Whether one wanted to jump and sing along, scream with delight or gently sway to the enchanting blend of rhythms on offer, the Blend Festival at the Polo Club Gardens in Accra on February 14, 2026, provided the perfect opportunity.

Although billed as a celebration of Blues and Rock ’n’ Roll, several other styles of popular music from the Blend Band, Wiyaala, Maami and some up-and-coming acts also found their way into the mix, making for a delightful night that lifted spirits after heavy rain earlier in the day.

The Blend Band, fronted by Anthony Eid, Rajesh Gobindram and Essam Odaymat, has steadily built a loyal following following appearances at clubs in the capital. Last Saturday’s event proved they have been on the right path with the type of music they play.

The trio are not full-time musicians; they pursue music purely out of passion. They performed material from the repertoires of musicians who have shaped their musical tastes over the years, and the large, responsive audience lapped up every moment.

The crowd was joyfully at home with covers of songs by famous names such as Coldplay, Bon Jovi, U2, Guns N' Roses, Bryan Adams, Dire Straits, David Bowie, George Michael, OneRepublic, Joe Cocker and Bob Marley. The band also played some Highlife, Afro-pop and Arabic music.

“We have played at venues like Firefly in Osu and Nguni Bar & Grill in East Cantonments, but we felt it was time to move to a bigger venue, and the Polo Club Gardens served that purpose,” said Essam Odaymat.

“There were a few challenges in getting the place ready for a show like the one we had in mind, but we all put in maximum effort and everything eventually worked out nicely.”

An act that certainly put in maximum effort during her set was Wiyaala. Backed by the Patchbay Band, she mounted the stage with her rendition of Osibisa’s ‘Woyaya’ before thrilling the audience with a string of original songs. Her energy swept through the crowd, and many danced their hearts out.

Maami made it clear that the audience was there for the love of music. She performed songs from her recently recorded collection, as well as some covers. She remained vibrant throughout her set and actively engaged the audience.

A couple of emerging acts also took to the stage to showcase their potential. According to Essam Odaymat, part of the festival’s vision is to groom and support young talent, regardless of the style of music they perform.

“There’s room for all kinds of music here. The strong patronage we received proves that. I spoke to some audience members after the show, and they were pleased with the entire programme. We appreciate everyone who came out to support us despite the weather conditions. We will definitely be back next year,” he added.

The Blend Festival, which observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late Highlife great Ebo Taylor, was organised by the Blend Band and Panji Anoff’s Pidgen Music outfit.