Rarely has the transformation of an artist been as stark as it was when watching Webi perform live and backed by a great competent band. He was fantastic! At his recent album launch at the Alliance Francais auditorium, Webi directed traffic with great command, leading the musicians like a seasoned professional and commanding the audience with great poise. He was confident and self-assured, and it didn’t hurt that he really did sound fantastic.

His opening set was classic. There’s a magical feel stepping into an auditorium encountering one man seated on stage, carefree and strumming his guitar. You become an audience of one, almost as though you stepped right into his thoughts. And with Webi already being one of the most likeable people you might ever meet, sitting in a room “alone” with him just amplified the enchantment.
 
This acoustic set included past favourites Outside My Window and The Place (with a killer falsetto), as well as songs such as God is Able and an acoustically spiced urban remake of the classic hymn I Need Thee – that last one got the eager crowd energized.

The band joined in a little later for what Webi referred to as “the fun part”. And trust us, when backed by the likes of Blackman and The Villagers, not to mention Sara and Wambura Mitaru on BGV’s, you really can’t go wrong. Together they took us through a kaleidoscope of amazing sounds and rhythms. From the very poppy love song You Are My Forever and the powerful and super-inspirational Dreams, to the groovy Believe Me and the radio-ready urban jam Hands Up, it was refreshing to see Webi so alive.

Good friend Mbuvi added oomph on recent single Mbingu na Nchi, while Chit-Chat whiz Rigga was cleverly used on the up-tempo Dance, another repeat-button jam in the making. Infused with dancehall and with dances led by both Rigga and Webi himself, the audience, which by this juncture was already on their feet and grooving along, no doubt got their money’s worth.

Webi live was pure delight. And if this is what to expect from this award-winning artist in days to come, it’ll most certainly be worth-while.

Webi Introduces Himself

Solo Acoustic Set Gets Going

Webi Backed By The Mitaru Sisters

Wambura Mitaru

Dan Munyoki

The Villagers' Asaph & Ken Share A Moment

Webi Consults With Band Leader Blackman

Rigga Steps In On Dance

Webi Watches As Rigga Schools The Audience

Webi Entertains

Webi Does The Thunder Clap

Mbuvi Belts It Out

Blackman On Keys

You Go Boy!!

Ken Nyaga

Asaph Uzele On Bass

Mbuvi Joins Webi

An Animated Mbuvi

Sara Mitaru

Webi Appreciates His Audience

Thanks To The Sponsors

Part Of The Crew

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