Christmas Jamz: Mega shows in Lagos, Abuja

There is no doubt, the year 2018 has been an amazing year, especially for the entertainers. Hence, there is no better way to round off the year than reward their fans with mega shows and concerts this December.

Beginning from December 1, there is virtually an event for each day, as XCHANGE, an event promotion consortium have put together world-class shows that will see event goers, artistes’ fans and followers gather in some iconic event venues across the country.

It was a night of alternate music on Wednesday, December 5, as Bukola Elemide, well known as Asa, led other alternative musicians such as Adekunle Gold, Bez, and Falana, a multitalented Nigerian-Canadian singer and songwriter, to raise the bar of what may be considered good music in Nigeria.

The artistes gave a good account of themselves with outstanding performances at the Spice Lifestyle Honors Awards, which held at Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Despite starting the event, which was scheduled kick off by 6pm at about 10:40pm, Falana’s immaculate performance ensured the audience forgave the organisers as they cheered her on.

The event organised to celebrate and recognise the best in Africa fashion and lifestyle industry.

The multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and composer, Bez Idakula, validated his genre of music, known as ‘alternative soul’ — a hybrid of soul, rock, jazz and R&B.

He sent the audience crazy with his dexterity on the guitar and his single You suppose know.

Surprise of the night was a performance by Lafiaji’s own son, Vector Da Viper, who went beyond singing and rapping to delivering some sublime poetry. He attempted to prick the conscience of the audience into seeing the problems with the country.

The golden boy, Adekunle Gold got the audience dancing, as he performed some of his hit singles, from Damn Delilah to Call on me, and Ire among others. He ended his session with an electrifying cover of the classic, I feel good.

Like sang by late highlife maestro, Oliver De Coque in one of numerous hits…“when the big masquerade comes to the square, the entire town erupts.” This was the scene, when the headliner, Asa, finally came on stage at past midnight, about 1am precisely.

Her performance was so passionate that a large portion of the hall moved from their individual seats to the edge of the stage, dancing and singing along. At the end of the performance at past 2am, it was clear why everyone waited to listen to diva sing.

The event, which was the maiden edition, was organised to celebrate and recognise the best in Africa fashion and lifestyle industry.

Whilst Lagosians were trying to catch some sleep after the Spice Lifestyle gig, Delphino Entertainment, a premier entertainment company based in Abuja on Thursday, December 6, hosted Davido to what maybe considered a sold out show in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Held at the International Convention Centre,

Just as Davido finished serenading his FCT fans with hit-by-hit records, frontline disc jockey, DJ Spinall yesterday treated fans and show goers to his annual DJ Spinall Party of Your Dream at the Grand Ballroom, Oriental hotel, Lagos.

Also, The Experience Lagos, the yearly musical event acclaimed to be the largest gospel event in Africa and probably in the world was held at its usual venue, Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan Lagos.

The event, which parades top gospel artistes from around the world in live performance, tells the story of Nigeria and the possibilities that can be attained if we focus on a common purpose.

Meanwhile, today, lovers of live performances in Lagos will be treated to night of live music, as Johnnie, Jazz and Whisky, a foremost platform for live music concerts in Nigeria will serenade guests at the GET Arena, Victoria Island Lagos with two of Nigeria’s finest artistes, Afrobeat king, Femi Kuti and the sensational Asa.

In line with the character of the sponsoring brand, Asa has remained true to her type of soulful tunes, the same way Johnnie Walker has maintained the high quality and standards that have kept whisky lovers accustomed to its flavourful sensation on the palates.

Primed to deliver on its tenets of soulful live music amidst great flavours of Johnnie Walker, the brand manager of Johnnie Walker Black Label, Toluwalashe Ogunyemi, says, Lagosians are in for an exotic and flavourful time.

“Johnnie Walker Black Label has remained steadfast in delivering the best of live music amidst great cocktails delivered by renowned mixologists. This is what will come to Lagosians come December 8. I am optimistic that nothing will be spared by these great artistes in creating a fun-filled ambience as a way of ending JJW in 2018.”

JJW, which kicked off a year ago, has maintained its grip as the foremost platform for a fusion of live afro-jazz beats and great flavours of the renowned Johnnie Walker brand of whisky.

List Of Other Major Events Lined Up:

Simi Live In Lagos, Dec 9

Coming off her sold-out show in London, tagged, Simi Live in London, R&B singer Simi real name Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye is set to continue her live series this December as she host fans to an exciting concert tagged Simi Live in Lagos.

