The biggest concerts that shook up 2023

The year 2023 has had its fair share of concerts that will live rent free in the minds of Ugandans.

The Youth Blitz looks at some of them.

Spice Dianah’s Siri Regular

Singer Dianah Namukwaya, better known as Spice Diana begun the year 2023 on a high with her ‘Siri Regular’ concert that proved she is a force to reckon with in Uganda’s music industry.

Dubbed ‘Siri Regular’ off her song that had seen her enjoy a ride on the music charts, the singer sought to reward her fans for the support with his fourth concert of her seven-year music career.

The talented singer left many of her fans yearning for more as she proved she is not your regular musician.

Jose Chameleone

In March, Ugandan legendary artist, Joseph Mayanja, popularly known as Jose Chameleone organized a successful Gwanga Mujje concert.

Coined out of a phrase literally translated as “come all”, Chameleone’s concert was meant to be organized in February but on the d-day, heavy rains that also had a storm blew away the stage.

The singer consequently postponed the concert to a later date.

Whereas many, especially critics thought the concert would flop, Chameleone proved he is still Uganda’s number one after Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala was filled to capacity.

As if that was not enough, the pencil thin sized and hoarse voiced singer put up an eclectic live performance that left fans yearning for more.

Mid performance, Chameleone applauded his fans for standing with him through thick and thin most especially after the first concert was postponed.

He took off time to scoff at his critics.

“I am a testimony. I should be dead but I am alive. So don’t intimidate me. I am Joseph and you should let me live,” the singer said.

Azawi’s Sankofa

Singer Priscilla Zawedde best known as Azawi had an unforgettable night and experience at Kampala Serena Hotel as she launched her new album, Sankofa in October.

Coming into concert, the 26 year old singer, signed to Swangz Avenue, had just released a  17-track album featuring several artistes including Elijah Kitaka, Sauti Sol, Konshens, Ben Soul, and Mike Kayihura.

Serena  Hotel was therefore the venue to unveil the album to her fanbase that has been expectant.

The concert lived to its billing as the singer who made her breakthrough in January 2020 continued to stamp her presence in Uganda’s music industry.

Azawi  performed a mix of new and old songs and for an album released just a few weeks back the audience already seemed familiar with every song.

“I wanted Sankofa to be different because every song on this album is a story about my life experiences. I have been the most vulnerable to my fans on this album,” Azawi said.

The concert left an indelible mark in the hearts of her fans.

Cindy, Sheebah battle

This was yet another show that Ugandans will forever remember as it brought down Kololo Independence grounds.

The two musicians Cinderella Sanyu also known as Cindy and Sheebah Karungi aka Sheebah put up a memorable first ever female musician battle .

What had started five years back as a provocation came to pass as both singers shared the same stage to show their mettle.

With the rules of engagement set, it was a strictly live band music show. Each singer had 20 minutes in the first three sessions before each being given two songs for the last sessions as battle lines were drawn.

The fans wore t-shirts and carried placards with pictures of their respective artists as they thronged Kololo to witness the biggest music battle between the female musicians.

The battle was not only on the stage but also on social media where fans from the two camps argued on who was better than the other.

At the end of the battle, there was no definite winner as each camp claimed the win.

Many said the concert should be organized again so that they can properly determine the winner.

Geo Steady

At Hotel Africana, Geo Steady, real names Kigozi George had a year he live to remember as his concert left many yearning for more.

The self-proclaimed ‘Blackman’ didn’t leave his fans the same as he sang all his songs including Viola which introduced him to the music scene, Tokendeeza, Owooma, Same Way, Wakyuka, Amiina and Njagala Gwe.

The fans could not help but sing out loud along every word of the song as they cheered on his mesmerizing performance.

Excitement, glamour and love filled the concert as the crowd attested to the singer’s musical prowess.

Aziz Azion

Organising his first concert in 12 years, Aziz Azion didn’t leave Kampala Serena Hotel the same as his “Strings of Love” concert mended many people’s hearts.

The singer who is also a guitar maestro took fans down the memory lane with his hits including Yegwe, Nakupenda, Ndi Wuwo , Nzikiriza, Oxygen, Gwe Nsonga and Pain Killer among others but in all these these hits, Azion serenaded the audience, evoking love memories.

The performance threw fans into frenzy cheers with many occasionally and passionately singing along.

The 2010 hit of Nkumira Omukwano saw everyone take to his feet to not only dance but also feel the real meaning of love as Azion asked lovers to keep their love ones’ love.

It was good food for the ears as was the entire concert.

Kenneth Mugabi

Many had not known Kenneth Mugabi’s music prowess but his ‘People of the Land’ concert at Serena Hotel stamped his place in many people’s hearts.

Having not headlined many concerts, November 24 was Mugabi’s day to show his mettle, and just as one would think, he didn’t disappoint.

All the songs on the day evoked love emotions among Mugabi’s fans, many of whom could not help but fall in love.

Many opined this was a rebirth of Mugabi’s career whereas others insisted the concert made him stamp his authority on Uganda’s music industry.

King Saha

Singer, Mansour Ssemanda also known as King Saha capped the year on a high with his ‘Ebiseera Ebyo’ concert that left Hotel Africana yearning for more.

The singer who had not had many concerts showed it was worth it, as he showed his mettle.

Fans who started queuing up as early as 4pm in order to access the concerts queued up to 200 metres from the venue and when they finally entered, many were seen fidgeting for spaces at the venue, trying to find the best spot to catch the show.

The singer had a memorable concert that left many singing King Saha’s name.