I arrived at Jade Hekima Lawn at 2:30 pm, expecting that the Love and Ballads event had already begun. To my surprise, the event had not started yet, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

As I settled in, the ambience immediately set the tone. It was warm, inviting, and filled with anticipation. I could already sense that the evening would be unforgettable.

By 3:00 pm, the sound tests began, and they were nothing short of entertaining in themselves.

Mackinlay performance at the Love and Ballads event at Jade Hekima Lawn on August 24,2025.

Photo credit: COURTESY

The drummer synced effortlessly with the music from the DJ, and soon after, the rest of the instrumentalists joined in.

Even though it was just a rehearsal, the energy was contagious. I found myself already enjoying the serenade before the show had even officially started.

At exactly 5:00 pm, the event kicked off with Mackinlay delivering an electrifying opening performance that had the audience singing along.

He then welcomed Lisa Oduor-Noah to the stage, who set the bar high with her powerful rendition of Safe, hitting breathtakingly high notes that had the crowd in awe.

Lisa Oduor - Noah performs at the Love and Ballads event on August 24,2025.

Photo credit: COURTESY

Shortly after, Mackinlay invited Brian Sigu, who completely transformed the mood with a soul-stirring performance.

From the moment he began singing, his passion and energy threatened to blow the roof off. His delivery felt spiritual and organic, leaving many in the audience visibly moved.

Lisa returned to the stage with an hour-long set that beautifully blended new-school sounds with timeless classics. At one point, her music sparked an impromptu dance train, proving just how connected the audience was to the performance.

Mackinlay, adding his trumpet to the mix, elevated the experience further, creating what could only be described as a musical masterclass.

The evening closed with Brian Sigu’s heartfelt performance celebrating diversity, a piece that tied the entire event together with both nostalgia and unstoppable dancing.

Brian Sigu performs at the Love and Ballads event on August 24,2025.

Photo credit: COURTESY

Reflecting on the event, Mackinlay shares how impressed he was by the Nakuru crowd.

“People are so switched on, so appreciative of what we’re doing,” he says, adding that it was his very first time performing in Nakuru.

He admits that while most events tend to remain in Nairobi, there is immense potential in Nakuru.

“There’s so much we could do out here. I’m definitely looking forward to coming back,” Mackinlay adds.

Event curator Aziz Mola also expresses his excitement about how the evening turned out, noting that what stood out most to him was the reception, explaining that Nakuru is hungry for diverse and high-quality entertainment.

However, he acknowledges that onboarding sponsors had been a challenge, as local businesses were initially hesitant about embracing new experiences.

“This event proves that there is a ready market for live performances in the city,” Aziz confidently says.

Aziz concludes by noting that the vibrant, energetic audience exceeded expectations, signaling that Nakuru is more than ready for a wider variety of cultural and musical experiences.

In the end, Love and Ballads showed that Nakuru is ready for intimate live events.

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