There is something about old-school R&B that makes a crowd forget how old they are.
Play the opening notes of a song people grew up with and suddenly the room becomes a shared memory. Everyone knows the words. Everyone has a favourite line. And whether they are singing perfectly on key or confidently nowhere near it, nobody seems to care.
That is the mood Old School RnB and Friends is bringing back to Kampala this Sunday, September 6, at Mestil Hotel, with Michael Kitanda headlining an evening dedicated to the songs that shaped a generation.
Kitanda will be joined by violinist Debbie, who will add live instrumentation to the familiar sounds, while DJs Anselm, Aludah and Selecta Jay take guests through the evening’s musical journey. Derrick Dasha will host.
The appeal of old-school nights is not simply about hearing songs from another era. It is about participation.
At a time when Kampala’s nightlife is dominated by Amapiano, Afrobeats and electronic-heavy sets, throwback events offer something different — a room where people know the music well enough to sing along to entire verses, not just the hook.
For millennials, it is a return to the soundtrack of their formative years. For Gen Z, meanwhile, these events offer a chance to discover the music that existed before streaming algorithms, viral challenges and TikTok helped determine what became the next big hit.
That cross-generational appeal has made old-school experiences increasingly attractive as social occasions, giving brands an opportunity to plug into moments built around music, friendship and nostalgia.
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Tusker Cider Brand Manager Sandra Againe says the event captures the kind of easy-going social experience associated with the brand.
“Tusker Cider is about creating refreshing moments that people can enjoy together, and experiences like Old School RnB and Friends give us the perfect environment to do that. It is about good music, good company and enjoying the moment without overcomplicating it,” she says.
Baileys brings a softer, more indulgent touch to the evening, complementing the music with an experience centred on connection and familiar pleasures.
“For us, it is really about those moments of indulgence and connection. Music has a way of bringing people together, and when you combine that with good conversation, great company and a Baileys serve, you create an experience people want to remember,” says Baileys Brand Manager Nancy Nansikombi.
And perhaps that is the magic of an old-school R&B night.
This Sunday, Mestil becomes another meeting point between nostalgia and the present, with Michael Kitanda, Debbie and the DJs providing the soundtrack.