Pearl Rhythm Festival

Pearl Rhythm Festival is a world music festival organized by the Pearl Rhythm Foundation to celebrate Ugandan music and hosted annually at the National Theatre. The festival is the climax of all the activities in the Pearl Rhythm Foundation...[1] Preparations for the festival always start at the start of the year with auditions, training, recording and activation performances and then the festival towards the end of the year.

Pearl Rhythm Festival
GenreWorld Music, Folk music
Location(s)Uganda National Cultural Centre, Kampala
Years active8
Attendance5,000+
CapacityUnlimited
Organised byPearl Rhythm Foundation

Process

Every year, the Pearl Rhythm Foundation searches for young and fresh artists to mentor. Four winners are chosen and each gets a single recording deal, publicity, and a chance to perform at the festival. Prior to recording and festival performance, the four winners go through a three months extensive training program and monthly activation performances at the National Theatre to prepare them for the festival stage.[2] Most of the musicians that have performed at the Pearl Rhythm Festival have gained from the Pearl Rhythm Stage Coach.[3][4]

History

The festival was started by Pearl Rhythm Foundation, which is a Ugandan grassroots music and creative community, for the purpose of strengthening an independent music scene in Uganda. It was started by producer and sound engineer Jude Mugerwa and Kora Award nominee and singer Suzan Kerunen, Myko Ouma, Ambrose Mugume and Rose Kerunen.[5]

The Pearl Rhythm Festival was initiated in December 2012.[6] The festival started off with the support of development partners like Alliance Française, Uganda German Cultural Society, and a collection of early supporters in Uganda’s private sector. It was first hosted by AFK/UGCS on Mackinnon road for two years (2012 and 2013), and then progressed to be hosted at the Uganda National Cultural Centre (National Theatre),[7] where it has been based ever since.

The Festival’s attendance has grown steadily, from 100 people in its first year, growing to 500 in 2013, approximately 800 in 2014 and over 1000 in 2016.

The festival has discovered, mentored and introduced new artists through its Stage Coach program. These artists include: The Undercover Brothers, Hakim Kiwanuka, Jamila Nasanga and Giovanni Kiyingi, Arpeggio Charles Obina, and Raymond Parwot, Afrie Nasanga, Haka Mukiga , J.wonder and Lynn Aineomugisha[8][9]

List of Pearl Rhythm Festival Editions
YearFestival VenuePerformers
2018 Uganda National Cultural Centre
  • Sandra Kay
2017
2016 Uganda National Cultural Centre [10]
  • Sylvester and Abramz
  • Myko Ouma
  • Lily Kadima
  • Derrick Komakech
  • Wake
  • JAQ Deweyi
  • Bantu Clan
  • Baximba Waves
  • Happy Kyazze
  • Faizal Damba
  • Mostrixx
  • Triza
2015 Uganda National Cultural Centre [11]
  • Haka Mukiga
  • Anne Nassanga (Afrie)
  • J. Wonder
  • Lynn Aineomugisha
  • Karim Ssava
  • Sammy Kasule
  • Joe Kahirimbanyi
  • Greg Tendwa
  • Bengatronics (from Kenya)
  • Michael Kitanda
  • Jah Liya
2014 Uganda National Cultural Centre
2013 [13]
2012
  • Qwella
  • Benon Mugumbya
  • Samuel Ibanda
  • Pragmo
  • Zivu Culture
  • Suzan Kerunen
  • Ssali Muserebende
  • Tshila
  • Soul Beat Africa
  • Karim Saava
  • Jackie Akello
  • Acaye Pamela
  • Irene Ntale
  • Joel Sebunjo
  • Anique
  • Myko Ouma
  • Winston Mukasa
  • Harry Lwanga
  • Fr. Ssenfuma

References
  1. "Pearl Rhythm Festival". Music in Africa. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  2. "Pearl Rhythms activations kickoff". Tsup Ug. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  3. "The Pearl Rhythm – Has Uganda Finally Found Its Music Identity?". Uganda News Release. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  4. "Pearl Rhythm festival set for this Saturday". The Observer. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  5. "Uganda: Kerunen and Team Do It Better At Pearl Rhythm Festival". All Africa. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  6. "Alliance Française to host Pearl Rhythm Festival". The Independent. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  7. "Pearl Rhythm Festival: A Photo Essay". This is Africa. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  8. "Pearl Rhythm Festival exhibits talent". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  9. "Raw talent reigns supreme at Pearl Rhythm festival". The Observer. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  10. "Uganda's Pearl Rhythm Festival returns to the National Theatre". Music in Africa. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  11. "Pearl Rhythm Festival to showcase new and timeless Ugandan sounds". Music in Africa. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  12. "Lily Kadima Performing Live at The Annual Pearl Rhythm Festival #2016". HiPipo. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  13. "Pearl rhythm festival is back". The Observer. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
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