This is not your ordinary music festival. It’s the first punk-rock festival to ever happen in Kenya, and Africa. Whether you love heavy metal or you’re a Linkin Park fan, We’re Loud Fest is your jam.
But what is punk rock?
If you lived in Kenya in the 2000s, you probably discovered rock music through Avril Lavigne, Paramore and Green Day on TV. Oh the good old days. And then X FM came along, playing all the pop rock you could think of.
However, punk rock is different. It’s a fast rebellious style of rock that emerged way back in the mid-1970s. Built on a hard DIY spirit and anti-establishment attitude, punk is about making noise, making a point, and making itself heard. Basically, rebellious music with purpose.
It straddles the ragged line between pop rock and heavy metal.
It’s not as soft as pop rock. But unlike metal, you can actually hear the words.
We Are Loud!
Welcome We’re Loud Fest – a nomadic event held in a different country every year. Started in Athens Greece in September 2015, 2025 marks 10 years of Loud. Past editions have rocked Greece, Turkey, Italy, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Vietnam, and the USA.
Why bring We’re Loud to Africa? According to Pete Slovenly co-founder of We’re Loud Fest, “We decided to do it in Africa because we have never done one in Africa yet. And we want to do it on every continent before we die.
And also because to us, Africa is the real source of rock and roll.”
A brief black history of rock music
Like techno music, the roots of rock music are African American. Pete shares that rock and roll started with gospel music in black churches in the 1950s. Forget Elvis Presley; Sister Rosetta Tharpe is the mother of rock and roll.
“Sister Rosetta Thorpe, the big lady with the guitar, have you ever seen her? You’ve got to look her up, she’s amazing. She predates even Little Richard.”
At its core, Rock and roll is built with African rhythms. Because all (good) music is black music.
A Band called Death
That’s why the headliners of We’re Loud Fest Africa is DEATH – the first all-Black punk band.
This will be their second time performing at We’re Loud Fest, and their first time ever in Africa. This year is special as it marks 50 years since the recording of their 1975 album For The Whole World to See. And 25 years since the death of David Hackney — the visionary brother who named the punk-rock band.
They have an interesting history, which is expected for a Band called Death. It’s all documented in this heartwarming documentary worth watching. In case you don’t have 1 ½ hours to spare, here’s a little recap.
The documentary takes us back to the room in Detroit USA where Death was born. In the Motown soul era, the Hackney brothers chose rock and roll instead. And after their father’s untimely death, David took the name “Death” as a way to put a positive spin on grief.
In 1975 they recorded their first rebellious rock album. However, all record labels refused to touch them — not because of the music, but their unusual name. What would you do if you were them?
David stuck to his guns, and Dennis and Bobby stuck to their brother. But eventually, the rejection wore them down so much they shelved the project and started a reggae band.
Then in 2006, something incredible happened
One of Bobby’s sons discovered his father’s forgotten music at an underground punk party. After retrieving the master tapes from their dusty attic, the punk rock album was finally released in 2009 — 34 years later. And Bobby’s sons became musical missionaries for Death as the band Rough Francis.
Since then, Death has toured the world, released new music, and fulfilled David’s bold prophecy:
“One day, the world will come looking for this music.”
Listening to their iconic album reminds me of Black Savage. You know, the Kenyan indie psychedelic rock band of the 1970s which gave us the original version of Kothbiro and the legendary Nyatiti musician Ayub Ogada (back then he was called Job Seda).
Rock music is not new to Kenya, or Africa. Evidence is this Afro-rock compilation from 70s funk and rock records quarried from across the continent.
Pete adds, “I feel like people who like metal should like Death as well. Because it’s punk but it’s also heavy rock and roll. Then just the fact that they’re a historically important band. And they’re recognized there in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC for their contribution to African-American music.”
The unknown children of rock and roll.
The Lineup
There’s two bands that had to be on this African lineup. Death and The Monsters. Death for obvious reasons.
As for the second band, “I had to bring the Monsters because when we did the festival in Vietnam in 2018 I had a moment with the singer of the Monsters, where we made a head-butt agreement that we would do a festival in Africa. And I said, I’m not doing it without you.”
