Tracy Melon. PHOTO: Joan Nassazi

The first Sunday of November saw Kampala’s party lovers flock to the Hockey Grounds, Lugogo in Kampala for the 24th edition of the Roast and Rhyme festival, and what a spectacle it was.

Dubbed Soul on Strings, the event was a grand celebration of music and feasting on all kinds of meat.

The scent of grilled meat filled the air as groups of friends lounged under tents, sat on mats sipping cold drinks and swaying to the rhythms of live music. Outdoor games kept revellers laughing and bonding. The event was packed, which meant that private moments were hard to come by. So, a few couples got to romantic heights out in the open, much earlier in the day.

Aziz Azion, Nince Henry, Vyroota, and Aaronx all gave incredible sets that had the crowd singing along, dancing and recording memories on their phones. Yet, amid all the brilliance, it was the new-girl-on-the-block Tracy Melon emerged as the undisputed star of the night.

Young and vibrant, she captured the audience from the first note, her soulful melodies echoing through the grounds. She owned the stage, commanding attention with her charisma, effortless vocals, and authentic connection with the crowd.

Many revellers confessed they had not come specifically to watch her, and by the end of her set, it was clear she had become the festival’s heartbeat.