TVC E Prior to tonight, Asa, of worldwide fame, has risen to the top of African music, with her alternative soul, immersive imagery, and vivid performances all across the world. But Lagos had been a virgin to her performances. While starring as the headlining third party to a number of concerts, never has she held a personal gathering to serenade her home city.
That has changed this night, in the most magical way possible. Held at the prestigious Lagos home of big events, Eko Hotel & Suites, the hall was decked with larger than life images of Asa, walkways, paths and wall-boards were raised glaringly, with the singer striking every ‘deep’ pose possible as she stared down at her guests. This was Asa’s concert after all, and everyones’s gotta know it.
Proceedings for the night was dictated by veteran MC and OAP,Olisa Adibua. A man for the big moments, he came through with panache, and an astute control of crowds and entertainment.
There were few opening acts, who prepped the guests for a night of live music, deep soulful singing, and ethereal alternative singing. They were chosen for their dexterity of their voice, and the industry of their hands.
Chubby and engaging, Isaac Geralds kicked off the opening acts sets he had a wooden gong to assist his deep singing, followed by soul singer, Kaliné, who held hearts with a band of singers, as she masterfully took charge of percussive and vocal duties. The piano was a part of her, as she stroked with poise and abandon. The eclectic Falana had a perfect intro, drumming during a special remake of classic soundtrack, ‘Favorite Things’, from the evergreen Sound of Music. She was to drop the drumming for the guitar.
Bez made the crowd go wild with his performance of ‘Stop pretending’, and followed up the tempo with ‘Zuciya Daya’, before taking us to his first radio hit ‘Stupid song’. All the while he supplied his accompaniment, a guitar to go with. An intermission was given for drinks, right after which international vocalist and singer, Rachel Kerr made her entrance, thrilling with her singles‘For you’ and ‘Hold my hand’.
…and then there was Asa.
The crowd were given leave to roam for 10 minutes while the stage was reset to fit her performance. The piercing rays of multi-colored light made for eerie suspense, as the dark staged became visible with morbid movement.
There were black shadows, contrasting against the light that fed the spirit of the audience. That spirit became more spirited with each passing second, there were shouts, screams, and many more noises from the full spectrum of the human vocal capabilities. Those voices became a crescendo of noise when Asa opened up her magic, starting off with an anthem, before going through ‘Satan be gone’.
There was not a single chair occupied as the floor took the brunt of the excitement, even Asa, was drowned above the rapturous reception. ‘Eyo o, Eyo o’, she sang off as she became one with the spirit. Previously the stimulant, Asa kept the front seat of the emotions, but the audience had also found a way to lead, as well as follow.
Songs came on in quick succession, before the mood went low and the tempo received a great reduction, it was sultry, it was cam…as the soulful ‘Bed of Stone’ was cued in. Asa took on the trumpet to serenade with a jazz rendition. ‘Dead again’ was a major highlight, as well as her evergreen classic, ‘Fire on the mountain’. ‘Bibanke’, and more.
The only act to perform with the headliner, music man and pianist, Cobhams Asuquo, joined in the act, as he dovetailed with Asa for a cover of Beyonce’s ‘Halo’, with each performance, the mood grew promethean, changing in form, with Asa dictating. She engaged in awkward dancing that was whimsical, and ultimately playful. She even threw in a few half-dabs for effect. Other songs ‘Jailer’, ‘Be my man’, came up, and the crowd caught up in the wave.
The historic set lasted for 2-hours, with guests getting their money’s worth. This was the first time Asa had given back to her hometown, and she did receive the love and support from everyone. Only an elite and ultimately few group acts in modern Nigerian music have the ability to run through a 2-hour set, and engage the crowd through it all. Asa leads that group in style, pomp and aplomb.
Asa has held her first ever concert in Lagos. That concert was historic.
