Tems leads an all-star lineup of debuts at the Nairobi Blankets & Wine Festival

Nigerian Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tems (Temilade Openiyi) was the main act at the sun-drenched September edition of the Blankets & Wine international music festival, which is organized by GoodTimes Africa and returned to Laureate Gardens, Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya.

Several musicians made their Blankets & Wine debuts to ecstatic festivalgoers on Sunday, 28th, 2025, as the festival, which featured a diverse array of international and Kenyan performances on its Live and DJ (Onja Onja) stages, unfolded with artistic pomp and glamor.

The festival has been defining sounds for more than 16 years, and thousands of fans came to see a daring blend of African talent, international artistry, and cultural innovation. Tems, the main performer, gave a powerful performance that combined passionate audience engagement with seductive and personal vocal passages.

With their own standout performances that lighted up the live stage, rising musicians Joshua Baraka, Willis Chimano, We Are Nubia, Toxic Lyrikali, and Zaituni each defined the day and furthered Blankets & Wine’s reputation for attracting international acts with up-and-coming Pan-African talent.

Dressed in all white, Tems took the stage at 9.20 p.m. and closed up the Live Stage with an hour-long show that mixed gentle, loving moments with her bigger, more anthemic numbers. Her stage presence and vocal power drew long audience sing-alongs.

This is the warmest welcome I have ever gotten in Africa, and I adore you, Nairobi. To her thousands of supporters who were screaming, yelling, and singing, she remarked, “Thank you for the love.”

Joshua Baraka closed up the evening with a highly engaged audience that was dancing and singing along to his equally anticipated performance. In a number of his mid-tempo and up-tempo songs, Baraka’s charisma, lyricism, and stage craft all shine through, creating a powerful emotional bond with his audience.

As musicians, we consistently gain recognition and credibility thanks to festivals like Blankets & Wine. Careers are built on that. In a previous interview, Joshua Baraka discussed the excitement of returning to the Blankets & Wine stage and said, “Bleeds & Wine is not just a festival, but an esteemed institution that will continue to professionalize and globalize East Africa’s music scene into the future.”

Since its founding, Blankets & Wine has served as much than just entertainment; it has reflected the evolution of Kenya’s live music and festival scene. Blankets & Wine began as a casual Sunday afternoon performance and has since expanded into a continental cultural force that shapes musical tastes and audience expectations.

Blankets & Wine is becoming a cultural powerhouse and a platform for African musical talent, thanks to innovations like “Lipa Pole, Pole,” fan-friendly ticket payment options, and the hosting of top-notch musical entertainment and lifestyle events that honor experimental and genre-pushing musicians.

Blankets & Wine has changed to become a lively celebration of Africa’s love of live music as audiences have become more varied, tech-savvy, and culturally aware. According to Justine Mbugua, Head of Festivals at GoodTimes Africa, “that appetite is being fueled today by generational shifts, bold experimentation in African genres, rising technical excellence, and the growing impact of digital platforms in curating audiences.”

Additionally, Akoth Jumadi, Itendera, Santa Currie, Bune, Corinne Kahi, and Mr. Lu performed on the lively Onja Onja stage. Ghedi, DJ Paps, and Hiribae’s incredible B3B set brought a distinctive blend of beats and dynamic innovation to the festival.

The well-known Onja Onja market, which showcased the richness of Kenyan cuisine, crafts, and culture, provided SMEs and craftsmen with a lively platform that was essential to the festival’s distinctive ambiance. In addition to adding value to the festival experience, the marketplace demonstrated Blankets & Wine’s dedication to supporting small companies in the creative economy.

Returning to the live stage, Willis Chimano, who was performing for the first time with Blankets and Wine, had a tremendous performance, singing his new songs along with some of the crowd’s favorite Sauti Sol songs. His characteristic vocal runs and heartfelt performance won him countless applause from the crowd.

Earlier in the day, emerging performers Flier, Toxic Lyrikali, Billy Black, Zaituni, and We Are Nubia performed on the live stage. With a measured intensity, Flier ascended the stage and unveiled songs like “Wazungu wako Ulaya,” which captured the attention of a throng eager to connect with his passionate, introspective style.

Following with a more expansive, high-energy presence, Billy Black brought the festival enchantment with his ability to transition between mellow and forceful vocal moments. His dominating stage energy and flawless vocals earned him immediate attention.

Zaituni’s captivating personality and heartfelt speech made her stand out. She moved and engaged the audience for a remarkable Blankets and Wine stage debut, supported by her excellent vocal control and relationship with the audience.

In addition to making their debut at Blankets & Wine, the “We are Nubia” duo of Margaret Atieno and Gloria Munga showcased their distinctive fusion of Nairobi and regional sounds with a set that featured both fan favorites and group moments that further solidified the group’s developing reputation for delivering lush harmonies and communal stage energy.

One of the most memorable moments on stage was when We Are Nubia and Zaituni performed together. The performers’ dynamic interaction, which included vocal interplay and call-and-response parts, not only enhanced the visibility of both acts but also produced one of the festival’s most memorable and exuberant moments.

One of the most impressive performances of the day was given by Toxic Lyrikali, another standout act. Their street-sharp delivery and unvarnished lyrics grounded the festival’s well-curated lineup and struck a deep chord with listeners. His performance combined scathing social criticism with catchy songs, eliciting chants and call-backs that swiftly transformed indifferent listeners into engaged participants.

By the end of his performance, it was evident that Lyrikali had established himself as one of Kenya’s most captivating new rap artists to watch, in addition to introducing himself to the Blankets & Wine fan base.

“Blankets & Wine has always made a conscious effort to provide a platform for artists that aren’t scared to experiment, fusing traditional origins with contemporary expression. Muthoni, the drummer queen of Ndonga (MDQ), remarked, “That is the true spirit of our festival – a bold, fearless, and authentic celebration of African creativity.”

Blankets & Wine, a mainstay of East Africa’s music festival tradition, is known for showcasing the future of African music in its performers and bringing regional sounds to a global audience. This renaissance was personified by performers like as Akoth Jumadi, who captivated audiences looking for authenticity and ethnic pride with performances that blended contemporary musical innovation with traditional sounds.

Beyond the stage, the Blankets & Wine September 2025 edition emphasized the publication’s dual function as an artistic compass and a cultural mirror. Days after Blankets & Wine – Bradford Edition had its triumphant worldwide premiere in the UK on September 6, 2025, the festival is still growing by fostering connections between African artists and audiences around the world.

With a full day and evening of live music, DJ sets, and the cozy ambiance of a Blankets & Wine festival, the Bradford edition brought the real Blankets & Wine experience to audiences in the UK. Alongside Muthoni Drummer Queen herself, the program featured some of Kenya’s most intriguing musicians, including Bensoul, Boutross, Njerae, Elsy Wamweyo, DJ Euggy, Tina Ardor, Blinky Bill, and Coster Ojwang.

This milestone demonstrates Blankets & Wine’s continued dedication to artistic collaboration and cultural exchange in promoting African innovation internationally and influencing the creative economy of the region through live music performances and concerts. In December 2025, the next Blankets & Wine-Kenyan Summer Edition will take place.