TAKEAWAYS

• Major stars demand massive crowds and specific riders, requiring venues to be nearly sold out before they fly in.
• Alex Muhangi spilled the tea on why superstars like Chris Brown and Beyonce rarely grace Ugandan stages.
• Uganda’s habit of buying tickets at the door makes it tough to meet the strict pre-sale demands of global icons.

Alex Muhangi has opened up about the challenges of bringing major international musicians such as Chris Brown, Beyoncé and Rihanna to Uganda, explaining that the costs and demands involved make it difficult to organise such performances.

Speaking during an interview with Frank Ntambi, Muhangi was asked whether he had considered bringing some of the world’s biggest music stars to Uganda. He explained that while they have been trying to bring international comedians, securing major musicians is a much bigger challenge because of their expensive requirements.

Using Chris Brown as an example, Muhangi revealed that the singer comes with a technical rider and several conditions that must be met before he agrees to perform in Africa.

He explained that Chris Brown demands three shows whenever he comes to perform, with tickets expected to be at least 90% sold out before the performances.

However, he noted that Uganda’s ticket-buying culture presents another challenge, as many concertgoers prefer purchasing tickets at the entrance rather than paying in advance through online platforms.

“They’re so sensitive that even when you pay what he has asked for, he still wants the venue fully packed with fans,” he said.

Muhangi further explained that international artists of Chris Brown’s calibre prefer travelling as part of a tour rather than making a single trip to perform in one country. This is because Africa is a long-distance destination for them, and they need sufficient reason to make the journey worthwhile.