Night of music, fashion and poetry at Kenya railways museum: PHOTOS
Idd Aziz (with guitar) with his father Ku ... nd Owuor Arunga (red jacket) during their act. PHOTO| THOMAS RAJULA
What you need to know:
Red Light District was set up like an Arabian street café, and models would come out showcasing extreme fashion by eccentric designer Gigi Helper. And true to definition was only illuminated by red lights.
The Confession Room, had poet Alexander Ikawah from Jalada taking confessions, and writing up poems for penance.
“Off the rails”, as a phrase, means to go out of your mind, and what the guys at Up Magazine put together at Kenya Railways Museum on Saturday, 11 July, was literally mind-blowing.
The antique locomotive storage yard, was transformed into an artistic expression of music, poetry and décor, with UP Live 4: Off the Rails. Personally, not having been to see the museum in its original form, I was so impressed by work that went into setting up the scene for the most unique event I’ve been to.
CONFESSION, ANYONE?
The organisers used the steam engines, the tracks and the shed as to come up with different sections of the party: Red Light District, Ciroc Bar, Confession Room, and VIP Room.
Red Light District was set up like an Arabian street café, and models would come out showcasing extreme fashion by eccentric designer Gigi Helper. And true to definition was only illuminated by red lights.
The Confession Room, had poet Alexander Ikawah from Jalada taking confessions, and writing up poems for penance.
When it came to live music, the performers brought on their A-game. Idd Aziz and Afro Simba Band’s fusion of the Mijikenda, and other authentic African, and oriental sounds creates an almost hypnotic sensation. Joined later by Owuor Arunga on his set, Idd paid homage to his father, Kunya Aziz, for being his inspiration throughout his life and musical journey.
SPECTACULAR SONG ARRANGEMENT
Guinean Sekou Kouyate’s moniker as the Jimmy Hendrix of kora, the enthusiast found out first hand, is not an exaggeration. Kora is the harp-like instrument used extensively in West Africa. Though most of his songs are in French, which is his main language of communication, the composition and arrangement of his songs are universally spectacular. The kora solos were as good as those of any prolific guitarist, and he was accompanied by Kenya’s prime guitarist, Benjamin Kabeseke.
Kaya Collective have as diverse a band as can be found anywhere. The lead of the band is British, the guitarist is Palestinian, while the rest of the band is Kenyan. They also have a beatboxer, and they do funk, jazz, hip hop and reggae genres of music. Their most memorable performance of the night was a track titled “Beirut” which mostly talks about making love work in difficult situations.
To cap off the night Deejay Kali from Berlin showed us how they party in Germany. I am definitely looking forward to the next one.
