At a corner inside Agora in Milimani sits a cosy tent. From inside it, music emanates bringing the grounds to life.

The people inside the tent sit transfixed to the man on the keyboard. As his fingers move finding the perfect keys, the women exchange smiles all agreeing that Derrick, is good.

Derrick performs at Upgrade poetry event on August 27, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

He is playing Meghan Trainor and John Legend’’s Like I’m gonna lose you, as the second act in the event.

Such music will mark the better part of the afternoon as different artists get on stage with one aim; to serenade the crowd.

These are the scenes at the Upgrade poetry event; a meeting of different artists based in Nakuru ranging from poets to musicians.

The event that has been in existence for ten years draws out little known acts who later grow to become nationally acclaimed artists.

Read: Upgrade poetry marks 10-year anniversary in style

People like Willie Oeba, Gufy Dox, Nyassh, Priest the Poet and Silweyz among others have all performed at this event.

On this particular Sunday, the theme was old school vibes, something that drew an interesting difference between the millennials and the Gen Zs in the crowd.

When Time lines took to the stage, he cracked the audience up with his pieces reflecting on how society viewed morality a few years ago.

Time lines the poet performing at Upgrade poetry on August 27, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Chotara the poet took the baton from Time lines addressing the communal nature of older folk, that has now been replaced by what he terms as selfish interests.

Chotara the poet during his perfomance at the upgrade poetry event on August 27, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

The heaviness of his piece was lifted by Uba Wilson who was the day’s MC.

Also read: Priest the poet on why artists prefer Nairobi to Nakuru

Uba took the audience down memory lane reminding them of some childhood snacks that were a hit in the ‘90s, sending the millennials into loud laughter while the Gen Zs were thrown into utter confusion.

Uba Wilson at Upgrade poetry on August 27, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

And when Ben Karimi gave a music interlude, nothing could stop the audience from jamming to his rendition of Eric Wainaina’s Ritwa Riaku and John Ndichu’s Cucu wa Gakunga.

Ben Karimi excites the crown with Kikuyu songs during the Upgrade poetry event at Agora on August 27, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHI/MTAA WANGU

Wambui the poet followed soon with a poem to her past lover and a nostalgic piece on how romantic relationships were held in high esteem back in the day.

Wambui the poet performs during Upgrade poetry at Agora on August 27, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

As the curtain fell on the fun-filled event, Uba mentioned the need for more female spoken word artists, saying there are countless opportunities for them internationally.

“We recently had Nyassh the poet being crowned the fourth Slam Queen in the Poets You Should Know (PYSK) competition. There is room for other women like Wambui and others to excel in spoken word art,” Uba added.

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Upgrade poetry: The perfect mix of good music and intriguing poems

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Reitz Mureithi