Tom Close Cancels Concert That Was Set to Replace Tems' Kigali Show
Mar 11, 2025
Tom Close had planned a concert to replace Tems' canceled show, but the event has now been permanently called off.
Rwandan artist Tom Close has confirmed that the concert he was organizing—initially named “The Show to Restore Pride After Tems’ Cancellation”—has been permanently canceled due to logistical challenges.
The event was announced after Nigerian singer Tems canceled her Kigali concert, which was scheduled for March 22, 2025. Tems cited political tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo as the reason for calling off her performance.
Following her withdrawal, Tom Close took the lead in organizing a new concert that would showcase local Rwandan artists, giving fans an alternative event to enjoy.
Tom Close Confirms Concert Cancellation
Speaking to IGIHE, Tom Close explained that the concert had to be called off due to insufficient preparation time.
“We had made some progress in organizing it, but we realized that a lot more was required to make it happen as we had envisioned. Given the remaining time, it was impossible to meet those requirements, so we decided to cancel it completely. There are no plans to reschedule it.”
When Tom Close first announced the concert, it gained massive support on social media, with many Rwandans backing his initiative. Even Dr. Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdallah, Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and Arts Promotion, acknowledged that the Ministry was aware of the event and was willing to support it.
The concert was initially set to take place at BK Arena on March 22, 2025—the same date Tems was originally scheduled to perform—before it was ultimately called off.
