Long wait for Joshua Baraka peaks with Bien, Maya Amolo & Mr. Tee

No doubt Blankets & Wine is Kenya's most popular music festival. Not only for the live experience but also for the "little" things - security, inclusivity, fashion, and Kenyan music.

Muthoni Drummer Queen and the team at GoodTimes Africa have nurtured the festival through various phases, including a hiatus, arriving at a product that this year debuted in Bradford, the 2025 UK city of culture.

“Blankets & Wine has always been intentional about creating space for artists who are not afraid to innovate, blending ancestral roots with modern expression.

"That is the true spirit of our festival – a bold, fearless, and authentic celebration of African creativity,” said Creative Director, Muthoni-Drummer Queen-Ndonga (MDQ).

Sunday's show also saw significant debuts of artists who got their big breaks through viral moments on digital platforms - We Are Nubia, Zaituni, Toxic Lyricali, and Chimano from Sauti Sol.

While the headlining star was Afrobeats, Grammy Winner Tems and she delivered an elegant set; a special treat for the edition was Ugandan artisst and producer Joshua Baraka, who unexpectedly became the live stage closer.

How Joshua Baraka changed the tide at Blankets & Wine September edition

In a last-minute change to the performances' schedule, Baraka gave up his slot to Tems and for a long while the crowd was unsure he would come out.

Such instances, especially for festival-goers in Nairobi, tend to cause whispers of a possible backstage tiff over something or other, so the crowd thinned right after Tems and during MDQ's vote of thanks.

But, we still waited. Thousands of us. Amid technical hitches at the beverage vending points, whose online pre-order system had also been down for a few hours as the event begun.

The 'Wrong Places' singer did not waste a beat, getting right into his top hits as Nairobi sang along.

Baraka then brought out Maya Amolo for 'Bend It' and the crowd could hardly contain themselves when Bien got on stage for 'NANA' and later Mr. Tee for 'DIGII IV'.

“Festivals like Blankets & Wine give us consistent exposure and credibility as performers.

"That’s what builds careers. Blankets & Wine, is not just a festival but an honoured institution that will continue to professionalise and globalise East Africa’s music scene into the future,” said Joshua Baraka during an earlier interview, as he reflected on the thrill of performing on the Blankets & Wine stage once again.

Tems' first performance in Nairobi

Tems' set, which began shortly after 9:00 p.m, balanced intimate vocal moments with high-energy crowd interactions, and a brief moment when her mic cut off.

She did not bring out any other artists, leaving one to wonder if it would have carried the crowd through some of the ballads that seemed unfamiliar. 'Love Me Jeje', however, was still a crowd favourite.

“I love you Nairobi! This is the most enthusiastic welcome I have received anywhere in Africa. Thank you for the love,” she said to her adoring fans.

Another one of her firsts in Nairobi was the inaugural session of her Leading Vibe Initiative held on Monday.

Applications to join the initiative closed on August 30th and Monday saw presenter Amina Abdi Rabar, rapper Femi One, Kenyan songwriters Sheila Kahwai (Llumi), Maureen Nkatha, Dani Dana, and RED Alicia in attendance; along with Maya Amolo, Elsa Wameyo, Christine Muthaka, Xenia Manasseh, and Nikita Kering’.

New entrants to the stage

We Are Nubia (Margaret Atieno and Gloria Munga) made their first appearance at Blankets & Wine with a set that included 'DND', some new hits and throwback fan favourites.

A notable on-stage moment came when We Are Nubia shared the stage with Zaituni for 'DND' and an electric dance sequence. Zaituni had earlier delivered her signature melodic vocals in her Blankets & Wine debut, despite less-than-ideal sound through the speakers.

Toxic Lyrikali delivered one of the most arresting sets of the day, grounding the festival’s polished lineup with raw lyricism and street-sharp delivery that resonated deeply with fans.

His performance fused biting social commentary with crowd-friendly hooks, drawing chants and call-backs that quickly turned casual listeners into active participants. 

By the end of his set, it was clear that Lyrikali had not only introduced himself to the Blankets & Wine faithful but had also staked a claim as one of Kenya’s most compelling new rap voices to watch.

Chimano's performance was also a highlight, mixing hits from his debut album 'Heavy Is The Crown' with classic Sauti Sol favourites that got the crowd moving.

Flier carried the day with his new song 'Wazungu Wako Ulaya' while Billy Black followed with a more expansive, high-energy presence and his smooth vocals.

The September edition was a thrill of surprises, festival-goers can look forward to the next Blankets & Wine, dubbed "The Kenyan Summer Edition", scheduled for December 2025.