Bien Makes History as First East African Artist to Sell Out Indigo at the O2 Arena Twice

By Posha Aloyo

Kenyan superstar Bien-Aimé Baraza, widely known simply as Bien, has firmly established himself in music history.

Over the weekend, the Sauti Sol co-founder and solo artist sold out the Indigo at the O2 Arena in London for the second time consecutively, becoming the first East African artist to achieve this remarkable feat.

Bien’s journey from his early days with Sauti Sol to his solo career has been a steady climb marked by talent and dedication.

His critically acclaimed album, Alusa Why Are You Topless?, has cemented his place as a formidable solo artist.

Selling out the Indigo, a prestigious 2,800-seat venue, twice in a row highlights that his appeal reaches far beyond Kenya.

It reflects his genuine artistry and a rapidly growing international fan base.

The music industry and fellow artistes have taken note of Bien’s accomplishment.

Savara Mudigi, Bien’s longtime bandmate from Sauti Sol, expressed pride on social media, acknowledging that Bien is breaking barriers not only for Kenya but for all of East Africa.

Fally Ipupa, who collaborated on Bien’s deluxe album, emphasized that talent transcends borders and that two sold-out shows speak volumes.

Adekunle Gold, a previous Indigo sell-out himself, called Bien’s achievement legendary, recognizing how difficult it is to fill the venue even once.

Tiwa Savage, the first Nigerian female to headline at Indigo, praised Bien for showing that East African music possesses real global strength.

Bien’s achievement holds special significance beyond his personal success.

While many African artistes have made waves in London, most hail from West Africa.

Bien’s milestone signals a turning point as East African music steps boldly into the global spotlight.

Though the Indigo is smaller than the full 20,000-capacity O2 Arena, it remains a high-profile venue reserved for artistes poised to make an international impact.

Selling it out twice confirms Bien’s readiness and rising influence.

Looking ahead, fans and industry insiders are buzzing with speculation about Bien’s future.

With momentum this strong, a headline performance at the larger N2 Arena seems within reach.

Bigger venues in Europe, festival appearances worldwide, and headline tours in North America all appear to be on the horizon.

Bien’s trajectory shows no signs of slowing down.