Kigali is set to come alive again, not just with the usual city noise and hustle, but with something deeper-the sound of something real. Something we’ve been missing without even realizing it: ‘Live Nyinshii’. Haven’t heard of it before, read on for its beautiful journey.
Born from the vision of Kaya Byinshi — multi-talented Rwandan singer, songwriter, and theater actress, known off stage as Calene Ingabire, ‘Live Nyinshii’ (loosely translated as ‘a lot of life’) is not just a concert or one-time event. It’s a residency that lives and breathes with purpose. A gathering that blends Rwandan traditional rhythm, blues, soul, spirituality, and storytelling into one soulful experience.
Speaking with SENS Magazine, Kaya shared the vision behind this melodic expedition. “I wanted to revive the energy of live music. To create a space where music, community, and creativity meet.”
Kaya stressed that ‘Live Nyishii’ is about bringing life back to Kigali’s music scene. It’s about giving people a reason to go out, to connect, to feel something deeper than just a catchy beat.
Following a successful first edition: a colorful mix of wood music, funk, and traditional sound, the festival returns on May 15th at Mundi Center. This time, fully grounded in blues, roots, and the raw expression of human behavior.
“The last time, we played with different genres — modern and traditional — but this time, it’s more focused, more emotional,” Kaya noted.
Besides, multiple generations and voices are to grace the stage, Kaya inclusive. “I’ll be joined by four incredible guests. Bringing together older voices and younger talents. “It’s all about bridging generations, I want to see young talent share the stage with experienced voices and shake up the way people think about live music, that’s how we grow, that’s how we learn,” she added.
According to Kaya, Rwandan audiences deserve more than just the songs they hear on the radio. They deserve real moments where artists and audiences meet in the same space. She says, “People often separate the artist from the music. They listen to songs but rarely get to see the artists perform live, to see them grow and connect. I want to change that with live Nyinshii.”
As for the genres, Kaya states that the stage is where ‘you’ learn the most. Thus, the change in genres so as to keep things fresh whilst giving artists a space to explore.
Moreover, Live Nyinshii will be a platform that invites artists from all over Rwanda, and eventually from across the world. A place where local culture meets global sound, and curiosity becomes a connection.
Slated this Thursday at 8:30pm, the event promises a ‘live music club’ feeling. One where the audience will not just watch, but vibe and live in the moment. Entertainment filled with storytelling.
“My music carries a powerful emotional connection, one that’s strong to make people feel my music even when they don’t understand the language,” Kaya noted.
