AfroVasha, a 2 day music event slated for the long Jamhuri weekend the 11th December all the way to the 12th December went down at the Lake Naivasha resort with an aim of bringing music outside the city. The star studded event had invited Tanzania and Kenya musicians. Alikiba and Harmonize from Bongo land. OtileBrown, Nameless, Wahu, Arrow Bwoy and Will Paul among others on the Kenyan side.
Kenyans are keen to enjoy a party on a long weekend and discuss and show its aftermath on the socials especially Facebook and IG. However, this event has elicited mixed reactions on the interwebs and rumor has it that the event was a flop.
But what could have led to its failure? An event had sparked public interest following the posters spread on all social media platforms way before the d-date? With popular Tanzanian and Kenyan artists expected to perform?
Well, prominence was on the Tanzanian artists which doomed the event with many calling it a flop even before its onset. Well, for starters, the mode of communication about the event was said to be belittling to the Kenyan artists.
Celebrities and Kenyans alike were citing their disapproval for the lack of patriotism on the event. Comedian Eric Omondi insisted that the event should be a headline reserve for Kenyan artists. Eric, who has of late been advocating for pure and quality Kenyan to promote the industry said this was a let down to the Kenyan music industry. This might have discouraged people to hype the event.
The picture depicted in the posters were also seen to highlight the Tanzanian artists while making the Kenyan artists appear unpopular. This might have prompted their fans to disregard the event and choose to attend to other engagements elsewhere.
Furthermore, the fact that the Kenyan artists were not given the king style reception and interviews could also have contributed to the show turning to a fail. The sponsors went way above their means to give Alikiba and Harmonize a warm royal reception without bothering to involve the local artists.
The event’s organizers also had a hand in the flopping of the event especially on the first day. For instance, at the beginning of Kiba’s performance, he was requesting for sound amplification which was not forthcoming and forced him to sing while appearing to strain.
The low turnout especially on the first day also contributed to the flopping of the event. Even though the event envisioned to be a show stopper, the first day started rather slowly which made the event rated below the average.
Some critics have also cited that the Tanzanian artist Harmonize did not give an electric performance. Fans have been complaining that his act was not at per with their hopes. Videos doing rounds online show him struggling to dance which killed the act.
Despite all these shortcomings and the event labeled a major flop, it has highlighted the problems the next event should avoid.
