In a candlelit studio tucked within the creative enclave of Optunes Studios, Segun Akinduro, better known as Segun Violin, delivered an unforgettable headline performance titled “Odyssey with Segun Violin”.
Framed around the theme of love, the concert started with lush violin chords that reimagined Elvis Presley’s 1961 classic, “Can’t Help Falling In Love” before an intimate audience in Lagos’ bustling Palm Avenue suburb. With dozens more tuned in online, witnessing what can be best described as a masterclass in musical storytelling and showmanship.
As the first notes of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” echoed through the room, played with haunting tenderness on the violin, the atmosphere was immediately transformed. With subtle sways, gentle head tilts, and the expressive movement of his bow arm, Akinduro’s stage presence evoked not just technical skill but deep emotional engagement. His signature performance style — eyes often closed, occasionally glancing skyward as if pulling inspiration from above — invited the audience into an intensely personal journey.
Accompanied by a tight-knit ensemble — one bass guitarist, a keyboardist, a percussionist, a drummer, and a lush string quartet — Akinduro delivered a moving medley that wove together Major’s “Why I Love You”, Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”, and Canon in D (Pachelbel). Each piece was reimagined with orchestral warmth and a touch of West African tonality. The violin, in Segun’s hands, became a vessel — not just for melody, but for emotional resonance. His bowing technique ranged from slow, legato strokes that seemed to linger in the air, to brisk, articulate phrasing during more rhythmically driven moments.
Another standout moment was the poignant interlude came with guest spoken word poet Eyinju Olodumare, whose lyrical performance added depth and reflection to the evening’s romantic theme. SegunViolin then resumed with Nigerian love ballads — Timi Dakolo’s “Iyawo Mi” and Tosin Martins’ “Olo Mi” — his violin breathing new life into the beloved classics. Here, he introduced subtle improvisations that gently teased the melody, offering a new emotional layer to well-known tunes.
But just as the evening settled into mellow romance, Akinduro shifted gears. With passionate urgency, he struck the opening of Asake’s “Dull”, triggering a high-energy, 7-minute Afrobeats medley. The seamless fusion of violin with Afrobeats rhythm electrified the room. Watching him navigate the pulse with dynamic bowing and syncopated footwork showed not just versatility, but a playful command of genre and crowd.
The show, perhaps, took its most heartfelt turn when fellow musician Temitope Fash stood from the crowd, saxophone in hand, and delivered a stirring rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” Akinduro joined in, their duet a perfect union of wind and string — two musicians in conversation, trading phrases with mutual respect and joy.
Throughout the night, his playing remained both technically precise and emotionally open. His expressive vibrato, intricate runs, and lyrical phrasing were matched by subtle, elegant showmanship: the upward lean into high notes, the occasional break from the mic to let the strings speak, the gentle choreography of his bow tracing invisible arcs in the air.
With “Odyssey,” Akinduro proved that love isn’t just a theme — it’s a language, and he speaks it fluently through the violin. This was not merely a concert; it was a narrative in motion, marked by artistic direction, musical breadth, and audience intimacy. It reaffirmed his standing as one of Nigeria’s most compelling contemporary violinists — one who bridges genres, cultures, and generations with style and sincerity.
