Wikipedia

Blankets and Wine

Blankets and Wine is a pan-African Festival that combines music, fashion, food and family-friendly experiences.[1] The festival was founded by Kenyan musician and cultural entrepreneur Muthoni Drummer Queen.[2]

History

[edit]

Blankets and Wine started in 2008 as an event to showcase emerging Kenyan musicians.[3] The picnic-styled event was initially held every first Sunday of the month.[4] Attendees were supposed to bring a bottle of wine, a picnic basket and a blanket. They would then watch performances from local artists.[5]

In 2012, the event was launched in Uganda. In 2017, the event was first held in Rwanda.[6][7] The Rwanda edition would also have a segment called "New Kigali Set", which would include performances from local upcoming artists.[8] In 2020, amidst Covid-19 lockdown restriction, Blankets & Wine held its first online edition.[9] In 2025, organizers announced they would hold the first international edition of blankets and wine in the UK.[10][11][12]

In 2022, Blankets and Wine Uganda banned children from attending the festival.[13] In 2023 and 2024, the festival held four editions each year.[14]

In 2025, Blankets and Wine announced that it would host three editions of the festival. Each edition will feature a main stage and a second stage, known as the Onja Onja stage and the Onja Onja market. The main stage will feature seven artists who will be performing live. The Onja Onja stage will feature seven DJs. The Onja Onja market on the other hand, is where local artisans and vendors showcase and sell their items.[1]

Festival summary by year

[edit]

Blankets and Wine Kenya

[edit]
Edition Year Country Venue Date Headliners Ref
24 2011 Kenya Mamba Village Leisure Garden April 3 Thandiswa Mazwai [15]
27 2011 Kenya Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village July 10
29 2011 Kenya Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village September 4 Mafikizolo [16]
32 2012 Kenya Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village March 4 Lira [17]
2012 Kenya Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village August 5 Sauti Sol

Tumi Yunasi Michel Ongaro

[18]
38 2012 Kenya Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village October 7 Juliani

Fena Gitu Harry Kimani Kamba

40 2012 Kenya Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village December 2 Madtraxx

Dan Chizi Aceda Makadem Andrew Wambua Afrology the Band

[19]
2013 Kenya Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village Liquideep [20]
44 2013 Kenya Carnivore June 2 Zahara
46 2013 Kenya Carnivore August 4 Kidum [21]
50 2014 Kenya January 4

and January 5

Mafikizolo

Mi Casa Sauti Sol

2016 Kenya Ngong Racecourse and Golf Park July 10 Estelle [22]
2017 Kenya April 9 AKA (rapper) [23]
2019 Kenya Ngong Racecourse and Golf Park December 22 Koffee [24]
2024 Kenya Laureate Gardens, Moi International Sports Center April 7 Wurld

Eric Wainaina

Wanavokali

Fena Gitu

Chris Kaiga

[25]
2024 Kenya Laureate Gardens, Moi International Sports Center July 28 Savara

Nikita Kering Samthing Soweto

Bensoul

[26]
2024 Kenya Laureate Gardens- Moi International Sports Center in Nairobi October 6 Nasty C [27]
December 2024 Kenya Laureate Gardens, Moi International Sports Center December 22 Nyashinski

Wakadinali Necessary Noize Watendawili Njerae

[28]
2025 Kenya Laureate Gardens, Moi International Sports Centre June 29 Mi Casa [29]

Blankets and Wine Uganda

[edit]
Edition Year Country Venue Dates Headliners Ref
3 2013 Uganda Uganda Museum March 31 Madtraxx

Tamba The Sundowners Band Winston and Pragmo

[30]
8 2014 Uganda Uganda Museum December 14 Freshlyground [31]
9 2015 Uganda Uganda Museum Eric Wainaina [32]
10 2015 Uganda September 27 Zahara [33]
11 2015 Uganda Uganda Museum December 13 Kansoul

Kenneth Mugabi Swahili Nation

[34]
12 2016 Uganda Uganda Museum March 27 Uhuru [35]
15 2016 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval December 18 Ali kiba [36]
2017 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval August 20 Seyi Shay [37]
19 2018 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval May 6 Heavy K

