igor Mabano, renowned music producer and singer, took to the stage at 9:30 pm and gave his fans a night to remember. He performed most of his hit songs such as ‘Energy’, ‘Yari wowe’, Iyo Utegereje,' among others. 

Different artistes that performed at the concert welcomed the innovation ar the annual event, of giving a platform to new talents, saying that it will uplift Rwandan music industry.

"Some of us struggle to get gigs or other platforms to showcase our talents. With more events like Kigali Up, new talents are going to be discovered and push Rwandan music to another level,” upcoming artiste Shami said.

According to Jacques Muligande, best known as Mighty Popo, more festivals that are in line with giving platforms to new hidden talents especially the ones at Rwanda School of Creative Arts and Music are highly needed in the country to boost the local music scene.

Muligande who is also principal director of  the school called more young musicians to join the school which is producing some of the best players in Rwanda’s music industry.

The school was established in 2014 to promote and professionalise music and art industry in Rwanda. It has nurtured many artistes, including Igor Mabano, Ariel Wayz, Makemba, to mention a few.