The Ben fans disappointed as Bruce Melodie fans celebrate
Music lovers gathered at BK Arena in Kigali for a historic concert that brought together two of Rwanda’s biggest artists, Bruce Melodie and The Ben. The show, known as “The Nu-Year Groove”, was meant to welcome fans into the new year with great music and excitement.
However, when the night ended, fans left with different feelings. While Bruce Melodie fans went home happy and praising their artist, many The Ben fans left disappointed, saying the performance did not meet their expectations.
A concert that crossed into the new year
The concert was special because it crossed from January 1 to January 2, 2026. It started at 9:21 PM and ended at 2:15 AM. This was the second edition of The Nu-Year Groove, an event organized by The Ben to celebrate music and the start of a new year with his fans.
The show was divided into two main parts.
The first part featured up-and-coming and popular artists, warming up the crowd. The second and most awaited part was reserved for Bruce Melodie and The Ben.
Bruce Melodie impresses the crowd
Bruce Melodie stepped onto the stage at 11:05 PM and performed for about one hour and 20 minutes. He sang many of his hit songs and kept the crowd excited.
Fans inside BK Arena, which can host more than 10,000 people, danced, sang along, and cheered loudly. Many people later said Bruce Melodie gave strong energy and controlled the stage well.
After the concert, his fans praised him on social media, saying he “owned the night” and delivered a performance worth remembering.
The Ben performance leaves mixed reactions
The Ben came on stage at around 12:50 AM. He performed several songs and took time to thank different people, including Bruce Melodie, whom he had invited to the show.
However, some fans said the performance felt too slow and less energetic. Others complained about the long waiting time, saying they had arrived at BK Arena as early as 4:00 PM and felt tired by the time The Ben finished.
Many fans left before the concert ended, which was at 2:15 AM. Some openly said they were not satisfied with how The Ben performed that night.
Fans reactions after the concert
Outside BK Arena, reactions were clear.
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Bruce Melodie fans left smiling, singing songs, and praising their artist.
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The Ben fans expressed disappointment, saying they expected more energy and better stage connection.
Music analysts say such reactions are common when two big artists share one stage, as fans naturally compare performances.
Why the concert still matters
Despite the mixed reactions, the Nu-Year Groove concert remains important for Rwanda’s music industry. Bringing two top artists together on one stage is rare and shows growth in local entertainment.
Events like this help promote Rwandan music internationally and create opportunities for young artists.
For more on Rwanda’s entertainment industry, visit www.rwandamusic.com
For global music concert trends, see www.billboard.com
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