To say last Saturday’s Road Show in Rubavu District was exhilarating would be an understatement. It was a full-length concert with unassailable performances.

Thousands gathered at Kivu Serena’s beach to witness the biggest roadshow ever in the country that attracted over 20,000 people, including from Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The evening’s performance started off with a bouncy dance introduction specially geared towards the young audience coupled with a modelling competition by three beauties.

The three girls were randomly picked from the audience by MCs Tino and Anita, who together with spin master, DJ Bisoso, kept the crowd on their feet throughout the show.

Dr. Claude was the first artiste on stage. He wowed the crowd with his renditions of ‘Contre success’, ‘Igikara’ and ‘Baramujanye.’  Faycal also electrified the crowd with his covers of ‘Nshuti’, ‘Impeta’ and ‘Uranzi.’

The singer impressed the crowd when he asked a girl from the audience to join him on stage and later asked her for a peck before she left the stage.

"Oh dear, Faycal is so handsome and he has a great voice,” Emmerance Uwera, 21, said with a big smile on her face.

Rafiki, alias Coga Style; received a standing ovation from the crowd and many vowed to vote for him.

The laughter and cheers of people filled the venue, as they enjoyed the performances from each artiste. The crowd’s shouts of approval reent the air throughout many of the performances during the show.

The audience participation is a must when you want to engage the crowd and this is exactly what most artistes did, including Dr. Claude.

He asked a male fan to get on stage and boy, he did a great job. He delivered great dance moves which spiced up the singer’s performance.

King James, who seemed to enjoy himself on stage as he sang his Zouk hit, ‘Narashize’ had a good show that was rewarded with a round of applause from the excited audience. 

In a melodramatic gig, Tom Close proved to Rubavu’s music fans why he scooped the Salax Awards 2010 Best Male Artist title. He gave a lively rendition of ‘Maama Wabana Bange’, which left the jubilant crowd wound up.

Urban Boyz performed a whimsical dance using white towels giving a colourful performance, whilst the Dream Boyz, too, gave a brilliant performance and audience vowed to vote for them.

Lucky fans at the concert won prizes, which included Primus Guma Guma T-shirts and caps, courtesy of Bralirwa. After the concert, the artistes were hosted at ‘Kwa Nyanja’ nightclub for the ‘After Party.’

Earlier in the day, artistes and the Primus Guma Guma Road Show crew were given aguided tour of the Bralirwa Gisenyi plant by Methode Muyombana, the Assistant Administrator, who briefed them on the company’s history and its products.

At the show, people enjoyed Primus at a promotional price of Rwf500 (for two Petit Primus), instead of Rwf400 (for one).

Sven-Erik Piederiet, the Managing Director of Bralirwa ltd said:  "It’s really encouraging to see an increasing number of artistes in the country. By the time I came to Rwanda there were only few but they are now many. I believe artistes can use their talents to become better people.”

On Sunday, the road show was held in Musanze District

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