Growing up in the heart of Nairobi, I harbored a childhood dream that involved me, a crowd of lively revelers, and the infectious beats of a live music concert – a dream seemingly grand, etched on my bucket list. The anticipation lingered until the day I found myself immersed in the euphoria of a concert, and that experience sparked my fascination for the diverse cultural events held across Kenya. Among these occasions are music events that offer unique experiences and in the process of doing so, make a case for themselves as events that one should attend at least once in their lifetime. Here are 5 of those Kenyan music events.
Blankets And Wine
Blankets and Wine is a picnic-style music event designed to showcase Afro-centric music. It was conceptualized by Muthoni The Drummer Queen in 2008. Held as a quarterly event series, Blankets and Wine has gone to birth iterations in other East African countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, and Malawi. Some of the musical acts that have performed at Blankets and Wine over the years include Kenya’s Sauti Sol, Elani and Nyashinski, South Africa’s Micasa and Mafikizolo, and American singer and Songwriter Aloe Blacc, among others. This coming month on 17th December, another edition of Blankets and Wine will be held at the Laureate Garden, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The December 2023 edition will feature performances by Bien, Muthoni Drummer Queen, Nigerian singer and songwriter Nonso Amadi, Congolese rumba, and soukous singer/songwriter Mbilia Bel, Sofiya Nzau, Maandy, Njerae and Watendawili. Early bird tickets are retailing at KSh 3000.
Jameson Connects Kenya
Jameson Connects Kenya is a hip hop event that brings together hip hop headliners, emcees, hip-hop turntablists and jockeys, for a fun-filled night in Kenya once a year.
Organised by Irish Whiskey giants Jameson, under its parent company Penord Ricard, this event has in the past featured hip hop acts such as American singer, songwriter and record producer Ty Dolla $ign, the pioneer of trap music T.I, Stefflon Don alongside DJs such as DJ Maphorisa, DJ Envy, Musa Keys, Charlie Sloth and Mannie Fresh among others. After taking a 3-year break during the pandemic, Jameson Connects returned to its usual annual schedule in 2022, hosting its 7th edition.
Gondwana
Gondwana is the child of Kenya’s first ever Afro-house label, Gondwana KE, which was founded by Suraj Mandavia and Eugene Onyango. The label’s music events, eponymously named Gondwana by attendees, are among the most popular in the Kenyan party scene. Usually studded with prolific Afro-House DJs, Gondwana music events are held on occasion, with monthly editions and also weekly events series.
The Gondwana KE label has also grown and gone to host Afro-house events in countries across the continent such as Ethiopia, Zambia, Nigeria and in the country with the most consumers of house music in the world, South Africa. Attending a Gondwana event is considered one of the best experiences one can have while exploring the Kenyan and African music scene.
Beneath The Baobabs Festival
Formerly known as Kilifi New Year, the annual Beneath The Baobabs Festival is a 3-day festival usually held between 30th December and 1st January each year at the source of the Takaungu Creek in Kilifi’s baobab forest.
Each year Beneath the Baobabs festival celebrates Kenyan music, art, and culture, bringing together some of the best established and emerging East African & International music acts, across genres that range from Afro-House, Electronic Music to Hip Hop. This year’s edition will feature artists such as Fabian Krooss, professional DJ, producer, and filmmaker Coco Em, Kaa La Moto, Tim Garcia, Mau From Nowhere, and several others.
Nairobi International Jazz Festival
Every year during the Nairobi International Jazz Festival, jazz aficionados get the chance to celebrate jazz music culture and as well as discover new, upcoming jazz musicians.
Over its course, the festival has seen top jazz acts perform such as The Nairobi Horns Project, the Kavutha Mwanzia Trio, the Jacob Asiyo Quartet, AfroSync Band, Kasiva Mutua and her ensemble, Wazito Band and also international acts such as 62-year-old renowned South African jazz musician Jonathan Butler who headlined the 2023 edition held on October 28th at Bomas of Kenya.
