I have this habit of always being late for events. My friends and I have already gotten used to it. However, I really wanted to be on time for this one. My first ever Fadhilee’s Garage. I mean, how would you look if you were late for your first date?

According to the email instructions, I was to enter a black gate in a Nairobi residential area I wasn’t too familiar with. Thanks to my taxi driver and Google Maps, we arrived at the marked spot at exactly 6pm – okay 6.10. I stepped out of the car armed with the KWETU button on my denim jacket and ready for some sweet live music.

Even though it’s called Fadhilee’s Garage, I didn’t actually expect to land at a garage next to a maisonette. Instead of greasy spare parts and piles of storage boxes, this one had vinyl records plastered on the walls, colourful carpets and kitenge cushions on the floor. The early birds had already occupied most of the small intimate space. At the furthest end was a miniature stage with a drumset, acoustic guitar, microphone and an upright piano on the left.

I took a seat right next to the stage, leaning on the white garage wall. Guess you can call it front row (plus it was the only available space with back support). That’s after I ordered white coffee and mud pie made by Mama Watoto. Strangely, mine had dark brown chocolate instead of mud spilling from the sides.

As if on cue, Fadhilee Itulya aka Baba Watoto hopped onto the stage to make a short and sweet introductory speech. He passed on three important values that mark his monthly intimate gig: Love. Respect. Repeat. Then he gave the most wonderful bio of the first performer – the first reason I was here. I would have been blushing if I were Serro too.

After an appropriate disclaimer, she sang and talked a lot alongside her companion – a black guitar. The Sauti Academy alumna told us the stories behind each original song and even made us sing along like a choir. They were mostly heartbreak songs, which she insists were inspired by her friends’ lives. My favorite was Mtumwa, which is about being a slave to a lover you know you should probably let go of.

The Kenyan Afrosoul singer was a breath of fresh air on a Sunday with her natural humour. Even with a cold, Mama Africa sounded heavenly with her breathy voice. During her final song Okello, I closed my eyes and sang along to the Luo love ballad. My eyes got as wet just like the first time I watched the emotional music video.

After the first performance of the evening, we took a short commercial break. You know how they say most ladies take forever in the bathroom? This time I had a good reason. Fadhilee and Mama Watoto’s was a museum of bright pop culture photos and funny memes plastered on the walls. Anyone who reads Swedish here?

Above the toilet was an array of cool glasses that hang casually in a mesh frame. I was so ready to study this specimen like a scientist – until I read the “do not touch” sign. So I humbly went back to my front row cushion to wait for the next performance.

H_art The Band looked pretty laid back that day considering their usual eccentric wear. With no keyboardist or drum doctor, it was just the three of them on stage unplugged. Their different voices harmonized so beautifully you’d think they were once an acapella group.

They mentioned they had too many songs to perform in just 20 minutes – which is true. So they asked us for song requests and went along with the flow. Wachira laid down some smooth poetic lines when he was not making us laugh, Mordecai sang in his underrated golden voice while Kenchez played sweet melodies on the acoustic guitar. It was a verse of Lovephobic here, a verse of Masheesha there – without Bensoul of course.

I later had a Conversation with them about their very underrated 2018 hit with ZJ Heno (which I feel deserves more recognition).

Unlike Serro, their songs perfectly explained my love life. They spoke about matters of the h_art and the mysteries of longing for somebody. According to a head count, the majority of the people there were single. Yes, including the guy seated next to me.

During the breaks, we would pass a straw hat around – our point of connection. The attendees gladly dropped in cash notes as donations. It was more like a thank you to the artists who sacrificed their Sunday evening to give us a free live show.

The third and last acts of the evening were American students from the world-renowned Berklee School of Music. The band of young musicians played their individual instruments. Meanwhile, the only girl in the group sang covers of classic American hits. Just by looking around, you could tell everyone was impressed by the bass player’s skill who played it cool and easy.

For their final song, they called Serro and H_art The Band back for a jam session. They had to squeeze together on the tiny stage to perform a freestyle remix of Bob Marley’s Jamming. This was the Berklee singer’s moment to finally show off her undercover piano skills before their seconds of fame were over.

It was 8pm and we still wanted more. Due to public demand, Fadhilee gave us one final song. He didn’t bother to change his vest, sweatpants and crocs. He was at home after all.

This time he called his accomplice Emma the drummer on stage. It was now the world musician’s turn to play the guitar, sing passionately and teach us some Luhya in his heartbreak song F(u)lora. Yeah, that’s track number 4 in his debut album KWETU – which is the epitome of Africaness.

The coolest thing about Fadhilee’s Garage, other than the cash bar, was that no one was recording videos or Insta stories during the show – except the event organiser. All our attention was on being present and absorbing the live music. We were on a date – no phones allowed.

I think that’s how most live events should be. Enjoying homemade snacks, having new conversations, singing along to (un)familiar songs and connecting with the artists intimately. It makes me wonder what I’ve been doing with my life since 2016. Every talented live Kenyan musician worth watching has performed at Fadhilee’s Garage, from Mandela to Ach13ng. It’s truly one of Nairobi’s best-kept secret.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnQJUIaBMlg&w=560&h=315]

This was definitely the most intimate gig I have been to (Sofar Nairobi is next on the list). Just like Sofar, it’s extremely easy to attend thanks to Fadhilee’s new website where you just register to attend. With new live performers on the first Sunday of every month, we have to RSVP as quickly as possible because of limited spaces. Oh and now the secret garage gig has moved to the brand new KWETU Space which I can’t wait to experience.

P.S. I promise not to be late.