The show, which is put together by Bavent Street Live in partnership with X3M Music is billed to hold tomorrow, Sunday, December 9, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel by 6pm.

Simi kicked off the concert season with her Simi Live series. She held the first live concert last year at the Hard Rock Cafe, Oniru Lagos with performances from A-list Nigerian artistes and lots of guests in attendances.

The 30 years old singer’s career came into spotlight in 2014 after she released Tiff, a song that was nominated in two categories at The Headies 2015 and further brought her to mainstream recognition.

The London show was dubbed a night of surprises by concert-goers with a host of celebrity guests, performances from Adekunle Gold and Falz, and surprise appearances from Mr Eazi and Wizkid.

Small Doctor Omo Better Concert, Dec 9

Despite being paraded by the Police for being in unlawful possession of firearms, singer and self-proclaimed king of Mainland, Adekunle Temitope, popularly known as Small Doctor, has declared that his Omo Better Concert, which sis schedule to hold tomorrow at the Agege Stadium will go ahead as planned.

The Agege-born former bus conductor and motorcyclist was arrested and detained for allegedly carrying an unlawful firearm during the week.

As a result, his fans feared that the concert may come to a halt as the Police said the singer will be prosecuted for a similar incident he committed late November when he fired pellets that injured four after a show at the Agege Stadium

The Guardian gathered that members of his management team were thrown into a state of confusion, as they were not sure of his release before the concert as the Police arraigned him before an Ebute Metta Magistrate court along with the other occupants in his car.

All that has changed as the Penalty singer was granted bail by the court. He spent almost 24hours in Police custody. But he is not letting the crisis get to him and has put out a tweet confirming that the show would still go on.

“Believe in God, all power belongs to God, thank you all for the love and positive vibes, Omo Better doing great. Omo better concert will hold this Sunday, December 9th, Agege Stadium,” he tweeted after his freedom.

Adekunle Gold Live — Three Nights At The Terra Kulture, Dec 13 — 15

Barely a few days to much talk-about three-night event holding at the Terra Kulture, Lagos, urban highlife and alternative artiste, Adekunle Gold has expressed mixed feelings about his gig, which is schedule to hold from December 13 to 15.

The singer, while admitting that it has not been easy putting together a show in three nights, said: “I feel like I am where I was made for.” He added that Cassper Nyovest inspired him during his performance at the recently held Global Citizen Festival in South Africa.

“I spent 12hrs in a South African stadium watching South Africans cheer everyone on. I loved every single performance but Jesus, Cassper took me by surprise. This guy had just sold out the stadium the day before and could still command that audience and that reception like they had never seen him before.”

According to him, “I don’t take for granted a single day I step on a stage and I hear my name being chanted or my words being sang back to me. It’s not an ego boost; it’s a purpose boost for me. I feel like I am where I was made for. Two places in the world I am most comfortable, in bed and on stage.”

King Coal Live In Concert, Dec 14

Arguably naija’s most talented pop vocalist, Wande Coal is set to hold his first headline show, tagged King Coal In Concert this yuletide. The event is billed for Friday, December 14

Speaking on the concert, Seyi Sodimu, a member of the Board of Directors, BlueNote Entertainment – organizers of the event said, “We are happy to bring Nigerians one of the most talented musicians the country has ever seen. We are putting together a wonderful event and Wande Coal is ready to thrill his fans. We are sure Nigerians will be entertained beyond their imaginations”.

According to the Senior Marketing Manager, Bet9ja, Olufemi Osobajo: “We decided to move ahead with this sponsorship this Christmas, in recognition of the need to entertain our teeming customers who have been with us all through the year.”

“At Bet9ja we are committed to the entertainment of our customers, whether they are watching sports or listening to music, and we believe Wande Coal has been a major proponent for good music in Nigeria, as he embodies what good music sounds like,” he added.

Since the release of his debut album Mushin to Mo’Hits in 2009, Wande Coal has continued to thrill fans locally and internationally with mind-blowing performances, collaborations and songs earning him multiple awards such as the Headies, MTV MAMAs, NEA awards and Ghana Music awards.

Mayorkun’s Mayor Of Lagos Concert, Dec 14

Following the success of the maiden edition last year that held at the Hard Rock Cafe, Oniru, Lagos, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) artistes, Mayorkun is set to take Lagos by storm with the second edition of his Mayor of Lagos concert.