The Ben

Fik Fameica

[38]
2018 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval December 16 Maleek Berry [39]
22 2019 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval April

28

Shekhinah

King Saha Sammy Kasule

[40]
23 2019 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval August 25 Skales [41]
24 2019 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval December 15 Jidenna [42]
2022 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval March 27 Bruce Melodie

Spice Diana Zex Bilangilangi Cosign Yenze Trroy Music Ebrahim Soul O Shakib Miss Deedan

[43]
2022 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval July 24 Ayra Starr [44]
2022 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval December 11 Yemi Alade [45]
29 2023 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval April 30 Cassper Nyovest

Azawi

Bensoul

Mike Kaihura

[46][47]
2023 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval December 17 Konshens [48]
30 2023 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval August 27 Johnny Drille [49]
2024 Uganda Lugogo Cricket Oval June 30 Samthing Soweto [50]

Blankets and Wine Rwanda

[edit]
Edition Year Country Venue Date Headliners Ref
1 2017 Rwanda Kigali Golf Course August 27 Lillian Mbabazi

Bruce Melodie

Tresor

[51]
2 2017 Rwanda Kigali Golf Course December 17 [52]
2023 Rwanda Canal Olympia September 3 Mike Kayihura

Alyn Sano

Kivumbi King

Angel Mutoni

Sea Stars

[53]

Blankets and Wine Online Edition

[edit]
Edition Year Date Headliners Ref
1 2020 August 30 Joeboy [9]

