When BARE Sessions first emerged in 2023, it was an experiment, one born from an unexpected challenge that turned into a creative breakthrough. Kenyan founder and artist June Gachui, reflecting on her own album launch struggles, discovered a new way to experience live music which was free from the rigid constraints of studio recordings, and reimagined through live performance. What began as a proof-of-concept has now blossomed into one of Nairobi’s most intimate and innovative live music experiences.
A brainchild of JGIP Events, who have been producing live music experiences for more than 10 years, BARE Sessions are thematically distinct. A BARE Session provides a unique musical showcase that delivers a deeply intimate connection between performers and the audience. At the BARE Sessions, artists engage in what June Gachui calls genre-bending and storytelling. They get a chance to commune with a small group of listeners, and perform their original music, reimagined by a set of arrangers. Held exclusively at the National Museums of Kenya’s amphitheater in Nairobi with a circular seating arrangement that brings the audience closer to the stage, the atmosphere is intimate. Add to that mix carefully engineered sound, fine-tuned to enrich every performance and you get a setting that draws the audience closer and deeper into the experience.
The first BARE Sessions season featured 3 amazing Kenyan artists; Chemutai Sage, Sanaipei Tande and Wyre The Lovechild. Their music was arranged by a set of honed producers and artists including Eric Musyoka, David Hunter, George Nyoro, Joe Were, Eddie Grey, and Amani Baya. Each session was an immersive delight for the senses, with rich vocals, dynamic instrumentation, and captivating storytelling coming together to create a lingering experience.
The Delagates Edition
Season 2 started on high, with musical arrangement doubly held by renowned Kenyan artist Ciano Maimba and producer Freddie “Dillie” Wang’ombe. This show featured Kenyan pop sensation Dela, known for hits such as Mafeelings, Third Party Lover, Adabu, and Mama Papa featuring Sauti Sol. Dela alternated between live band-backed music performances and right in the feels interludes and stories. Experiencing Dela live in performance was a delight for her fans, whom she fondly calls ‘Delagates’, and who cheered her on and encouraged her to stay active in the live music scene (watch this space for more from her in 2025).
During her performance, Dela kept the energy high with unexpected collaborations, inviting surprise guests such as Gaza on Nairobi Love, H_art the Band on Adabu, and Dr Reign on Mafeelings.
Beyond the music itself, BARE Sessions has cultivated a space where artists and audiences can meet authentically. Stripped of elaborate staging, each performance becomes an unfiltered exchange of emotion, storytelling, and artistry. For the artists, it’s an opportunity to reimagine their craft in an intimate setting, while for the audience, it’s a chance to engage with music in a way that feels deeply personal and profoundly moving. Attendees are an integral part of the BARE Sessions, and not just passive spectators.
Next BARE Session
It’s a one night affair, and attendance is limited. For anyone unlucky enough to miss the live show, recorded performances are later released on YouTube. However, the live show offers an unmatched level of closeness and spontaneity that cannot be fully captured on video. The next edition, set for May, promises an exciting headliner: Kenyan music icon Jua Cali. With the BARE Sessions crew known for their unique approach to live performance experiences, it will be interesting to see how they reimagine Jua Cali’s sound in this intimate setting. If you haven’t experienced a BARE Session yet, this might be the perfect time to start.
