The Blankets & Wine international music festival, produced by GoodTimes Africa, returned to Laureate Gardens, Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya, for a sun-soaked September edition headlined by Nigerian Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tems (Temilade Openiyi).

The festival, which brought together an eclectic mix of international and Kenyan acts across its Live and DJ (Onja Onja) stages, unfolded with artistic pomp and glamour on Sunday, September 28, 2025, as a number of artists made their Blankets & Wine debuts to enthusiastic festivalgoers. 

Thousands of fans gathered to witness a bold fusion of African talent, global artistry, and cultural innovation that has defined sounds at the festival for over 16 years. Headliner Tems delivered a commanding set that merged alluring and intimate vocal moments with high-energy crowd interactions.

Rising artists Joshua Baraka, Willis Chimano, We Are Nubia, Toxic Lyrikali, and Zaituni each defined the day with their own signature performances that lit up the live stage, reinforcing Blankets & Wine’s reputation for drawing international acts with emerging Pan-African talent. 

Coming on at 9.20 pm, resplendent in all white, Tems closed the Live Stage with an hour’s set that balanced slow, affectionate moments with her fuller, more anthemic numbers, drawing sustained crowd sing-alongs with her vocal control and stage presence. 

“I love you, Nairobi. This is the most enthusiastic welcome I have received anywhere in Africa. Thank you for the love”, she said to her thousands of singing, chanting, and cheering fans.

Closing the night was Joshua Baraka, whose equally anticipated performance did not disappoint, with highly engaged crowds dancing and singing along. Baraka’s polish on stage, songwriting, and charisma shone through, translating into a strong emotional connection with fans in several of his mid-tempo and up-tempo numbers.

“Festivals like Blankets & Wine give us consistent exposure and credibility as performers. That’s what builds careers. Blankets & Wine is not just a festival but an honoured institution that will continue to professionalize and globalize East Africa’s music scene into the future,” said Joshua Baraka during an earlier interview, as he reflected on the thrill of performing on the Blankets & Wine stage once again.

More than entertainment, Blankets & Wine has, since its inception, mirrored the transformation of Kenya’s live music and festival landscape. From a laid-back Sunday afternoon concert, Blankets & Wine has grown into a continental cultural force, shaping audience expectations and musical palates.

From innovations such as “Lipa Pole, Pole” fan-friendly ticket payment options to staging world-class musical entertainment and lifestyle events that celebrate experimental and genre-pushing musicians, Blankets & Wine continues to grow into a cultural powerhouse and launchpad for African musical talent. 

“As audiences have grown more diverse, digitally savvy, and culturally proud, Blankets & Wine has evolved alongside them, transforming into a vibrant celebration of Africa’s appetite for live music. Today, that appetite is being fueled by generational shifts, bold experimentation in African genres, rising technical excellence, and the growing impact of digital platforms in curating audiences,” said Justine Mbugua, Head of Festivals at GoodTimes Africa.

Additionally, the vibrant Onja Onja stage showcased performances from Akoth Jumadi, Itendera, Santa Currie, Bune, Corinne Kahi, and Mr Lu, with the electrifying B3B set comprised of Ghedi, DJ Paps, and Hiribae bringing a unique fusion of beats and dynamic creativity to the festival.

Integral to the festival’s unique atmosphere, the renowned Onja Onja market offered a vibrant platform for SMEs and artisans, showcasing the diversity in Kenyan food, crafts, and culture. The marketplace not only enriched the festival experience but also highlighted Blankets & Wine’s commitment to uplifting small businesses within the creative economy.

Back on the live stage, Willis Chimano, making his Blankets and Wine debut, delivered a powerfully charged show, belting some of the crowd’s favourite jams by Sauti Sol alongside his new material. Fans swayed to his signature vocal runs and emotive performance, which earned applause after applause. 

Earlier in the day, the live stage had played host to up-and-coming acts, Flier, Toxic Lyrikali, Billy Black, Zaituni, and We Are Nubia. Flier took to the stage with a measured intensity, unveiling tracks like “Wazungu wako Ulaya” that drew close attention from a crowd keen to connect with his introspective, romantic sound. 

Billy Black followed with a more expansive, high-energy presence, his smooth vocals and commanding stage energy earning immediate acclaim while bringing the festival magic with his ability to shift from mellow to powerful vocal moments.

Zaituni stood out with her soulful delivery and charismatic presence. Backed by her strong vocal control and audience rapport, she moved and connected with the crowd for an impressive Blankets and Wine stage debut. 

The ‘We are Nubia’ duo of Margaret Atieno and Gloria Munga, also marking their first appearance at Blankets & Wine, gave their unique blend of Nairobi and regional sounds with a set that included both fan favourites and collaborative moments that reinforce the group’s growing reputation for bringing lush harmonies and communal stage energy. 

A notable on-stage moment came when We Are Nubia shared the stage with Zaituni for a collaborative performance. The energized exchange between the acts, with vocal interplay and call-and-response segments, in a show that not only amplified both acts’ profiles but also created one of the festival’s most energetic and memorable moments.

Another standout act, Toxic Lyrikali delivered one of the most arresting sets of the day, grounding the festival’s polished lineup with raw lyricism and street-sharp delivery that resonated deeply with fans. His performance fused biting social commentary with crowd-friendly hooks, drawing chants and call-backs that quickly turned casual listeners into active participants. 

By the end of his set, it was clear that Lyrikali had not only introduced himself to the Blankets & Wine faithful but had also staked a claim as one of Kenya’s most compelling new rap voices to watch.

“Blankets & Wine has always been intentional about creating space for artists who are not afraid to innovate, blending ancestral roots with modern expression. That is the true spirit of our festival – a bold, fearless, and authentic celebration of African creativity,” said Creative Director, Muthoni-Drummer Queen-Ndonga (MDQ). 

A staple of East Africa’s Music festival culture, amplifying local sounds and elevating them onto global stages, Blankets & Wine is renowned for spotlighting the Future of African Music in its artists. Artists like Akoth Jumadi embodied this renaissance, delivering performances infused with ancestral sounds and modern sonic experimentation, resonating deeply with audiences seeking authenticity and cultural pride. 

The Blankets & Wine September 2025 edition, stretching beyond the stage, underscored Blankets & Wine’s role as both a cultural mirror and a creative compass. Coming just days after the successful international debut in the United Kingdom (UK) of Blankets & Wine – Bradford Edition, held on September 6, 2025, the festival continues to expand its footprint by creating bridges between African artistry and global audiences.  

Bringing the authentic Blankets & Wine experience to audiences in the UK, the Bradford edition featured a full day and evening of live music, DJ sets, and the warm Blankets & Wine festival atmosphere. The lineup included some of Kenya’s most exciting artists, such as Bensoul, Boutross, Njerae, Elsy Wamweyo, DJ Euggy, Tina Ardor, Blinky Bill, Coster Ojwang, alongside Muthoni Drummer Queen herself. 

This milestone reflects Blankets & Wine’s ongoing commitment to cultural exchange and artistic collaboration in showcasing African creativity on a global stage while shaping the region’s creative economy through live music shows and performances. 

The next Blankets & Wine-Kenyan Summer Edition is scheduled for December 2025.