Nairobi’s vibrant music culture took centre stage during Spotify’s Greasy Tunes, a 12-day cultural event held at Heltz House from July 15 to 26, 2026. The festival went beyond a traditional music event, creating a dynamic space where music intertwined with food, fashion, football, podcasts, and community life.

Connecting Nairobi’s Creative Tapestry

Spotify designed Greasy Tunes to reflect how music is deeply embedded in Nairobi’s daily rhythms. The city’s young listeners, especially those aged 18 to 24, accounted for over half of all streams, with peak listening times between 6pm and 9pm. Agnes Opondo, Spotify’s Artists & Labels Partnerships Lead for East Africa, highlighted that the festival mirrored the existing connections music fosters across Nairobi’s creative sectors.

Week One: A Cultural Warm-Up

  • The event launched the Greasy Tunes Café and Hotspot, turning Heltz House into a year-round creative hub.
  • The Kitchen Opening Party with The BAG demonstrated Nairobi’s longstanding fusion of food and music.
  • Studio 18’s Karibu Night merged fashion and sound, featuring the Greasy Tunes jersey and scarf alongside performances by Buruklyn Boyz.
  • Podcast culture was spotlighted through collaborations like The Culture Club recording with Eric Musyoka and The 30% Podcast, reflecting the growing importance of conversations around music.
  • Sunday’s ‘Smocha Sundays’ brought together gospel music, football watch parties, and live recordings, uniting faith, sport, and entertainment.

Week Two: Expanding Creativity and Community

  • ‘The Mains’ phase continued to build on the festival’s momentum with workshops, pop-ups, and exclusive fan events.
  • Highlights included Gufy’s Room, which explored the synergy between poetry, storytelling, and music.
  • Nyashinski’s Premium Fan Event and the EQUAL Workshop celebrated women’s contributions to Kenya’s music scene.
  • Emerging artists were showcased through Fresh Finds and Nakili Sessions, while comedy and nightlife thrived with performances by The Standup Collective and the Strictly Soul Closing Party.

Though the physical event concluded, Spotify’s ‘Made In Kenya’ playlist continues to promote local Afropop artists and emerging talent, extending the festival’s impact. Greasy Tunes succeeded in creating a shared space where Nairobi’s diverse cultural expressions—music, food, fashion, faith, sport, and community—coexisted and flourished.