Concerts that wowed Ugandans in 2013

What you need to know:

2013 had its fair share of concerts from the newcomers like Rema, to the international stars like Konshens and Alaine. Edgar R. Batte looks at some of the concerts that rocked Kampala.

Myko Ouma’s Season 2 two-day concert

Myko Ouma put up some of the biggest concerts this year, dubbed Myko Ouma Season 2, in September. It was a unique concert because unlike the usual one-day concerts his was a two-day music experience.

At this concert music lovers were excited at the stage performance of Iryn Namubiru and Juliana Kanyomozi, the duo that rocked as I-Jay in 2000 but have since pursued solo projects which fans interpreted as a break-up.

Ouma was at his finest proving he still holds his forte as a gifted guitarist. He performed 17 songs to an audience that was composed of his usual fans and musical friends. On stage he collaborated with Isaiah Katumwa with whom he did Tayinza Kundekawo Yesu. He had his moment with Samuel Bakka, pianist Pragmo Jude Kiracho with whom he performed Kombolewa, Maurice Kirya with whom he did Ugandan Girl, plus saxophone player Brian Mugyenyi with whom he did Smile and Kuku.

Keith Sweat at Nile Gold Jazz Safari

Veteran American Rhythm and blues star Keith Sweat was the main stage performer at this year’s Nile Gold Jazz and Soul Safari this October. The artistes credited for inventing New Jack Swing put up an engaging performance that lasted three hours.

Fans enjoyed Sweat’s stage presence as he sang songs like Twisted, Nobody, I’m Ready, Just A Touch of Love, and the crowd favourite Make it Last Forever, that got many revellers on their feet
The beauty is that Sweat was free, unlike the other international stars that have come to town. Several times he left stage and came to dance with his fans and kept asking them if they were enjoying the show.

The show went on past midnight which is unusual for shows at Kampala Serena Hotel. Revelers were also entertained by prolific saxophonist Tom Braxton, ingenious trumpet player Michael ‘Patches’ Stewart, passionate drummer John Blackwell and guitar maestro Charlie Singleton.

Jose Chameleone live in Badilisha concert

In April Chameleone was on stage, live in the Badilisha concert at Kyadondo Rugby Club. Unlike his previous annual concerts, he made this concert an East African affair and invited Tanzania’s Professor Jay, Kenya’s Redsan and Rwanda’s Jean Paul Samputu and General Samba. Chameleone, the self-styled music doctor, said that his dream is to change the course of the region’s music direction for something more fruitfully challenging.

Perhaps one of his dreams is to end his bickering with fellow musicians. As proof of this, he sang some songs of some of his musical nemeses like Radio & Weasel’s Bread & Butter who he has recently made up with, then Bebe Cool’s Kasepiki and Bobi Wine’s Wendi. He walked his fans through his musical journey that spans over 15 years. One of the outstanding highlights was his stage entry, dressed as an astronaut.

Battle of Champions – Bebe Cool vs Goodlyfe

After four years of a war of words, both verbally and in songs, Bebe Cool and Goodlyfe took to the stage to determine the winner in what was dubbed the ‘Battle of Champions’ music show.
They attracted a full house and the artistes proved to each other that they are have good stage presence to attract the numbers in terms of fans. This was all at Kyadondo Rugby Club.
After the battle, the subsequent news was that both Bebe Cool and Goodlyfe made up, putting their differences behind them and are now friends. In fact they were live in concert, together, on Boxing Day at Kiwatule Recreation Centre.

Konshens and Alaine

In August, Jamaica stars Alaine and Konshens were in Kampala. This was at Lugogo Cricket Oval where the two artistes put up performances. However, before each took to the stage, it was a bad experience for the revellers accessing the grounds. There was commotion as organisers and the security failed to manage entrances to the venue.

But when her time came to perform Alaine put up a good performance as she sang her songs like For Your Eyes Only and Nakupenda Pia her collaboration with Kenya’s Wyre.
The fans reacted by singing-along and dancing to the music. When she was done, Konshens came on at 11pm in a suit. As he performed his songs like Do sumn, Gyal Bubble, Sidung, Gal Dem a Talk and Couple Up among others, the crowd ululated in response.

Konshens was visibly thrilled. He tried to sing all his songs and was careful not to sing out those with vulgar lyrics and those tracks with anti-gay chants.

Juliana Kanyomozigetting up close and personal

After six years without holding a concert, Juliana Kanyomozi this year held a concert titled Up, Close & Personal at Kampala Serena Hotel.
She kicked off the concert with one of her break-out hits Nabikoowa, which she belted with grace and poise.

The crowd was big and she was appreciative. “Thanks so, so much for coming. It means a lot to me. I am so grateful,” Kanyomozi said.
She sent special thanks to Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikiro (Prime Minister) of Buganda Kingdom.

Seated with Mayiga was Hope Mukasa the gentleman that gave Juliana a stage to cut her musical teeth in the 1990s.

Also present was Afrigo Band’s Moses Matovu with whom Kanyomozi performed her 2009 hit Gutuke. She also performed with saxophonist Brian Mugenyi. She did two hours of stage performances.

Eddie Kenzo’s Kamunguluze concert

It is big artistes that normally hold concerts at Kyadondo Rugby Club. Eddy Kenzo took a big leap this year and held his Kamunguluze concert at that venue. He attracted a sizable crowd.
“I would like to thank all of you for turning up in such big numbers. I was afraid you would not come but glad and grateful you have come,” an excited Kenzo told revellers as he started his performance.

One of his fans and chief guest was trade minister Amelia Kyambadde. In the crowd were socialites and businessmen and women like Ssalongo Kasawuli of Samona Products and Bulaimu Kibirige alias BMK of Hotel Africana.

Maurice Kirya’s Book of Kirya

His was a sell-out, a moment he enjoyed. Maurice Kirya was live in a concert in July at Kampala Serena Hotel. It was a professionally done concert that lasted 90 minutes and when it was over he said adieu. By 9:30pm revellers were leaving at leisure after enjoying a spirited performance from the artiste who was unveiling his latest album titled The Book of Kirya.

This was unlike our usual shows which sometimes stretch to the wee hours of the morning. Kirya lived up to expectations. He came, entertained and utilised his time on stage to engage his fans.

The R’n’B singer rocked the crowd, putting emotion into his performance. He was accompanied by a live band. Even though he was unveiling a new album he also performed songs from his maiden album titled Misubawa.

Rema live in Kukaliba concert

She wowed fans in her first show. Her fame rests on songs like Kukaliba, the title of her concert that was held in October. Overwhelmed 23-year-old Rema shed tears on stage at Hotel Equatoria parking space, the venue of the concert.

She asked, “Who am I to attract such a crowd? What can I do to thank you?” In answer, the crowd screamed, “Bring Kenzo on stage!” She performed songs that have been hits this year, including Oli Wange, Sitaki and Fire Tonight.

Rema who left Gagamel Entertainment Crew headed by Bebe Cool maintained that despite her differences with Cool he is still her mentor. “I would like to thank Bebe Cool for making me what I am today,” she said.