American R&B star Ne-Yo performed at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Mashujaa Day, Tuesday, October 20, in a show dubbed One Night Only: Brunch Edition. It was his first headline concert in Kenya in 11 years.
A sold-out comeback
The concert drew a full house, with tickets ranging from KSh 15,000 for Gold access to KSh 40,000 for Platinum. Cheaper early-bird Gold tickets, along with individual Platinum seats, had sold out weeks before the show.
The premium section was reportedly packed on the night.
Speaking on Classic 105’s morning show, Radio presenter Maina Kageni said the crowd showed that money was not an issue for many concertgoers.
“People have money, especially the KSh 40,000 segment; it was very full. So I hear you guys say that there is no money in Kenya. Be specific; it is you who doesn’t have money.”
Maina’s remarks came as he and co-host King’ang’i discussed the show a day after it took place.
Radio hosts weigh in
The concert was the talk of Classic 105’s morning show the day after, as Maina Kageni and King’ang’i discussed the timing of the performance.
King’ang’i said Ne-Yo was already on stage by 7pm, while the sun was still going down. Maina confirmed the singer had finished by 9pm.
He joked that the 9pm news bulletin had not even started when the set ended.
King’ang’i then compared the timing with the stamina of Kenyan performers.
“Do you know that Ken Wa Maria is usually told that by midnight, it is still early for him to leave? Kativui similarly performs as late as 3 am, and at that time, people are still arriving at the event because it is a party till dawn. Do you know what that means? That is until the sun comes up.”
Maina was quick to note that audiences do not expect the same from a global star as they do from a local artiste.
“If Ne-Yo were to do what Mwalimu is saying, they would stone him. He only does one and a half hours, and he is done.”
Kenyans weigh in
Fans weighed in on social media with mixed reactions to the debate:
@kish_lizz._: “Nilifika huko na the meme that was ringing in my head the whole day ni ‘the economy is doing wonderfully’ 😂😂”
@njerifiona: “Aki mwalimu hushtuka daily 😂😂”
@sunny_kemmy: “Actually 6.30 😃”
@jamessala254: “True, maina sina pesa”
