September concert event details
On 27 September, the wide esplanade of the Palais des Congrès in Brazzaville will switch to concert-mode as rising singer-rapper Lema takes over for a night promised to “passion and authenticity” by organisers and the artist himself (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, event flyer).
- September concert event details
- A voice of the new Congolese urban sound
- Setlist mixing hits and future releases
- Beyond the stage: food, art, and community
- Friends and special guests on deck
- From Zoko Village to global ambitions
- What tickets mean for local culture and youth
- Eyes on the esplanade
- Digital outreach and next steps
The show marks the headline return of a performer only 21 yet already seen as a future standard bearer of Congolese pop. Tickets, priced from 5 000 FCFA, went on sale in mid-August and have been moving fast, venue staff confirm by phone.
A voice of the new Congolese urban sound
Born Leavy Max Amour Itoua, Lema grew up absorbing the harmonies of his uncles’ group M&F before experimenting on garage software in Makélélé. That blend of family folklore and digital beats underpins his mission: “carry today’s Congo without forgetting yesterday’s drums,” he tells local bloggers.
Since his debut set in 2011 at a neighbourhood fête, the self-taught multi-instrumentalist has racked up studio sessions with producers Noiiz April and Zeus Million, an EP, three singles and a viral live clip. Each release pushes the conversation on Congolese urban music a notch further.
Setlist mixing hits and future releases
Fans arriving in late afternoon will be greeted by familiar choruses. Mboka na nga, Zoko Village and Na ba rythmes ya mboka have become unavoidable on radio taxis. Lema’s team hints that the show will also premiere two tracks from his 2026 album, still under CMG.
In rehearsal videos shared on his Instagram story, the band stretches the highlife-tinged break of Dolisie tombée into an eight-minute jam, leaving room for a brass section recruited among the best students of the National School of Arts. Expect swing, says musical director Raffy.
Beyond the stage: food, art, and community
The esplanade will double as a village square. Local chefs are preparing saka-saka cones, grilled tilapia and fresh ginger juice; artisans from Ouenzé plan to showcase textile prints. A dedicated corner will let fans buy Lema’s limited tee featuring a stylised ngongi bell drawn by illustrator Marky.
Because many attendees will commute by bus, organisers negotiated extended STPU lines until 01:00 and partnered with a payment startup so tickets, drinks and merchandise can be settled via QR code. The goal, management says, is “a modern show rooted in Brazzaville’s everyday reality”.
Friends and special guests on deck
Rumours of surprise appearances keep social media buzzing. Confirmed so far is Djam Kiss, whose Afrobeats high energy contrasts with Lema’s more narrative flow yet lines up perfectly for their upcoming joint single. Several voices from the 42 Team collective may also grab the microphone.
Speaking to public broadcaster Télé Congo, Lema insisted the invite list celebrates friendship, not hype. “We all started in the same backyard studios,” he said. “Sharing this big stage is a thank-you.” The comment resonated with fans eager for an artistic scene that plays as a united front.
From Zoko Village to global ambitions
Industry watchers say the forthcoming album, still untitled, already interests streaming curators beyond Central Africa. The climb started with the EP Zoko Village in 2020; its lead single reached 300,000 YouTube views without paid promotion, a respectable score for a newcomer working outside major-label circuits.
Further credibility came when Lema was selected for the showcase segment of the Pan-African Music Festival, earning praise from veteran arranger Nganga Edo, who saluted his “rigour and curiosity”. Those qualities will be tested again on 27 September, this time before thousands rather than pundits.
What tickets mean for local culture and youth
Concerts of that scale remain rare in Brazzaville outside Christmas season. Cultural economist Brice-Michel Mabiala explains that a successful turnout could reassure sponsors and spark a virtuous cycle of live programming. “If five thousand young people buy a seat, the market suddenly looks viable,” he observes.
Authorities are following the case closely. The Ministry of Culture, which granted logistical support and security reinforcements, hopes the event will underline government efforts to boost creative industries under the national development plan. Officials stress that sanitary measures and crowd flow protocols will match international recommendations.
Eyes on the esplanade
Two weeks out, the concrete terraces around the Palace already echo with sound-checks. Evening commuters slow their motorbikes to glimpse the light rigs, a little preview of the mood that could seize Brazzaville on show night. For many, it feels like a collective breath.
Whether you come for the hits, the guest stars, the food stalls or simply to claim space under the open sky, 27 September promises more than entertainment. It is a statement that Congolese youth culture is vibrant, ambitious and ready to set its own tempo.
Digital outreach and next steps
Right after the concert, a behind-the-scenes mini-documentary will drop on Lema’s YouTube channel, while selected tracks will stream exclusively on Boomplay for one week. Such digital roll-outs aim to extend the evening’s buzz internationally and help finance further shows in Pointe-Noire and Dolisie before a possible limited vinyl pressing.
