Alex O, Baba Fryo, Others Thrill At Metro FM All Flavours Concert
It was the second year running for Metro FM 97.7 FM FYNE 2.0, The All Flavours Concert held at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos last Monday. And chief organiser and General Manager, Metro 97.7 FM, Cordelia Okpei, who also added a year during the week, rightly called it a manic Monday miracle! Indeed, it was uncharacteristic for a Lagos Monday that the Shell hall was packed full, and the audience was not in a hurry to leave even at 10pm plus.
It was testimony to the fine organisation and the quality of stars that performed on the night, as according to Okpei, the event was meant to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported and continues to support Metro FM.
Among those who performed were Nefertiti and Adunni who travelled round the country to sing folk songs peculiar to each region and its people. Their folksy rendition wooed many in the audience, particularly the sensual rendition from Benue region.
The ladies’ trio of Imanse, Arewa and Ada who performed in a row dropped the tempo a bit. They merely mimed to their music. Arewa and Ada’s duet on Adele’s Hello, with their butterfly wings, raised their performance a notch or two. It was a wonder why they failed to raise their musicmanship when they shied away from appropriating the band set on stage.
Dance hall soul singer, Alex O and Denge pose crooner, Baba Fryo, also shied away from the big band, but they gave good account of themselves, with scintillating performances that took the audience back in time. In spite Baba Fryo’s bulging midriff, he still glided across the stage easily, but you could see his weight getting in the way. But Alex O shuffled easily for man over 50; he didn’t look it one bit. Together, Alex O and baba Fryo raised the roof, musically. Denge pose still commanded following.
Comedy wasn’t in short supply either. Kenny Black did cracked ribs. But it was Koffi who put the show in perspective when he commended the broadcasting standard Metro FM continues to maintain in an era of awkward, poorly imitated Americanised accents by presenters on radio. As he put it, “Metro FM is the station for the future. There’s no faking of accent at Metro FM. What you hear is good, standard accent”.
Koffi’s was a testimony that sets Metro FM apart from the pack, a station that still adheres to the best tradition of radio broadcasting.
Segun Adefila’s Crown Troupe of Africa brought maverick theatre to an eclectic evening of artistic performances, as oga Malu’s pressing need to piss and then being prevented to do so, brings with it a wide range of society’s oppressiveness and inequalities.
Adeh Jazz rescued the night from boring music miming when he took to the big band and serenaded with jazz before Odogwu and ATM comic duo came on. But it was clear ATM was the master of the comic craft; he left a few ribs cracked for good measure.
Elulu Band from DR Congo appropriated the band set and thrilled with provocative, sensual dances, as is usual with Makossa. Sound Sultan also appropriated the band set to give electrifying performance. Thereafter, the youngsters took over and gave account of themselves, musically.
In all it was a well-spent evening of music, theatre and comedy. Indeed, quite a manic Monday miracle it was, The All Flavours Concert.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.