BETWEEN THE EXIT AND THE STAGE – Green, Loud and the Side Eye

Muwado Ad by Muwado - Africa's Storytelling Platform

I have entered a phase in my life where I want to attend concerts and events. Yes, I am very scared of spaces with many people. It is very scary for me. So even for the few concerts I have gone to, I am not in the centre. I am finding a safety spot somewhere I know there is an exit, and I am usually dragging along a friend with the same interest. Last Saturday was just another concert that I went to, courtesy of my baby, a good break from illness and being indoors.

We had Abeeka Band doing their magic with Roots & Vibes at Ndere Cultural Centre. Was the event successful? Absolutely. With no debate.

For starters, the nature was popping. I guess that is the energy Tusker brings to the space. The moment you took the path to the caves, you felt the green, you smelt the green, you embraced the green. The Tusker was malting. I arrived in time for the concert. 4pm. So I got to hear A Pass do his sound check, and the first thing that came to my mind was, “No wonder I am a fan. He takes his career seriously.” Anyways, let me not get into the fan girling mode.

Security at the entrance. Nice. Hospitable people. Getting tickets, my experience was smooth. The gentleman, Stephan, had a welcoming tone. Beautiful people. We walked down to the first picture area, and pictures were happening. The only problem I had though, which happens at almost every event, is that those taking photos, for some reason, always forget that it is actually a pathway and other people need to pass or keep walking. We could use a little more space awareness.

I walked along the path to the next picture area that was probably strategically placed to remind everyone that vegetarians are missing out on nyama choma. I rarely take photos where I go, so I just passed by that area too and moved to figure out where I was going to sit.

That is when the scenographer in me kicked in. That was when I turned and told those I was going to spend the evening with (Linus and Gloria) that the “Ordinary” space could have been utilised better or set better. Did these guys actually think about how well that space could be used? But then I did not pay for the VIP ticket, so I told the voices in my head to shut up. But then again, at an event, no one is going to remember how good you treated the VIP because they have paid to be treated that way. They will speak about how the ordinary person was treated, and that is what makes it worth the conversation. You will hear people say, we want to see how human you are by the way you treat the least person.

We found our spot, which I can say we found because we are familiar with Ndere Cultural Centre. We got a comfortable spot given the huge number of people that literally could only get space to stand. The bars were well set. The brand ambassadors were smart and knew what to do. Those serving the drinks knew what to do.

Then came the vibe.

So, to clearly state, MC Chris Martin is my highlight for this event. Dress code on point. He understood the assignment. He was so natural and authentic. He was prepped and worked so well with the DJ. Beautiful collaboration there. The fuses he kept making to the beats, the hype, yes, good job.

The female DJ (whose name I cannot seem to remember) did a great job. She had us by the hook. She played us brilliantly.

Then came the second MC, dressed in green and white. He later took off his shirt and remained in a black vest, which I thought was not really necessary. Next time, just wear the vest and hit the stage. Anyways, that is beside the point. Did he do a good job? Fairly. This is probably something I will die on a hill for, but you do not have to sexualize women at events. We could as well just thank everyone for attending. Then there is the pressure for ladies to get up and shake their “bum bums.” My goodness. It becomes disgusting when every time you step on stage, you are sexualizing a particular gender. I remember turning to my neighbors and asking if it could be a trauma response. Was he smart? Yes. Did he have the ability to engage the crowd? Yes. He did well at introducing the artists and the band and their friends.

As for the female MC in an all-white outfit, we could just call it a night, guys. It was a lovely night, but the energy could have been balanced. As MC, you do not have to dance on stage. Give us the hype and we shall dance on your behalf. I remember a guy next to us saying, “she is trying too hard.” The monotony became boring, and at a point, the crowd’s energy went low. You could feel it. With all the music being played, I got to realise that young people love music of the old. Is the new music nice? Yes. But are we still vibing to the old music? Yes. But then music is music, as long as it is organised sound.

The curtain raisers came and clearly undersold themselves or did not take their performances seriously. But one line I clearly remember is from the second performer that stepped on stage: “keep your comments.” That song could potentially be listened to. I cannot lie that I remember the other curtain raisers. The girl from Kabale had a beautiful reggae outfit, good vocals, but she did not do the vocals justice.

The long-awaited moment came, and the Abeeka Band stepped onto the stage. If you have never watched Abeeka Band play reggae music, you do not know how reggae music is played. Abeeka Band played reggae music. We vibed to reggae music. We knew the lyrics. Even those we did not know, we hummed. Those we could not hum, we “ate” the words. But we sang. Splendid performance. Good job on the sound. Talent Africa Group did beautifully on the screens. Ekintu kyabadde kilamu. They were ready for this day.

Then they started bringing out their line-up. First of all, giving me Joanita Kawalya and Racheal Magoola is telling me that you value my time. Very good performances by the ladies. Racheal Magoola is not yet ready to stop whining her waist. The statement was, “I am still as flexible, so do not try me.” After Racheal Magoola came Henry Tigan, who my younger neighbors did not know. The beauty of being born yesterday. Henry Tigan was followed by a number of artists including Kent & Flosso, Bebe Cool, Ziggy D, Daxx Vibes, Levixone, Maurice Kirya, and A Pass. Very nice performances, but the ones that stood out for me from this lot were Maurice Kirya and A Pass.

For the latter, because he was in sync with the band. They rehearsed. He did great. Dressed to perform. Okay, I just have not gotten something negative to say about the good man yet.

For Maurice Kirya, because he involved the band. They were not just playing. He sang with the band vocalist. He did some magic with him. It felt like co-performing. It felt like he was actually a friend, and the vocalist shone.

I think it was a well-chosen line-up. Would it have been arranged better? Yes, so that the MC is not whispering to the band about who is coming next while they are on stage. But it was Roots & Vibes, so maybe the mix was intentional, even when it did not look that way. Now, let us not talk about the musicians who came late and just stepped onto the stage and left after their performances. Very interesting lot.

A really good night. The kind that reminds you why you leave the house even when it is scary, even when your instinct is to stay in your comfort zone. I showed up, found my corner, held onto my people, and allowed myself to experience the moment in my own way, and that counts for something.

The event had its highs and its gaps, its moments of brilliance and its moments that needed a little more thought. But that is the beauty of live experiences. They are never perfect, but they are alive. From the energy of the space, to the effort of the band, to the small details that either elevated or took away from the experience. It all came together to create a night worth remembering.

What stood out for me most is that intention matters. Preparation shows. Authenticity shows. And people can feel when you are present versus when you are just passing through. Abeeka Band understood the assignment. Some artists did too. Some… maybe next time.

But beyond all that, I think I am learning something about myself in this phase. That I can take up space, even if it is from the edges. That I can engage with the world at my own pace and still fully experience it. That joy does not always have to be loud to be real.

It was warm. It was vibrant. It was imperfect. It was worth it.

@UlokcwinyuUbia

Written by

Ulokcwinyu Ubia

A writer and arts administrator

Follow

Did this story move you? Every gift goes directly to Ulokcwinyu Ubia — writers on Muwado earn from reader appreciation, not algorithms. Even $1 makes a difference.

Gift Once Gift Monthly