It is not every day that certain music genres are thrown into a celebration in Uganda.
Yet, that’s what Otters Bar in Kololo served when they hosted the Gold Crossed String Dusters, a band of collectives. It is made up of expatriates and well-wishers, some of whom have lived in Uganda longer while others could be in transition.
The Gold Crossed String Dusters brought a unique blend of rock and folk music to Otters Bar, captivating the audience with their diverse backgrounds and musical talents. The band’s performance showcased the power of music in bringing people from different walks of life together, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere at the venue.
Otters is known for its diverse audience, which includes diplomats, Kampala’s executives, and socialites.
The Gold Crossed String Dusters performance was one of those offerings that got the place awkwardly filled, with many of the patrons choosing to stand rather than sit.
But the night started with rock mixes, thanks to the in-house DJ, Andy Skillz; from electronic music that is catchin’ fire at the moment to classic rock songs from artistes such as Avril Lavigne, MatchBox 20, and Daughtry, he managed to keep the music purists as well as the wannabes engaged.
The vibrant atmosphere that Andy Skillz’s rock mixes created set the ideal tone for the evening and drew in a diverse group of people, including music lovers, partygoers, and even some unexpected attendees. As the night progressed, anticipation grew for The Gold Crossed String Dusters’ performance.
The band, which usually performs covers of famous folk songs and a few pop ballads, took to the stage a few minutes before 11 p.m. As for many of such performances, the set-up was easier: an acoustic guitar, ukelele, electronic guitar, bass, and piano.
They took turns when it came to singing lead vocals.
A large number of the songs played during the night may not have been prominent with most local music consumers, but Otters’ loyal clientele understood the music, jumping up and down in groups and seemingly holding imaginary kilts.
But music brings people together; soon they hit songs such as Asaf Avidan’s One Day, Amy Winehouse’s Valerie, and the resistance song made popular by the Netflix drama Money Heist Bella Ciao.
It is hard to know if many people actually understand that the song is a resistance song from Italy. Most of the time, especially for the past six years or more, people dance to it without really understanding the weight the song has in the hearts of Italians.
They danced the night away, and for Kampala, which has gone back to a city that never sleeps, the party continued even past the band’s performance.