Bien: Sol Fest will continue even with Sauti Sol gone
By Sinda MatikoAs Sauti Sol prepares for their last curtain call as a group after a remarkable 20-year journey, their brainchild, Sol Fest, is set to continue illuminating the Kenyan music scene.
While the iconic band will soon be embarking on individual endeavors, their commitment to nurturing and celebrating Kenyan musical talent remains unwavering.
Sol Fest, a musical extravaganza conceived by the renowned vocalists, is not set to fade away with the departure of Sauti Sol from stage performances. Bien Aime Baraza, one of the band’s vocalists, assures fans that Sol Fest will be an annual fixture on Kenya’s cultural calendar.
“Most definitely, Sol Fest will continue to happen. What people need to do now is release Sauti Sol from Sol Fest. Sol Fest is no longer just about Sauti Sol; it’s about our Kenyan music industry. I mean, guys might get tired of hearing Sauti Sol perform at every Sol Fest concert,” Bien explains.
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Rather than centering the festival around themselves, Sauti Sol envisions Sol Fest becoming Kenya’s answer to renowned international events like Coachella—a notable music and arts festival staged annually in California over five days.
“The intention is to make Sol Fest a platform for many other artists, including international ones, to come and have an experience. In Kenya, we don’t have our version of Afro-Nation or Afro-Coachella, and this is the direction we intend to take with Sol Fest. Our dream is to bring a variety of different acts to that stage,” Bien adds.
Last week, Bien faced questions about why Sauti Sol was charging Sh20,000 for tickets to their final Sol Fest performance. In response, he emphasized that the price reflected the band’s desire to give fans an unparalleled experience.
“People are paying Sh20,000 because Sauti Sol will be providing fans with 20 years of experience. We have been on this journey with our fans for two decades,” Bien explains.
Describing the event as a once-in-a-lifetime premium experience, Sauti Sol revealed that the VIP package would include an up-close and personal performance, a 5-star banquet with complimentary drinks, limited edition Sauti Sol merchandise, and the opportunity to meet and greet with the band members.
Also read: Bien: Why we are charging 20K for Sauti Sol’s last dance