Kenge Kenge to replace Konono No 1

Cancellations are always unfortunate. Regrettably, Konono No 1 have been forced to cancel all their European gigs this summer due to visa-related difficulties. We received word about the first cancellations a while back, but were ensured that this would not affect their Øya performance. It turns out, however, that a cancellation of their entire European tour is unavoidable – see statement from their agent below. Over the past few days we’ve worked very hard to find a suitable replacement, and it’s now clear that the band Kenge Kenge from Kenya will be coming to the Øya Festival.

KENGE KENGE (KE)
Kenge Kenge is a band from the western parts of Kenya, with a background in the country’s traditional music scene. Originally they called themselves Kenge Kenge Orutu System when they formed more ten years ago. They employ traditional instruments like luo orutu, opro, and nyatiti, but have invented new ways to use them in their music. The band draws on the East African genre benga and makes material that is sure to make you want to dance. It’s up-tempo, with exciting rhythms and lovely singing in perfect union – in other words, highly suitable for partying and celebration. In Norwegian record stores, the sampler ‘Introducing Kenge Kenge’, which was released last year, is available. At Øya you’ll get a chance to see them live, as was also the case at Roskilde. We agree with the exclamation of the Canadian music mag Exclaim!: “Stop the virtual presses! Kenge Kenge is your summertime groove.”

We’ve received the following sad announcement from Konono No 1’s agent:

Dear all,
we are sorry to inform you that Konono no 1 and Kasai Allstars summer tour are cancelled. As you may know from press (please find a summary of press articles on the subject at the end of this email) Divano production has been facing several difficulties in granting EU and UK access for both Konono and Kasai Allstars.
After several months struggling to process Schengen and British visas in order to complete a promising Congotronics tour ( both concerned tours were related on many levels), although we had a strong support from our partners (booking agencies and promoters), and media interest and pressure on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa and abroad, we ended up with the following balance:
Since january, Konono members have applied for new passports for the old ones were full of visas. Unfortunately, the Congolese government is not issuing passports for several months. The artists obtained from the Congolese ministry of culture diplomatic passports, Nevertheless French embassy refused their visa application and Swedish embassy has not issued visas until today, which leads inevitably to cancelling the whole tour. Kasai Allstars applied for schengen visas two months ago which have been granted for friday 20th June- 4 days before their departure to Europe – this fact excluding the possibility of applying for UK visas (UK being delivered by British embassy in Nairobi -Kenya)
While not having granted visas , flights reservation for the artists were lost a few days ago, travelling costs doubled, and the band would have to stay 15 more days off in Europe. Taking in consideration the fact that British embassies in Europe do not deliver visas to non EU residents, Kasai are not able to perform at WOMAD, which would have covered a part of the days off costs.
This is just an example to illustrate the desastrous financial situation of the tour. In fact, Konono’s and Kasai tours combined, extra costs already invested due to visa problems and enormously increased expected costs vs no entry make supporting already truncated tours impossible.
It is not the first time Divano production is hit by this reality and we doubt being able to continue in our activities, due to a financial collapse.