Kenyans flocked to Laureate Gardens, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, for the September 2025 edition of Blankets & Wine, a festival that once again proved why it holds a special place in East Africa’s live music scene. The event drew thousands of revelers for a night of music, culture, and unforgettable performances.
The spotlight shone brightest on Grammy Award-winning Nigerian sensation Tems, who headlined the main stage in a flowing white two-piece suit paired with elegant jewelry. From the moment she stepped on stage, her commanding presence and powerful vocals had the crowd roaring. She performed fan favorites, including Love Me Jeje, Burning, Wickedest, Free Fall, Crazy Tings, and Free Mind, each met with screams and cheers that echoed across the venue.
Midway through her performance, Tems paused to share heartfelt words with the audience. “I love you guys. This is the most energy I have received in Africa. Will you guys adopt me?” she asked, sending the crowd into frenzy. She playfully added, “I want to move to Kenya; I want to stay here. I might even find a boo here,” fueling even louder cheers.
What made Tems’ performance so special for fans?
Beyond her powerful setlist, Tems connected with the crowd on a personal level. She stepped off stage to join fans mid-song and highlighted one festival-goer who impressed everyone by singing along word for word. Her energy, smiles, and effortless interaction left many describing the night as unforgettable.
Online reactions came in fast as videos and photos flooded social media. Mukasa commented, “Now this is the value for money.” Sarah Cherono admired her style, posting, “Aki Tems dresses so well.” Clarkson kept it simple: “I enjoyed every bit of this event.”
Not everyone was pleased, though. Some fans criticized the organizers for poor sound and delays. @Kendi_PN noted, “Blankets in a nutshell: Terrible service, Bad sound, Too big a crowd. Should’ve gotten an MC. At some point, the stage was empty for 1 hr, and the crowd didn’t know wassup.”
The night was far from a solo show. Ugandan star Joshua Baraka delivered a fiery performance, later joined by Kenyan artist Bien, whose surprise entrance in black leather sent the crowd into overdrive. Other highlights included We Are Nubia, Zaituni, Flier, Billy Black, Toxic Lyrikali, and Chimano. The OnjaOnja stage showcased rising acts like Akoth Jumadi, Ite, Ghedi, Santa, Hiribae, Bune, Coco Khai, Mr Lu, and DJ Paps.
Even with a few organizational missteps, the September edition of Blankets & Wine reaffirmed its reputation as East Africa’s premier festival, blending international stardom with homegrown artistry in a way that fans described as pure magic.
By Modester Nasimiyu
