Blankets & Wine took its June 7 edition indoors this year, moving its Main Stage to the Kasarani Indoor Arena. The Onja Onja Stage moved to the Annex next door. SoftLife also moved indoors, into its own lounge space.
The change came down to weather. Nairobi’s rains had been unpredictable all through production week. Festival founder Muthoni Ndonga said the team watched the forecast closely and decided not to take chances. Rain was forecast across the whole weekend. The festival didn’t want fans sitting out in the cold, nor the artists performing to empty space because everyone ran for cover.
The arena added proper seating, working restrooms, tighter security, better lighting, and sound. The Onja Onja Market moved to the balcony and the parking lot, so that part of the festival kept its usual energy.
The Main Stage lineup ran deep with Labdi opening the night. Mordecai Dex and Serro followed and kept the crowd moving. Nigerian artist Fave performed her hits to a strong response. Mejja and Mutoriah brought their usual crowd-pleasing sets.
Watendawili closed the night. Charisma and Xeniah Manasseh joined them on stage as surprise guests with the crowd singing along to the very end.
The Onja Onja Stage ran its own program in the Annex as well, with South African DJ Goldmax playing a high-energy set. The night ended with a three-way set from Suraj, LA Dave, and Hiribae.
The June edition also marked the launch of “Your Taste Lives Here.” This is Blankets & Wine’s year-long campaign built around Kenyan music, food, fashion, and community. The idea behind it is that taste is about identity, not money.
The Onja Onja Market brought together food vendors, fashion brands, and small creative businesses. Brand Manager Michelle Njeri said the team was glad to see people exploring and supporting local vendors throughout the day.
Blankets & Wine is now in its 17th year, produced by GoodTimes Africa. The festival has grown from a small picnic gathering in 2008 into one of the region’s biggest music events, with editions in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and the UK.
Two more editions are planned for this year. One is set for September 6, the other is set for December 20. The June edition proved the festival can adapt without losing what makes it work. See you in the next edition.
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