Returning to its scenic riverside Nile Discovery beach in Jinja, the annual MTN Nyege Nyege Music festival will attract at least 300 local and international artistes, producers and DJs from Uganda, Africa and Europe.
Uganda will showcase the best of her traditional musical heritage with musicians including Electro Kadodi producers from Mbale, Acholi DJs from Gulu and a who-is-who of Kampala’s music community.
This was announced at a fully packed launch party at Design Hub in Bugolobi organised by Bell Lager and Uganda Waragi. Those from South Africa include Sho Madjozi, Rude Boyz, Dominowe and Phatstoki, folk/funk diva Zetina Mosia and underground electro producers Sleeping Buddah.
The Tanzanian line-up will feature the cream of the Singeli scene of Dar es Salaam, including the ‘Godmother of Singeli’ Rehema Tahiri for an exclusive performance, as well as Jagwa Music troupe and Gogo multi-instrumentalist Msafiri Zawose.
Tuareg rock band Etran de l’Air will leave Niger for the first time to perform at MTN Nyege Nyege. Kenya will be represented by L’Orchestre Les Mangelepa, considered to be from the golden era of Kenyan Lingala.
Going by the turnout at the launch, this year’s Nyege Nyege is billed to be the biggest. In fact to maximise the fun, the festival has been extended to run for four days from September 6 to 9. The festival will kick off on Thursday and finish Monday morning when the last DJ pulls the plug.
“Nyege Nyege is a unique music festival attracting a vibrant audience from Uganda and the world at large. Year on year, the festival has grown in strength and we are pleased to have been part of this journey for the past three years. We have made a commitment to this activity for the next three years and are confident that it will deliver guaranteed unique experiences with Bell Jamz and Uganda Waragi as partners,” said Agaba Tumusiime, the brand manager of Uganda Waragi.
In addition, the festival has birthed Nyege Nyege regional experiences in Gulu, Arua, Mbarara and Entebbe. Organisers have also expanded the camping grounds to make better provisions for the growing Nyege Nyege audience.
Early-bird tickets are available at a discounted price of Shs 120,000 for a limited time only while regular tickets will go for Shs 150,000.
Since its start, Nyege Nyege has written the rulebook for alternative entertainment merged with Ugandan beauty, food, fashion and culture through a combination of fun, great bites and cinematic live performances.
Going by the energetic performance from Gato Preto and several Ugandan performers at the launch, all roads will lead to Jinja for the four days Nyege Nyege plans on taking over the eastern Uganda town.
Via: http://www.observer.ug/
