Why Major Events Failed Last Year — And How We Can Do Better

Let’s face it: many of the big-ticket events last year didn’t live up to the hype. From the highly anticipated Madaraka Festival—US Edition to Sol Fest, Blankets and Wine, and Churchill’s Cross Over, the letdowns came thick and fast. But why did this happen? And more importantly, how can we prevent a repeat in the future? Let’s dig into the reasons behind these failures and explore actionable solutions.


What Went Wrong?

1. Political Instability and Security Lapses

One of the biggest culprits was the political unrest that rocked the country. The so-called ‘occupy thugs’ disrupted events, turning them into political battlegrounds rather than safe spaces for entertainment. For instance, Walker Town and Sol Fest had their share of gate-crashing incidents. While some organizers responded by letting intruders in to avoid escalating violence, the lack of proactive measures was glaring.

Solution:

  • Proactive Security Planning: Event organizers should prioritize investing in robust security measures. This includes vetting entry, deploying trained personnel, and collaborating with local law enforcement.
  • Pre-Event Risk Assessments: Conduct thorough evaluations of political climates and potential threats well before the event date.

2. Misplaced Sponsor Priorities

Some sponsors poured their budgets into pleasing artists rather than ensuring fan safety and overall event quality. For example, splurging over Ksh60 million on artists like Rema and Diamond Platnumz while neglecting to allocate Ksh5 million to security left fans vulnerable.

Solution:

  • Balanced Budgeting: Sponsors must strike a balance between artist hospitality and critical logistics like security and crowd management.
  • Fan-Centric Approach: Remember, the audience is the backbone of any event. Their experience and safety should take precedence.

3. Poor Execution by Event Managers

Event managers, tasked with logistics, failed to adapt to the early warning signs. The chaos at Walker Town was an indicator that other events needed contingency plans, yet most failed to act.

Solution:

  • Contingency Planning: Create adaptive plans that can be activated in response to emerging challenges.
  • Industry Collaboration: Event planners should share insights and strategies to tackle shared challenges like security and sound issues.

4. Overexposure of Artists

Some events miscalculated artist appearances. For instance, Glen Washington’s arrival three weeks before his concert reduced the buzz, as fans already had ample opportunities to see him.

Solution:

  • Strategic Artist Scheduling: Keep artist appearances limited and exclusive to build anticipation.
  • Digital Buzz Management: Use social media wisely to tease performances without overexposing the artist.

5. Backstage Drama

Unprofessional handling of backstage incidents, like Willy Paul’s wrangles or Joel Lwaga’s no-show at Churchill’s Cross Over, tarnished both artists’ and organizers’ reputations.

Solution:

  • Professional Conflict Management: Hire experienced stage managers to resolve issues discreetly.
  • Clear Contracts: Ensure all parties understand their roles and expectations well in advance.

Learning from Success Stories

While many events faltered, others set examples worth emulating. The Sean Paul concert, for instance, stood out for its flawless execution. What did they do differently?

  • Sound Quality: Despite weather challenges, the event’s sound team delivered impeccable results. Organizers should benchmark against such successes.
  • Marketing: The event generated excitement without overexposing Sean Paul, keeping the audience eager for the big day.

Key Takeaways for 2025

  1. Invest in Security: Allocate sufficient funds to crowd control, screening, and emergency response teams.
  2. Focus on Fans: Every decision, from budgeting to logistics, should enhance the attendee experience.
  3. Collaborate Across the Industry: Share best practices and pool resources for common challenges.
  4. Benchmark Internationally: Learn from global events that successfully tackle weather, security, and logistical hurdles.
  5. Manage Artist Availability: Limit pre-event appearances to maintain fan anticipation.
  6. Handle Issues Professionally: Resolve backstage drama away from public eyes to protect reputations.

Looking Ahead

The failures of last year offer valuable lessons for the Kenyan event industry. By prioritizing security, planning proactively, and adopting a fan-first approach, we can restore the reputation of our events and set a new standard for excellence.

Let’s make 2025 the year Kenyan events shine on the global stage!

Leave a reply

Sell anything you can imagine from event tickets (for your festival, conference, farm fair, concert, museum), music, books, fashion and beyond. We believe in empowering your business to explore all your creative ideas and uncover what truly works best for you.

© 2021 Ticket Baze. All Rights Reserved.