Anita Pendo and DJ Ira Among Headliners Set to Spark the Oldies Festival’s Special Edition
Rwanda’s entertainment lovers are in for a nostalgic treat as some of the country’s top DJs including DJ Ira, DJ RY, and DJ Karim prepare to electrify the upcoming Oldies Festival, an annual celebration of classic music and retro culture. This year’s edition comes with a special twist: Symphony Band will join the lineup for the first time, promising a live performance blending vintage sounds with modern musical flair. Hosting the event is the energetic media personality and DJ, Anita Pendo.
Scheduled for December 6, 2025, the festival will take place at Kigali Universe, with tickets priced at 10,000 Frw for regular entry, 20,000 Frw for VIP, and 200,000 Frw for a full table package.
Women to Take Center Stage in This Year’s Edition
Basile Uwimana, the event organizer, said the 2025 installment aims to highlight and appreciate the role of women in Rwanda’s entertainment industry particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as DJing and emceeing.
“Since the Oldies Festival began, men have always been the majority both behind the turntables and on stage as MCs. This time, we wanted to shift the narrative and give women a more visible platform. That means having female DJs and also a woman as the main host,” he explained.
This year, both the DJ lineup and the event’s presentation will noticeably feature women, marking a new chapter in the festival’s mission to promote inclusivity and artistic diversity.
A Festival with a Growing Legacy
The previous edition was held on July 26, 2025, also at Kigali Universe, attracting a large turnout of music enthusiasts, fashion lovers, and those who appreciate the charm of bygone eras. That event also honored outstanding participants in retro fashion, including Mugisha Emmanuel, popularly known as Clapton Kibonge in the film industry, who won an award for best vintage-inspired attire.
Beyond the main concert, the Oldies Festival has steadily grown into a cultural platform that includes panel discussions on the history of Rwandan music, workshops on traditional fashion, and exhibitions by artists and designers celebrating the evolution of Rwandan art and identity.
A Global Tradition of Nostalgia
Around the world, festivals dedicated to past decades continue to draw massive crowds, bringing together fans eager to relive memories through fashion, music, and dance. Attendees often dress in iconic outfits from earlier decades—flared trousers, shoulder pads, leather jackets, or afro hairstyles transforming such events into vibrant celebrations of culture and history.
The Oldies Festival aims to bring that same spirit to Kigali, offering a moment for Rwandans to reconnect with the sounds, style, and stories that defined earlier generations.
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