By Ziyal Amanya (@ziyalogy)

I’ve notoriously found sneaky ways to avoid Kampala’s outdoor events, especially during the daytime. The idea of navigating crowds or ‘having to fit in’ kept me at home or at more intimate gatherings. However, this past Sunday, a surprise invitation and curiosity led me to attend my first Blankets and Wine.

Turns out, Blankets and Wine is more than just a music festival. It’s also a bit of a communal gathering—think of a happy village square. This edition’s crowd felt just right, with revelers casually strolling around, lovers holding hands, friends lost in animated banter, and cocktails disappearing almost as quickly as they were poured. Both stages, positioned at opposite ends of the grounds, drew sizable attention, but what really caught my eye was how it felt like a hangout for artists, lovers of live music, and art. They mingled in groups, and it wasn’t uncommon to find yourself sharing jokes over drinks with the very voices that dominate your playlists.

Mootownoh on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG

The afternoon kicked off with performances by Andereya Baguma and Mootownoh. Despite their different genres—Andereya is a singer, while Mootownoh is a rapper—they both have cultivated growing fanbases and significant support. Their fans sang along to every line, joined in on the performances, cheered them on, and seemed genuinely happy for them, almost as if they were watching a friend up there. It’s been clear for a while that what sets the new wave acts apart is their approach to collaboration and community. They seem to be having a lot of fun creating together, focusing on the art rather than just commercial success.

Karun on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG/Skyline Media & Management Limited

Regional artists also graced the stage, bringing along their unique sounds. Karun from Kenya performed, formerly part of the hip-hop group Camp Mulla, who were a continental big deal about a decade ago. She’s been making impressive music as a solo artist, but the crowd here seemed unfamiliar with her work. It made me think about the challenges artists face when breaking into neighboring scenes. Despite this, Karun delivered a soulful performance, and I hope that earned her some new fans. Kivumbi King from Rwanda followed, and I thought it’d be interesting hearing him collaborate with The Homie.

Joshua Baraka on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG/Skyline Media & Management Limited

As the night progressed, Joshua Baraka took the stage, delivering several captivating minutes of what he called The Braka Jam Session—a set that kept the crowd literally insane with happiness, even with Kampala’s unpredictable weather. Baraka is evidently a favorite among the new crop of artists. Yes, he’s definitely charmed his way up, but his talent is undeniable. Interestingly, while Baraka was performing hits that have garnered nearly 500,000 monthly streams, his partner DJ Etania was on the other stage, delivering a fiery set of her own. Talk about couple goals.

Blu*3 on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG/Skyline Media & Management Limited

The highlight of the evening came when Blu*3 reunited on stage! The nostalgia! Not even the rain could dampen the moment! They started with solo performances—Lilian Mbabazi exciting us first, followed by Jackie Chandiru, still as energetic as ever, and then Cindy Sanyu, the “King” herself, right before they hit the stage together as the full group.

They ran through their catalog—though only a portion, as they have so many classics. The chemistry among the trio is still strong, and their closeness after all these years is evident. Standing there, awkward on the outside but having the time of my life on the inside, it hit me how much impact these three women have had on our music scene since their debut on Coca-Cola Popstars. Bands like Blu3 have shaped the urban sound we enjoy today, from songwriting to style. Performing “Nsanyuka Nawe” felt like a homage to themselves, one another, and their collective journey—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I keep saying it’s sad how little we have done with the treasure trove of beautiful stories in our entertainment industry because… how do we not have a Blu3 documentary or book yet? Their story is one worth telling!

Blu*3 ended their set with the surprise appearance of Navio, joining them on their hit “Wind It Up.” Like I said, friends hang out.

Sun-El Musician and Simmy then took over, transitioning us into a lively rave with their house beats and immersive effects. It’s impressive to see such a dedicated house music fanbase in Kampala, or am I just late to the party? Amapiano has also been a significant part of Kampala’s nightlife, with DJs like Etania making a name for themselves in this genre. Sun-El and Simmy have smooth chemistry, and she kept the crowd engaged, though not effortlessly. Simmy playfully remarked that fans weren’t giving her the energy she’s used to—I guess from her obviously more energetic crowds back home. I think we were all a bit exhausted by that point.

Over at the DJ stage, talents like AO The Walker, Em That Guy, Flo Moon, Etania, Masaka Masaka, and R3ign Drops kept the energy alive throughout the day.

AKA Dope Band on Stage. © Jamie Empire/The Tribe UG/Skyline Media & Management Limited

AKA Dope band backed the lineup of artists. I recall past experiences at events where live bands were, to put it mildly, less than stellar—often off-key and just not quite it. But I was genuinely blown away by how tone-perfect and on-point this band was. They played flawlessly for hours and kept up with the diverse styles of each performer.

Blankets and Wine might be where artists and fans mingle freely, where lines between performer and audience blur, but it’s also a great way to confront your social anxiety, take risky fashion decisions, and pretend that dancing terribly is a form of artistic expression.

The next edition of Blankets and Wine is scheduled for December 15, 2024.