Grammy award winner, Tems, returns to Kenyan for her debut at the blankets and wine festival that blends fashion, culture, and unforgettable performances
On Sunday, September 28th, the Laurette Gardens in Kasarani transformed into a sea of music, fashion, and cultural expression as Blankets and Wine 2025 returned for another edition. Thousands flocked to the venue, picnic baskets, blankets, bottles of wine, and festival outfits in tow, for what has become East Africa’s signature fusion of live music, art, and lifestyle. But this time, it was Grammy Award-winning Nigerian superstar Tems who elevated the festival to a different level altogether, delivering a performance to remember.
Tems’ First Time in Kenya
Tems made her long-awaited Kenyan debut in front of an ecstatic crowd, and the reception was electric from the moment she stepped on stage. Dressed in understated elegance, all white, her presence commanded attention even before she sang a single note. Opening with her chart-topping tracks, she quickly had the audience swaying, singing, and in some moments, almost overcome with emotion.
She performed her Grammy-winning Love Me Jeje, the global favorite Damages, among other tracks from her repertoire. Each song built on the last, drawing the audience deeper into her world of soulful melodies and raw lyricism. When she paused mid-performance to acknowledge the overwhelming energy of the Kenyan crowd, the connection became personal: “This is my first time in Kenya and I wanna live here, I wanna stay here,” she said, to roars of approval that shook the grounds.
A setlist of a performance that became an experience to the attenders, Tems balanced intimacy with spectacle, offering tender moments in her slower songs before switching gears into anthems that had the entire field moving. Her voice cut through crisp and powerful, embodying both vulnerability and strength. It was clear: Tems wasn’t just performing; she was sharing herself with Kenya for the second time, and the embrace was mutual; her first time being when she was in Kenya for Nairobi RnB.
Blankets and Wine Was More Than Music
While Tems was the centerpiece of the night, Blankets and Wine remains a cultural mosaic that extends beyond the headline act. Now a staple on the Kenyan events calendar, the festival is as much about lifestyle as it is about music. From its early-afternoon start to its late-night crescendo, it offers a multi-layered experience where fashion, food, and art thrive alongside the performances.
This year, the fashion stood out in bold color. Festival-goers showcased African and Ankara prints in dazzling arrays, turning the venue into a living runway of vibrant fabrics and expressive styles. It was a reminder that Blankets and Wine is as much about self-expression and community as it is about entertainment.
Festival grounds mirrored this diversity. Vendors offered everything from local foods to international flavors, with drinks flowing to keep conversations lively well into the evening. Art installations and curated spaces provided perfect backdrops for relaxation and photography, ensuring every corner of Laureatte Gardens held something new to explore.
Performances Beyond the Main Stage
Apart from Tems, the lineup delivered standout performances that kept the energy alive throughout the day. Ugandan breakout star Joshua Baraka, alongside Kenya’s own Toxic Lyrikalli, and chimano delivered dynamic sets that drew strong reactions from the crowd. Their blend of energy, lyrical flow, and stage presence reaffirmed why Blankets and Wine is a launchpad for East Africa’s most promising talents.
Meanwhile, the Onja Onja stage — a smaller platform known for curating eclectic experiences — emerged as a crowd favorite. The highlight came from a set featuring Ghedi, Hiribae, and Deejay Paps. Their mix of sounds and rhythms captivated festival-goers, creating an immersive vibe that many claimed “carried the event.” For those looking for an alternative to the main stage, this was the heartbeat of Blankets and Wine 2025.
However, not every moment was perfect. The performance by We Are Nubia suffered from sound issues, sparking waves of complaints on social media. Technical hiccups like this are part of live music, but they stood out in an otherwise polished production. Similarly, long queues at the drink stations tested the patience of many, while delays in set timings slightly disrupted the flow of the festival. These setbacks, though noted, did not ultimately overshadow the magic of the night.
A Festival That Keeps Evolving
Having attended more than one edition, it was clear that 2025 carried a stronger overall vibe than previous years. The energy felt elevated, the performances tighter, and the cultural atmosphere more vibrant. Tems’ debut certainly contributed to this, but so too did the collective efforts of organizers, performers, and the audience who brought their best selves to the gardens.
Blankets and Wine has always marketed itself as more than just a music festival, and this edition proved why. It functioned as a cultural hub, an afternoon picnic, a fashion showcase, and a late-night party rolled into one. In doing so, it reinforced its significance as a space where East African creativity meets global artistry.
The Crowd Experience
What stood out most was the crowd’s unwavering enthusiasm. From early afternoon until the final notes at night, the energy was sustained. The thousands in attendance didn’t just watch passively — they sang, danced, and lived each moment. After Tems’ set, many could be heard breathlessly sharing sentiments of awe. One festival-goer called it “the best live performance I’ve ever seen in Nairobi,” while others simply stood in disbelief, phones in hand, trying to capture what words could not.
Even during the sound issues, the crowd’s resilience showed. Frustrations turned into chants and laughter, and when the music finally stabilized, the collective cheer was louder than the stage itself. It was a reminder that Blankets and Wine is not just organized by its curators; it is co-created by the people who attend.
What A Milestone Night
To conclude, Blankets and Wine 2025 will be remembered as the night Tems came to Kenya and conquered with grace, talent, and sincerity. It will be remembered for fashion that celebrated African identity, food expressed through many different East African and intercontinental experiences, for the Onja Onja stage that showcased fresh creativity, and for a crowd that defined what it means to embrace music fully.
Yes, there were long queues and sound issues. Yes, delays occasionally dampened the rhythm of the day. But when weighed against the brilliance of the performances and the undeniable cultural significance of the event, these became small blemishes on an otherwise radiant canvas.
In the end, Blankets and Wine reaffirmed its place as Kenya’s premier cultural festival. And for Tems, it is a continuation of a love story with Kenya that promises to echo long after the lights of Laurette Gardens dimmed.
Images by Bern Gathu, Meshack Maleya.