Put together by The Plug Entertainment and Davido Music Worldwide, the event will hold December 14, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos

The self-proclaimed Mayor of Lagos churned out some of his hit singles like Che Che, Odo Remix, Bobo, and Posh among others.
Earlier in the year, Mayorkun alongside Burna Boy and Peruzzi shut down the Federal Capital Territory with the Abuja leg of his The Mayor Concert, which held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, in August.

The event, which began last year as a means of promoting the Mayorkun brand, witnessed a massive crowd as artistes such as Burna Boy, Lil Kesh, Ycee, Skales, Dice Ailes, Kidi with DJ Consequence holding down the turntable, made the night one to remember.

Wizkid’s Live In Abuja, VIP Experience Night and Made In Lagos, Dec 16, 19 and 23

Regarded as the new bride of African music, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun well known as Wizkid, is set wrap up the year with three major shows — Live in Abuja, VIP Experience Night, and Made In Lagos. This is excluding other shows he would be performing in as headliner.

From the line up of events, the hip-hop act will be very busy this yuletide as he will shuttle from one stage to another, serenading his fans beginning a live musical concert tagged Wizkid Live In Abuja on Sunday, December 16 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

The Starboy chief will on Wednesday, December 19, hold it down at the Eko Convention Centre. Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos with his VIP Experience Night, all exclusive party for his VIP fans and followers. Wizkid will be performing with a full live band alongside notable artistes like Duncan Mighty, Tiwa Savage, Maleek Berry, Skepta, Tekno and Not3s to an average of 5,000 exclusively VIP guests.

He will again be up on the stage on Sunday, December 23, at the Eko Atlantic City Festival Grounds, Lagos, where he will thrill he fans and sundry to his album, Made In Lagos.
The Soco singer will be performing alongside Tiwa Savage, Not3s, DJ Tunez, Ceeza Milli, Maleek Berry, Runtown, Burna Boy, Duncan Mighty, Slimcase, Harry Songs, Kcee and Mr. Eazi.

Urban Music Festival, Dec 21

Nigerian music stars will unite at the biggest urban music show premier music festival, Urban Music Festival returns to Lagos this year with a bang and line up some of the biggest names in the Nigerian music scene.

The festival is planned to have the most compelling stage with world-class visual aesthetics.

Artiste such as Olamide, Phyno, Ycee, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Niniola, Mayorkun, MI Abaga, D’banj, Skales, Kizz Daniel, and Reekado Banks will be on parade, while DJ Neptune lock down the records from the turntable.

Urban Music Festival is a cross genre show that meshes pop music with hip-hop, electronic and Afrobeat blending them with a cool visual experience and an infusion of high-octane energy for the attendees. The show is schedule to hold at the Eko Atlantic City festival ground.

Afrobeat Festival, Dec 22

With Afrobeat making major headway around the world and currently enjoying global acclaim with an attractive mainstream appeal, Afrobeat Festival is launching in Nigeria this year.

Schedule to hold on December 22, at the Eko Atlantic City festival ground, the festival will curate eclectic performances from the artistes Femi kuti and kid brother Seun Kuti, Patoranking, Timaya, Runtown, Tekno, and Mr Eazi, pushing their music boundaries.

Olamide Live In Concert (O.L.I.C), Dec 23

After the stadium experiment, ‘Wobey’ master Olamide Adedeji well known as Olamide is returning to Eko Hotel for the fifth edition of his annual Olamide Live In Concert (O.L.I.C).

Billed to hold on December 23, this year’s event tagged ‘Olamide Live’ is being organised by Flytime Promotions as part of its first ever music festival, which is set to kick-off on December 21 with the annual Rhythm Unplugged concert followed by an array of other events.

There would be performances from both local and international artistes with American super star Bobby Brown, Bell Biv Devoe, D’banj, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy as headliners.

A statement by the Flytime said the Motigbana crooner will be shutting down the stage alongside his YBNL army and a spectacular line up of Nigeria’s music industry heavyweights.

“Multiple award-winning hit maker, street king and YBNL boss, Olamide is set to bring Lagos to a standstill this festive season, as he will be performing live on the final day of the Flytime Music Festival,” the statement read.

Known for his energetic performances, the Eniyan Mayweather singer promises to leave the fans spellbound as he takes them on a tasteful musical journey with live performances of his chart-topping anthems.

With over 10,000 guests at last year’s edition, which held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, the YBNL rapper is returning the concert to its birthplace, the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island.