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Kiala and his team had been developing a
performance platform known as Soba Channel App, before the
crisis struck, where artists would be able to stream live shows
and fans would pay to gain access.
The lockdown meant they had to accelerate its launch to help
artists earn some income during the lockdown, and give viewers a
chance to be entertained in the comfort of their homes.
Soba is the first virtual entertainment platform in Angola, that
allows artists to charge for their shows. Social gatherings
remain prohibited in the country.
"This pandemic situation led us to accelerate a few of the ideas
that we already had and we decided to create the platform where
artists could still host concerts and other types of gathering
with their fans and be paid for that," Kiala said.
Popular local DJ Ritchelly was one of the first to jump on the
platform after his income was slashed to zero because of the
lockdown.
"This virus has brought us a new environment and ways to live.
And this is a survival way for artists that want to keep doing
their job," Ritchelly said, as he prepared for his virtual live
performance via the app.
Fans, stuck indoors, are happy to pay between $2-$6 per hour
depending on the performer, to see their favourite artists.
"It gives me a better experience because I'm alone. I don't have
to listen to the other people screaming (like at outdoor live
shows). I just have to sit there and watch," said 17-year old
Ekumbi Dias.
Performers keep 90% of the ticket costs, a business approach
Kiala says is noble but necessary.
(Writing by Sisipho Skweyiya; editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo
and Alexandra Hudson)
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