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Multi award winning Gospel Rock band Jars of Clay held several concerts in Nairobi that were by any standard very successful. The band held a VIP concert on Friday 20th February at the Mavuno Dome in South B and later held a general concert at the KICC's plenary hall on Sunday 22nd February 2009. Actually, this was the band's second visit to Kenya; the first having gone unnoticed by most Kenyans in 2006. We interviewed the band back in 2006 so check out what they had to say. The band was in the country under the I Choose Life initiative that launched the Jijue 1 Million Campaign, a venture that seeks to get 1 million young people tested and aware of their HIV / AIDS status. As we went to press, the campaign had slightly over 5,000 people. Before the shows, there was a press conference at the Hilton Hotel (view pics) that was also attended by artists. In the VIP show, there were several opening acts including Kanjii Mbugua and the Mavuno Worship Team, Pete Odera as well as Afro fusion artists Eric Wainaina and Carol Atemi. Interestingly, we are not sure whether the organizers wanted a gospel concert or otherwise as the latter two are not gospel acts. However, they do positive music, but is it the same? Weigh in your thoughts below. Former Hope FM funny man (now in the advertising world) Yafesi Musoke was the MC (dressed in a wig! The pics say it all) together with MacQ Gitau. Pete Odera penned down a song for the initiative that was a collaboration between Kenyan artists and Jars of Clay.
At the KICC event, the plenary hall was almost filled to capacity as fans thronged the venue to catch the big band. But as is characteristic of Kenyan events when hosting international artists, there was a train of opening acts hyping up the mood for the main performance. Daddy Owen opened up with his hit song System ya Kapungala (see the video) giving way to Hip Hope's Astar, Michelle, Rigga and Bupe as well as Juliani, XTZ, Rachel, MOG as Jimmie Gait closed the curtain raisers performances with his hit single Muhadhara.
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| Eric Wainaina performs |
The four-member group Jars of Clay then took to the stage assisted by their two sidekicks. They performed hits from their previous as well as current album to a thunderous response. With attendees folking out between Kshs 850 -1000 for the VIP show and Kshs 350 - 550 for the general show, we believe everyone got their money's worth and kudos to the organizers. Other rock / CCM bands that have performed in Nairobi in previous years include Casting Crowns and 38th Parallel.
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