Iryn Namubiru’s Timeless Experience lives up to billing

For songstress Iryn Namubiru and her fans, expectations in the run-up to her July 26 Timeless Experience concert at Kampala Serena hotel, were high.

Justifiably so, because by Wednesday last week, the show organised by Swangz Avenue was sold out. And by 6pm on Friday, ticket verification had already started and revellers were filling up Victoria hall by 7pm.

At 8:02pm, Iryn stepped on stage as her fans went wild. Wearing white, she was accompanied by Swangz Avenue’s Double Black band, fused with Myko Ouma & Friends. She kicked off the show with the groovy Begombeko, and a few seconds in, the crowd was already singing along, word for word.

She followed that up with Birowoozo, Kabiki, Empisa Zo, and Nsonyiwa, before finally talking to her fans and taking a break thereafter. Iryn’s voice is still bell-clear as ever, which left the crowd nodding in approval, and her long experience singing with a live band was also evident in how well she worked with the instrumentalists.

During Iryn’s break, Zafaran, Elijah Kitaka and Azawi took the tempo a notch higher, with an energetic set. Zafaran performed two of her songs, including Otulo, while Kitaka got everyone on their feet with Touch and Continue and Dawa.

When Azawi came on stage, amidst deafening screams, it was already dancing time. She served the crowd with Bamututte, Quinamino and Masavu. This set was closed with a Masavu remix that no one knew about – featuring Azawi, Zafaran and Kitaka.

A few minutes past 9pm, Iryn returned on stage, this time with some of the crowd’s favourite songs from her past. She kicked the set off with Nkuweki, and this turned the crowd into a big choir. The smile on her face was unmissable as she watched her fans sing along till the end.

The front row tables which had musicians Juliana Kanyomozi, Spice Diana, Rema Namakula and Halima Namakula, among others, were probably the busiest as they grooved along to Nkwagala Nnyo, arguably the most enjoyed song of the night.

Iryn’s second set also featured Chosen Becky, who joined Iryn to sing Y’ani, originally done with Julie Mutesasira. Chosen Becky would close her performance with Bankuza. Sama Soja also had his time with Iryn.

Set three was kick-started by Ragga Dee, a musician Iryn holds in high regard for having launched her music career back in 2001. Ragga Dee performed Move and Oyagala Cash, which got the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga and his wife, nodding along.

Ragga Dee then hinted on his own concert, slated for January 25, 2025, at the same venue. Jose Chameleon set the stage ablaze with Mama Mia, Kuma Obwesigwa and finally, his collaboration with Iryn – Samwa Samwa. She carried on with more of her hit songs from the past, and a few of those released in the last five years.

The show ended at midnight, and no one was in doubt that Iryn has still got it. Swangz promised that the Timeless Concert will be an annual show, with the public having the chance to choose which timeless artiste gets to headline each edition.

If this be Iryn’s very last concert – God forbid – she should pat herself on the back for a job perfectly executed.

atiluknathan@gmail.com