Opinion: Uncle Waffles’ Nairobi Event Highlights Broader Issues With African Music Concerts
The chaotic Nairobi concert brings attention to recurring failures in the organization of music events across Africa, raising urgent questions about crowd safety and artist-audience care.
“They’re literally throwing teargas at us,” lamented on-air personality, Stacey Atieno in avideo recording of the chaotic scene. “At this rate…an organized event in Kenya is a dream. The same way we’re saying ‘Ruto must go’—it’s a dream.”
Fans flocked to the much-anticipated performance by celebrated amapiano DJUncle Waffles, but they were soon disappointed. Overcrowding, subpar sound quality, and poor management ended the event abruptly, leaving attendees frustrated. “The crowd showed up, but organizers underestimated the numbers,”observed X user Kelly Sly Kiarie. “Worse, the sound system was pathetic, straining her performance. Fans and artists deserve better!”
The DJ herself aired her frustrations in astatement addressing the debacle. “From sound issues even before my performance to my team being mishandled, this wasn’t something I expected at all,” she shared.
She also expressed concern about event organizers and security personnel mistreating her Kenyan fans. “People were pushed around, mishandled, and treated with the least amount of care, and that is something I will not stand for,” she said. “The safety and well-being of people who come out to support me and this genre is my top priority, and I could not play my set any longer while people were visibly uncomfortable and at risk of getting hurt.”
This incident isn’t an isolated one. The chaos at Uncle Waffles’ Nairobi show points to recurring lapses in event planning and audience care at music events across the continent.
A pattern of mismanagement and disregard
From Kenya to Nigeria, DRC to Ghana, poorly organized concerts have become a common frustration for fans. In December 2022, aFally Ipupa concert in Kinshasa, DRC, ended tragically in a stampede that claimed 11 lives. Similarly, nine people died at agospel concert by Congolese artist Mike Kalambay in the same city earlier that year.
Last year, Burna Boy’s Love Damini concert in Lagos, Nigeria, was heavily criticized for its disorganization, including long delays and sound issues.Burna Boy blamed the country’s poor infrastructure: “The organizational structure and infrastructure are not there for the complexities of my audio and production needs.”
Sometimes, the artists are a no-show, as in the case of Wizkid in December 2022, when he failed to attend his much-anticipated concert in Ghana, citing safety and technical failures in anapologyhe later issued to angered fans. Similarly, Tanzania saw an uproar in 2022 whenKizz Daniel failed to perform at the Warehouse, Old Nextdoor Arena show, forcing organizers to issue refunds amid fan outrage. In South Africa, last-minute cancellations have marred major amapiano festivals.
What can be done?
These recurring issues in music event management stem from poor planning,underinvestment in event infrastructure, and ineffective crowd control measures.
A critical factor is also the lack of accountability. Concert promoters often neglect audience safety and comfort and rarely face the consequences of failing to deliver quality experiences. This creates a cycle of recurring failures across the continent, from Afrobeats festivals to amapiano concerts, leaving fans increasingly frustrated.
To curb this persistent problem, organizers need to invest in professional production teams and well-trained security personnel. Clear communication with fans, honoring ticket capacities, and ensuring adequate crowd control measures are non-negotiable.
Moreover, governments and industry stakeholders could play a more active role by regulating event standards and holding organizers accountable for lapses. There’s also a need for better infrastructure—purpose-built venues, reliable sound systems, and accessible facilities for all attendees, including those with disabilities.
Africa is home to some of the world’s most celebrated artists and thriving music cultures, but the concert experience often doesn’t match the quality of the music. Artists like Rema and Burna Boy have increasingly spoken out and emphasized that fans deserve better. AsUncle Waffles said, after the Nairobi mayhem, the safety and well-being of fans must come first. “You have not only disappointed me, but you have also let down over ten thousand people who came out in support of this event,” she said to the organizers ofFor the Love of Amapiano, Kenya.
For the African music scene to continue to flourish, it’s time to match its artistic excellence with world-class event standards. This will protect fans, assure audience satisfaction, and bolster the continent’s reputation as a hub for music and cultural experiences.