Nyege Nyege announces 2020 festival lineup with Slikback, Kampire
The Ugandan festival announced its move to digital earlier this year, and now they’re divluging some of the details. The 96-hour event will broadcast online across four nights on a new ongoing platform (designed by Jepchumba from African Digital Art) which will seek to support and publish “cutting-edge Afrocentric content” and build community outside of corporate or institutional funding.
The festival will be free of charge to virtually attend, with optional memberships for people who want to support the endeavour. It will also air on Uganda’s TV NBS station.
Audiences can pre-register at the Nyege Nyege website to receive updates and also gain access to “VIP experiences” and special “hidden rooms” on the Nyege Nyege platform. You can find the registration at the official Nyege Nyege website.
The focus of the festival this year is largely on African and disapora artists, with Nyege Nyege staples Kampire, MC Yallah, Rey Sapienz, Afrorack, HHY & The Kampala Unit, Bonaventure and others all appearing on the lineup.
Other collectives from around Africa and the world will host their own shows and stages as part of the festival, including a Singeli showcase from Tanzania, crews from Kenya (Shrap Nite), Ivory Coast (La Sunday), Mali (Radio Benbakan x Diaki Discotheque), South Africa (Pussy Party), Durban (Mzansi Gqom Sho’case featuring DJ Lag), Egypt (Egyptian Leather Pavilion with ZULI) and many more. Outside off Africa, Príncipe from Portugal, Moonshine from Canada and Radio Alhara will host showcases, among plenty of othe groups.
There’s also a comprehensive film program, fitness classes and a Ugandan traditional music showcase.
In lieu of the regular festival that takes place in Jinja, Nyege Nyege will send “party packages” via boda boda taxis to attendees, which include restaurant vouchers, masks, T-shirts and even bartenders and hair stylists. There will also be a small, invite-only event on the outskirts of Kampala that will follow “strict Covid-secure procedures.” Online viewers will be able to watch that party if they find a “magic key” on the website.
Watch a trailer for the festival.
For the full lineup, check out the event listing below.
