East African musicians to livestream performances this Saturday

Both artists say they are determined to connect with fans through music and give them positivity and laughter during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

"I’m expecting to entertain and take away the stress of this pandemic from my fans," Mugabi told Music In Africa. "The concept is new to everyone and it seems a bit awkward to perform live for someone you cannot see. It’s good on the other hand because it means that all those that pay for the concert will be enjoying it.

"So I’m not as nervous as I would have been when performing for a live performance where sometimes you notice people who are struggling to enjoy the music."

Mugabi said his social media following had grown considerably since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. "My fan base has dramatically grown during this pandemic period given that my style of music requires time and concentration to be enjoyed."

Tom Close said: "The concert is not a source of revenue, it will be a way of connecting with my fans. I believe that with proper infrastructure in place, online events may be more cost-effective and easy to put on compared to the usual concerts."

Tom Close will stream the concert via his YouTube channel and Instagram page.

Mugabi's concert has been organised by Ugandan tech and entertainment company Fezah and will be live via Zoom. Tickets are going for 5 000 Ugandan shillings ($1.30).