- With 6 Major Concerts & Other Activities
Did you notice that Lagos was agog with a lot of entertainment events last Xmas season? It was a busy 30 days last December as many concerts took place across the state. There was also a street carnival and a one Lagos Fiesta, all courtesy of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode who ensured that Lagosians were kept busy moving from one big event to another. It all started on 3rd December 2017, With a colourful carnival held along the stretch of Oba Akran Road, Ikeja. This is the first time a well structured street carnival will be held on the mainland.
The fun loaded event was designed to kick start series of activities lined-up to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
The acting Commissioner for Tourism Arts and Culture, Hon. Adepimbe Akinsola had explained that the carnival which was formerly known as Lagos Street Party had been rebranded and repackaged to serve a much wider purpose beyond a party.
She described the initiative as part of the commitment of the State Government to use entertainment as springboard to drive development and market the state’s potentials to domestic and foreign investors who will contribute meaningfully towards making Lagos a smart city.
‘’This is exemplified by the fact that , besides entertainment and fun-making, the carnival offers upcoming artists and tradesmen opportunity to exhibit their skills and market their products which fits into the agenda of the administration’’.
Emphasising the essence of the carnival, she encouraged Lagosians and visitors to take the huge opportunity the government is providing through initiatives like this by promoting the hospitability of the state in a secured environment.
Also over 100 artistes cutting across all genres performed at last Decembers One Lagos Fiesta, its flagship yuletide revue which held from December 24 till early hours of January 1, 2018.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, explained that the 8 day non-stop Fiesta, which was held in 5 different designated centres in Lagos simultaneously for 8 days non-stop consolidated on the success achieved in 2016.
The 2016 edition featured several A-list artistes, while several upcoming artists, dance group and cultural performances combined to perform and thrill over 10 million Lagosians on daily basis for 8 days. Some of the A-list artists that performed last December, 2017 included Olamide, Davido, King Sunny Ade, Adewale Ayuba, Salawa Abeni, Humble Smith, Small Doctor, Ras Kimono, Pasuma, Osupa, among others.
In line with the tradition, the event was held across the 5 zones as it held last year including Ikeja (Agege Stadium), Badagry (Badagry Grammar School), Ikorodu (Ikorodu Town Hall), Lagos Island (Bar Beach) and Epe (Epe-Marina Beachfront), while the cross over night of December 31st into the New Year will hold at Eko Atlantic City.
Tagged “See, Feel and Explore Lagos”, Lagos State Government with 2017 One Lagos Fiesta rounded off and bid 2017 which has been a remarkable year of achievement farewell while a New Year is ushered in with arguably the biggest and the largest celebration in Nigeria with a record of 10million people in attendance”.
The one Lagos Fiesta was specially designed to turn the 5 divisions of Lagos into a tourist destination for 8 days non-stop showcasing not less than 40 concerts all together across the city of Lagos while developing the local economy of these areas thereby making it self-sustaining during the festive period and after.
Lagos represent a diverse tribes and cultures of Nigeria with differences that typifies the philosophy behind the OLF which is the reason the administration of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode to position itself for project T.H.E.S.E. Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Sports for Excellence to drive and harness tourism in Lagos State. The same template, content and performance for all the venues as obtained in the 2016 edition was maintained with little addition to give last year’s event a better edge.
Then came the series of concerts, from Wizkid to Olamide, to Davido blessing fans with a surprise performance at Wizkids concert to the Mo’Hits reuniting at Davido’s concert, 2017 has become an important year in Nigerian music that will not be forgotten in a hurry. All thanks to the month of December 2017 which saw a whole lot of concerts reeled out. It’s not just about the concert, it’s about the impact each concert had and on that basis, we bring you 6 concerts that rocked Lagos in the month of December 2017.
Nigerian rap artist, Folarin Falana a.k.a Falz, held his first headline concert in Lagos.Tagged ‘The Falz Experience’, the event took place on Wednesday, December 20, at the Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotels & Suites.Top Nigerian acts like Simi, YemiAlade, Davido, Reekado Banks, Wande Coal, Ycee, were among those who performed at the show.It was indeed an experience for attendees because apart from music performances by other artists, Falz thrilled fans with the performance of skits which he is also popular for among other things.The concert was produced by Livespot, in conjuction with Bahd Guys Entertainment, the record label founded by Falz.From his hit songs, Jeje, wehdonsir, La Fete, to the success of his third studio album ‘27’, and now his headline concert, one can say it has indeed been a great year for the singer.
