The long-awaited performance by Lauryn Hill left many revelers with a sour taste, after a disappointing weekend for the Walker Town Festival.
The event which had been hyped for a number of months, was a flop to underscore the old adage that even the best-laid schemes, often go awry.
On Saturday, a stampede and cases of robbery and pickpocketing ran supreme for the fun seekers who braved hours of rain to see Nigerian A-lister Rema perform. Kenyan Bien brought Bensoul but the extra pressure did not subside.
On Sunday, confusion reigned supreme as the rains continued to wreak havoc, and despite braving the rain for a second day, Ms Lauryn who was the headliner, left late for the stage performing at 3 am on Monday morning, with Kenya’s Nyashisnki a no show.
In efforts to simmer down the backlash, event organisers have sent a statement of apology to all affected, with promises of refunding 100 per cent to Day Two ticket holders.
“We sincerely apologize to all our valued festival goers, suppliers, artistes, and stakeholders for the disruptions experienced during day two of the WalkerTown festival. In light of these circumstances, we will be issuing a 100% refund to all ticket holders for Day Two of the WalkerTown 2024 Festival within the next two weeks. This is a reflection of our commitment to fairness and respect for the trust you placed in us,” read the statement.
The organisers have blamed unforeseen technical issues, with the downpour experienced during the weekend taking a huge chunk of the blame.
“Despite our best efforts, unforeseen technical challenges—particularly due to the rain and other conditions—affected our sound system, causing significant delays. This resulted in the delayed performance by Miss Lauryn Hill and, regrettably, the cancellation of our brand partner Nyashinski’s performance, which deeply impacted the overall festival experience,” stated the organisers.