Get Up, Rock Heads! The We Are Loud Festival is scheduled to make its first trip to Kenya
As 2025 steadily comes to a standstill, a new dawn has arrived in Kenya. Who is the We Are Loud Festival? Rock fans are going to witness something close to Green Day stopping in East Africa without creating much of a commotion. The four-day event will be the first of its type in the nation, offering an unreserved fusion of rock, punk, proto-punk, skate culture, and underground energy.
The We Are Loud Festival is a truly migratory event that takes place in a different nation each year. Previous versions have taken place in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Vietnam, the USA, and, for 2025, Kenya.
Join us as we visit our favorite locations throughout the world with “We’re Loud Fest.” To improbable locations, where such festivals are uncommon, if they occur at all,” says one of the event organizers.
Nairobi will host the first leg of the Kenyan chapter, called We’re Loud Africa, from November 20 to November 29. After that, it will travel to the coast for a few dates in Kilifi and Lamu.
In order to build relationships within the international rock-punk community, the festival aims to provide platforms for African artists to perform alongside rock and punk bands from around the globe.
It involves human musicians and non-electronic sound, which is different from the majority of contemporary festivals that use computer-generated beats for their music. Electrifying guitar skills, thumping percussion, and live intensity are all features of We’re Loud Fest’s stages.
The lineup
International and local Kenyan performers are mixed together at the festival:
- DEATH (USA): Proto-punk legends from Detroit.
- The Monsters (Switzerland): Swiss rock band.
- Twenty One Children (South Africa): A Jozi skate punk band.
- Sexfaces (USA): From Washington D.C..
- Blaq Hammer (USA): Rock act from the USA.
- Bloodshot Bill (Canada): Plays raw rhythm and honky tonk punk.
- Reverend Beat-Man (Switzerland): Musician and DJ.
- Boom Boom Kid (Argentina): Hardcore psychobilly from Argentina.
- Powerslide (Kenya): A local Nairobi rock band.
- Crystal Axis (Kenya): A Nairobi band.
- Last Year’s Tragedy (Kenya): An OG Nairobi metal band.
- The Try Umphs (Canada): A band from Toronto.
- Irony Destroyed (Kenya): A Nairobi band.
- DJ Baa (Kenya): A local DJ.
The Nairobi Edition event outline is as follows:
- Thursday, Nov 20: Opening Party with Last Year’s Tragedy, the Try Umphs, Hirnschraube, + Sababu at Shelter.
- Friday, Nov 21 (4pm – Midnight): Zahabu Sundowner SkateJam at The Mall Rooftop. Expect skate contests by @radboardshopke, live sets by Powerslide (KE), Twenty One Children, Reverend Beat Man, Kenya’s DJ Baa, & Irony Destroyed.
- Friday, Nov 21 (Late Night): The Afterparty moves to Shelter KE with DJs and a surprise live act slated
- Saturday, Nov 22 (5pm – late): This is the Main festival event! Taking place at K1 Klub House, headliners include Death, The Monsters, Sexfaces, Chovu, Crystal Axis, plus DJ’s and surprise live acts.
- Sunday, Nov 23 (2pm – Midnight): Hangover Lunch at Red Brick Hotel, Karen — raw rhythm & honky tonk punk from Bloodshot Bill, Argentinian hardcore psychobilly Boom Boom Kid, plus DJs, food, beer, and community vibes.