And they’re finally doing it this year. Rock n roll bands have flown in from the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Spain, Argentina, and Mexico. Representing the underground Kenyan rock scene are Powerslide, Crystal Axis, Chovu, and Irony Destroyed, and Last Year’s Tragedy.
Interesting names I know.
And supporting them are DJ BAA, Satan, Hasira Hasara, DJ Raha and vinyl DJs from all over the world.
The crazy schedule
Normally, We’re Loud Fest is a weekend event. But every now and then they go crazy and do it for 10 days in different locations. Like they are in Kenya. Here’s what the schedule looks like:
- 4 days in Nairobi (20-23 November)
- 3 days in Lamu (24-26th November)
- 3 days in Kilifi (27-29 November)
The Nairobi Takeover
Thursday 20 Nov – Opening Party @ Shelter KE
- Live performances by Last Year’s Tragedy, The Try Umphs, Hirnschraube, and Sababu. 9 PM till late.
Friday 21 Nov – SkateJam at The Mall Rooftop
- Featuring Powerslide (KE), Twenty One Children (SA), DJs, and a skate contest with gear prizes.
- Afterparty at Shelter KE with Reverend Beat Man (CH), DJ BAA (KE), and more.
Saturday 22 Nov – MAIN EVENT @ K1 Klub House
- Proto-punk legends DEATH (US), Command 9mm (ES), The Monsters (CH), Crystal Axis (KE), Chovu (KE), Sexfaces (US) live, plus DJs and surprise acts.
If you attend only one event — make it this one.
Sunday 23 Nov – Hangover Lunch @ Red Brick Hotel
- Featuring Bloodshot Bill, Boom Boom Kid, and DJs.
Lamu Tamu
On Monday, the crew will travel together to Lamu Tamu. Out of all the coastal spots, why Lamu?
“So this festival is also a mission to bring musical instruments and equipment and musicians to provide lessons to the kids at the children’s home in Lamu,” Pete explains.
They made friends with Satan (yes, that’s his nickname) — the basketball coach and music coordinator at the children’s home.
The kids had almost no equipment.
We’re Loud Fest is changing that.
They’ve brought a drum kit, bass amp, guitar amp, keyboard, new mixing board and new speakers. And more equipment is arriving from abroad with the festival crew.
When the team lands in Lamu, the children will perform first. Then the bands will play a private show just for them.
“And the other two days that we’re in Lamu, our musicians will give private lessons to the kids. And we couldn’t believe how many signed up. Every instrument you can imagine – somebody wants a lesson.”
The best part? In the afternoons they’ll have a sunset dhow cruise and indoor parties. With vinyl DJs. And live bands.
Someone fly me to Lamu already.
On Thursday 26th November, they’ll screen the documentary A Band called Death at the Terrace Arts Space. Which is one of the best spots to host a film screening in Kilifi.
On Friday and Saturday they’ll have their two main events at Distant Relatives Kilifi from 5pm till late. “Six of the bands that are playing in Nairobi will be there. And then Asili Dub and Afro Simba.”
I was elated to discover these two Kenyan bands will be playing at We’re Loud Fest. Why? In September 2025, they had their big comeback show at Shelter Ke after a 3-year hiatus. Watching them, I felt these guys needed to play at the festival – especially Asili Dub with their taarab meets dub meets rock fusion.
Talk about a dream come true!
“Here in Nairobi, it’s more of a rock fest. But on the coast, we wanted to make sure it’s more eclectic. More of a diverse lineup.”
Expect more than rock from the DJs: Seth spins Latin music, Pete brings soul and funk, and Hasira Hasara… who knows what she’ll play?
If you’ve never attended a punk rock festival in your life, this is it. Whether it’s a rooftop party, hangover lunch or dhow cruise, pick your poison.
Listen to the We’re Loud Africa mixtape to sample the rock bands playing this November. Yes, including Death!
Advance tickets are as low as Ksh 1200. Get your We’re Loud Fest ticket here.
And let’s get loud Africa!