Blankets and Wine International Edition

[edit]
Year Edition Country Venue Date Headliners Ref
2025 1 United Kingdom Lister Park September 6 To be announced [10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Blankets & Wine to host three editions in 2025". Nairobi News. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  2. ^ "Kenya: Muthoni Drummer Queen joins Spotify's Equal programme". Music In Africa. 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  3. ^ Kimenyi, Bryan (2017-06-28). "Blankets and Wine comes to Kigali". The New Times. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  4. ^ "The misconception of Blankets and Wine". Daily Nation. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  5. ^ "Blankets and Wine Festival set to resume". Daily Nation. 2022-12-03. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  6. ^ "Blankets and wine Kigali". The EastAfrican. 2020-07-06. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  7. ^ "Blankets and Wine fest goes to Rwanda". Music In Africa. 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  8. ^ Opobo, Moses (2017-08-17). "Blankets and Wine seeks to connect Africa through music". The New Times. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  9. ^ a b K, Pearl Elisabeth (2020-08-30). "Blankets and Wine Holds First Online Edition". ChimpReports. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  10. ^ a b Nzyoka, Nzula (2025-05-15). "Blankets & Wine to host first international show in Bradford city". KBC Digital. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  11. ^ "Kenya: Blankets and Wine fest to celebrate 16 years with UK debut". Music In Africa. 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  12. ^ "Blankets & Wine to celebrate 16 years anniversary with first international show". Citizen Digital. 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  13. ^ Object, object (2022-07-19). "Children banned from Blankets and Wine". New Vision. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  14. ^ "Karun, Nasty C, and Sun El Musician Headline Blankets & Wine Nairobi – Rolling Stone Africa". Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  15. ^ WALUBENGO, LAURA (2011-04-01). "Blankets and Wine: This Sunday". Capital Lifestyle. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  16. ^ Murua, James (8 September 2011). "Kenya: Blankets and Wine and Umbrellas". allAfrica. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  17. ^ "allAfrica.com: Kenya: Lira Wowed By Blankets and Wine". allafrica.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-16. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  18. ^ WALUBENGO, LAURA (2012-08-02). "Sauti Sol to drop latest album at Blankets". Capital Lifestyle. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  19. ^ WALUBENGO, LAURA (2012-12-01). "An all Kenyan performance at Blankets & Wine". Capital Lifestyle. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  20. ^ Kerongo, Grace (2 January 2014). "Kenya: Liquideep for Inaugural 2013 Blankets and Wine". The Star. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  21. ^ Lifestyle, Capital (2013-08-01). "46th Blankets & Wine features Ugandan Maurice Kirya, Burundi's Kidum". Capital Lifestyle. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
  22. ^ "British singer Estelle set to perform in Kenya". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  23. ^ "AKA to headline Nairobi fest". Music In Africa. 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  24. ^ "Jamaican teen reggae sensation Koffee to headline 'Blankets and Wine'". Nairobi News. 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  25. ^ Digital, K. B. C. (2024-04-04). "Wurld, Wanavokali, more to perform at Blankets & Wine in April". KBC Digital. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  26. ^ Billion (2024-08-01). "Blankets and Wine 2024". Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  27. ^ "Nasty C, Charisma, Fathermoh among artists to headline Blankets and Wine festival". Citizen Digital. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  28. ^ "Nyashinski, Wakadinali & Necessary Noize set to headline Blankets & Wine". www.mpasho.co.ke. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  29. ^ Frankline, Keya (2025-05-29). "Blankets & Wine Returns This June with Stellar 2025 Lineup". KenyanVibe. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  30. ^ Lifestyle, Capital (2013-03-28). "Madtraxx for Blankets and Wine Kampala III". Capital Lifestyle. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
  31. ^ "Freshly Ground to wine with city fans". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  32. ^ Staff Writer (2015-05-05). "Eric Wainaina Lights Up Blankets And Wine". ONLINE. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  33. ^ "Jazz sensation Zahara for Blankets and Wine". Monitor. 2021-01-04. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  34. ^ "Uganda's Blankets & Wine fest to end year with great line-up". Music In Africa. 2015-12-03. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  35. ^ "South Africa's Uhuru join Ugandan stars for Blankets & Wine in Kampala". Music In Africa. 2016-03-21. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  36. ^ Baranga, Samson (2016-12-21). "Blankets and Wine goes live". The Observer. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  37. ^ Eupal, Felix (2017-08-18). "Blankets & Wine returns". The Observer. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  38. ^ Alinda, Alex (2018-05-02). "Fik Fameica to Take on SA's Heavy K, Rwanda's The Ben at Blankets And Wine". TowerPostNews. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  39. ^ Larubi, Pat Robert (2018-11-30). "Nigerian Singer, Maleek Berry to Headline Blankets and Wine December Edition". SoftPower News. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
  40. ^ Emuk, Benjamen (2019-04-18). "List Of Entertainers To Grace Blankets & Wine Unveiled". ChimpReports. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  41. ^ "Nigeria's Skales to headline Blankets and Wine in Uganda". Music In Africa (in French). 2019-07-31. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
  42. ^ Emuk, Benjamen (2019-11-07). "Rapper Jidenna, Allan Toniks, More to Close 24th Edition of Blankets and Wine". ChimpReports. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
  43. ^ admin, N. P. "What to expect at Blankets & Wines this Sunday". Nilepost News. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  44. ^ Mwesigwa, Solomon (2022-05-21). "Nigerian Singer Ayra Starr To Perform In Kampala At Blankets & Wine". MBU. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
  45. ^ "Blankets and Wine winds up 10th-anniversary celebrations with Yemi Alade". The Independent Uganda. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  46. ^ Kazibwe, Kenneth. "Bensoul, Mike Kaihura jet in ahead of Blankets and Wine performance". Nilepost News. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  47. ^ Ruby, Josh (2023-05-01). "Azawi, Cassper Nyovest shut down Blankets and Wine 29th Edition". MBU. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  48. ^ Ruby, Josh (2023-12-14). "Konshens arrives in Uganda ahead of Blankets and Wine". MBU. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  49. ^ Emuk, Benjamen (2023-08-25). "Nigerian Singer Johnny Drille Jets In Ahead Of 30th Edition Of Blankets & Wine". ChimpReports. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  50. ^ Tendo, Elizabeth (2024-06-26). "Uganda: Blankets & Wine Kampala 2024 - the Ultimate Weekend Experience Is Here!". Nile Post. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  51. ^ "Rwanda: Blankets and Wine Kigali". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-16. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  52. ^ "Rwanda: Blankets and Wine Returns Bigger and Better". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  53. ^ Ntarindwa, Frank (2023-08-30). "Mike Kayihura, Alyn Sano, Kivumbi to perform at Blankets & Wine Kigali". The New Times. Retrieved 2025-06-18.