Nigerian rapper Olamide whose annual “Olamide Live In Concert” event is always a full and crowded affair at the Eko Hotel and Suites decided to move this year’s show to a stadium to make space for everyone to attend.The show in itself was a success with artists (new & old) and fans alike turning up in their droves to the TeslimBalogun Stadium, Surulere.
Fears of security and health challenges were put to rest as all security and government health agencies were on hand to ensure a smooth running of the show.Half the music industry also shared the stage with the street king on the day and the show was largely sponsored by the Lagos State Government and FIRS.
Adekunle Gold also held the Lagos edition of his concert, ‘One Night Stand With Adekunle Gold.The event which took place at Federal Palace Hotel, Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island, on December 26, 2017 was a live music concert which featured Adekunle Gold & his band, The 79th Element. They performed carefully curated songs from Adekunle Gold’s repertoire. The live music concert showcased the Urban High Life singer and his band, The79th Element, thrill and entertain the audience with classy and authentic performances.Adekunle Gold lit up the stage with his unique sound and electrifying performances in this ground breaking concert for his fans and lovers of his music.
Reveling in the success of his sold-out prodigious ‘One Night Stand’ London and Dublin concerts, Adekunle Gold’s highly energetic and undeniable stage presence was in full view for his fans, and the surprise performances from Seyi Shay, Simi, Teni, Funbi, MYOA, DapoTurbuna and more. They all added to the excitement that is One Night Stand With Adekunle Gold.
The social media is agog with reactions on Wizkid concert held Sunday, 24th December 2017 night at Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.
Major highlights of the event that have got Nigerians talking were performance of ‘Fia’ by Davido and Wizkid, signing of young Ahmed and the hug Tiwa Savage and Starboy shared. The Eko Convention Centre witnessed yet another sold out concert, WizkidThe Concert 2017. The event saw a heavy line up of A list Nigerian artistes and the crowd was entertained down to every penny of their ticket monies. Davido, Phyno, Olamide, Wande Coal, Tekno, MrEazi, Mayorkun, Tiwa Savage were amongst the artistes to grace the event
It was a big night for music lovers as two of Nigeria’s most sought-after music exports, Wizkid and Davido, reconciled on stage.
The feud between the acts was a major subject of discourse on social media, but this last-minute surprise watered down every credible rumour. According to Wizkid, “I don’t dwell on things like that. Music is my focus, not rivalry. It’s all about making good music for me, and I believe that the sky is wide enough for all to fly’.
While we were still dwelling on the Wizkid and Davido melodrama from the Wizkid Concert, just 3 days after, Davido’s concert became the latest trend on social media and people’s lips.
It is no doubt a season of reconciliation in the Nigerian music industry as one of Nigeria’s favourite groups, Mo’Hits reunited at Davido’s ’30 Billion Concert’ on Wednesday 27th of December, 2017 night.
Davido had earlier announced that he would be offering a very ‘mad and loud’ surprise at his concert, which held at the Eko Convention center, Lagos, and he indeed kept to his words.
Davido, whose concert trended on Twitter, said it took him two whole months of effort to bring the moment into fruition. The concert also broke the Eko Hotel & Suites record as it gathered over 10,000 people in a 6000 capacity hall.
Though Nigerian pop singer/ X3M Music artiste, Simi in collaboration with Eclipse Live Africa held the debut edition of her concert “See Me Live.” at Hard Rock Café, Oniru Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, November 26, 2017. It still makes our list as a worthy mention.
Following the successful release of her sophomore album ‘Simisola’, the “See Me Live” brought the singer’s fans to an energizing, yet intimate, live experience.
The concert saw Simi headlining her first show here in Lagos, as an appreciation to her fans both new and old, and an opportunity to bring her album to life. She performed hit songs off her album, with fan-favourites such as ‘Joromi’, ‘Aimasiko’, and more lighting up the venue. There also guest appearances from Falz, Adekunle Gold, Maka, Funbi, Jeff Akoh, Funbi and Chike.
The ‘Simisola’ album hit the Billboard World Music charts at number 5, debuted at number 1 on both the Apple Music and iTunes chart, and held its position for three weeks.
With the chart-topping ‘Simisola’ album, a live band and support from a few special guest artists; Simi wowed the people of Lagos with a memorable performance brought to you by Eclipse Live.
Well, that’s all 6 of the concerts that rocked Lagos this holiday season, it’s a Happy New Year from us here.
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–Daniji Emmanuel
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