Since mass social gatherings in Uganda were stopped dead due to Covid-19, the organizers of the famous Nyege Nyege International Music Festival have come up with plans to hold a virtual music experience this year.
The 2020 digital Nyege Nyege event will be held from September 3-6, at a venue to be announced soon and tickets are already available on: www.nyegenyege.com. This will be the sixth edition of this event.
The festival’s digital platform has been created in collaboration with Kenyan artist, cultural pioneer and African Digital Art founder Jepchumba. She has devised a unique interface based on the forest on the Nile that hosts Nyege Nyege.
As stated by the organizers, this year’s edition will combine a Covid-19 safe party with a digital experience, exhibiting music co-curated by 20 collectives from across Africa. The organizers further stated that this year’s virtual Nyege Nyege festival is intended on cooperating with collectives from across the continent to present a pan-African music and art showcase via a digital platform developed by African Digital Art (ADA).
“The festival will explore a combination of a digital experience and in-person event, hosting its signature party in Uganda, while connecting with 25 collectives and many more remote watch parties, all in full compliance with Covid-19 safety measures,” said the organizers.
There is a lengthy line up of artistes that are expected to feature in this year’s virtual Nyege Nyege festival. Among them include Singeli, Mchiriku and Sebene from Tanzania; Dennery Segment from Santa Lucia, Gqom and House from South Africa; Balani from Mali; Coupe Decale from Cote d’Ivoire; Kuduro and Afrohouse from Angola; Gengetone and Metal from Kenya; Elone from Gabon; Hip-hop from Kigali to Ouagadougou and Abidjan and Maloya from Reunion Island.
Enhancing the line-up will also be special displays curated by Sahel Sounds in Niger and Mauritania; Nadah El Shazly in Egypt; LaSunday in Cote d’Ivoire; Sun-El World and Pussy Party in South Africa; Jakaranda Festival in Zimbabwe and Jowaa Asokpor Corner in Ghana.
The organizers of this digital experience will be Violaine Le Fur and will include Cameroonian performance and dance collectives Modaperf, and Zora Snake Compagnie, among others. Principe from Lisbon, Moonshine from Quebec, Jookoo from Barcelona, AS A SS and Al Hara from Palestine will also join the party.
Furthermore, there will also be some live performances from the Ugandan top-tier stars including legendary Afrigo Band, Jose Chameleon, Cindy Sanyu, Fulu Miziki, Ecko Bazz, Duma, Otim Alpha, MC Yallah, HHY and Kampala Unit, Congo Tekno Ensemble, Nakibembe Embaire Troupe, Watmon Group, Nilotika Cultural Ensemble, Kalalu, Maata, Kadodi Troupe and Ekuka.
In addition, there will be a showcase of Kadongo Kamu (traditional Buganda folk music). The Ugandan traditional troupes will be curated by Samuel Kisakye aka Don Zilla. According to the organizers, the event will also feature comedy, fashion, film and digital art. The organizers are optimistic that the virtual Nyege Nyege event will set pace for online events in Uganda.
