Diamond Platnumz continues UK takeover with massive crowd in Manchester
Just a day after Tanzanian Bongo Flava icon Diamond Platnumz was honoured with a special certificate for having filled the London Royal Albert Hall to the brim, the award-winning singer has once again brought the United Kingdom to a standstill.
This is after he electrified fans in Manchester with yet another sold-out show.
The celebrated Wasafi frontman took over the stage on the night of Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the prestigious Manchester Academy along Oxford Road, drawing thousands of fans who turned up in droves to witness his vibrant showcase of music, culture, and charisma.
Diamond, who continues to dominate charts across Africa and beyond, delivered an immersive and high-energy set, performing some of his greatest chart-toppers, including “Jeje,” “Waah,” “Komasava,” and his latest fan-favourite “Happy Birthday.”
The sound, the visuals, and the energy inside the Academy created a concert atmosphere that many described as unforgettable.
The Manchester leg of his UK tour was no less spectacular than his now-historic Royal Albert Hall concert, where he stunned fans not only with his magnetic performance but also by bringing out Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage in a surprise appearance that sent the audience into a frenzy.
Fans went haywire after Tiwa made an unexpected appearance on the dais, as Diamond Platnumz had not revealed that the ‘Koroba’ hitmaker would be performing alongside him.
She graced the stage with a troupe of vigorous dancers, delivering an electrifying performance that lasted close to twenty minutes before embracing Diamond in a warm onstage hug and gracefully exiting, leaving the Wasafi label boss to carry on with his much-anticipated showcase.
Diamond is accompanied on the tour by his long-time friend and fellow Tanzanian singer Juma Jux, who is fresh from celebrating his recent wedding.
The newly-wed star was seen mingling with fans and supporting Diamond both backstage and on stage, adding a brotherly touch to the tour’s chemistry.
Ahead of the Manchester show, Diamond hosted an exclusive meet-and-greet event with his UK-based fans, offering them a rare opportunity to interact with him offstage.
Fans, many of whom have followed his musical journey for over a decade, were elated to take photos, share stories, and present him with heartfelt gifts in appreciation of his impact across borders.
Representing East Africa
At the start of the tour, Diamond appeared for an interview on a local UK radio station and revealed that he had staged the UK shows to also send a strong message that East Africa is home to some of the most gifted artistes on the continent.
He spoke at length about the region, insisting that those attending his concerts should not expect the usual kind of performance they associate with African showcases. He said this one was set to be different—vividly different—drawing comparisons to West African and Congolese shows, which, according to him, could not match the level he wanted his to reach.
“I want to say, like, yo—Africa has got a lot of talent. One thing I want people to know is that they may have experienced different African performances before, but trust me, this is totally different. For the first time, we are bringing a very unique show. Yes, it is African, but this one is from East Africa. I have attended several shows by West African and Congolese artistes, but this is totally different because it is from East,” the Komasava hitmaker said.
On his part, Juma Jux noted that he was beyond excited about the tour, even though it was not officially his.
He said the purpose of their UK trip was to send a clear message that East Africa has a vibrant and authentic music culture, and shared just how thrilled he was to be part of the experience.
“So happy to be here. It is my brother’s show, but I said, yo—this is a movement. This is not about us; it is about our culture. I am so excited,” Jux said.
