By Chris Ihidero
Those who sit in the State Box, VVIP and VIP sections at concerts in Lagos are usually a big pain in the arse. Because they have paid a lot of money to sit at those tables (or got a free ticket) they generally act as if they own the world and the performing artistes are irritants who need to stop disturbing them as they pose to other over-bloated egos seated around their table. At the K1 Unusual Concert, which held at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos a totally different scenario played out.
I wasn’t going to miss the K1 Unusual Concert for all the goats at Alaba Rago. And if you know me, you’ll know that goat meat is an integral part of my existence. I had looked forward to a Fuji music concert for a long while. I have often insisted that Fuji music is Africa’s rock music. If you have ever been to a Fuji music concert you’ll have noticed that it’s the least pretentious gathering you have ever witnessed. Young men and women come in different groups and each does not need the other to have a swell time.
When Sola Allyson stepped on stage to open the show, I whispered a short thank you prayer to the gods. I have had a huge crush on her since her Eji Owuro days. Her voice is divine and her long neck very endearing. Her roaring and invocative performance set the tone for the day.
When K1 the Ultimate finally stepped on stage the whole hall stood in recognition of his immense contribution to the Nigerian music industry. Beyond that, we stood because we couldn’t afford to sit; we literally couldn’t help ourselves. Memories flooded my mind, memories of secondary school days in Ijebu-Ode spent sneaking out of the hostel to go watch Wasiu Ayinde Barrister (as he was then known) performing at a party or another. Memories of his performances at the annual Ojude-Oba Day celebrations in Ijebu-Ode. He was always the top act.
It is not often that you will catch leading advertising executive Steve Babaeko dancing. I shared a table with him that night and I cannot remember him being seated for more than 5 minutes. This can be said of practically everyone in the audience. Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, isn’t someone you immediately associate with public dancing, same for the wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola. That night, they both danced as much as everyone else in the hall.
Perhaps the reason most concerts turn out to be boring or marginally entertaining at best is because the music does not often meet the audience. I have seen 2face Idibia thrill audiences for a stretch of time but he’s an exception. This isn’t something younger musicians are able to do. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that K1 the Ultimate has been performing for 43 years. He has had abundant time to hone his skills and understand his audiences. He has performed across the world and that experience stands him in good stead. For a show that ran for about two hours 40 minutes in total, K1 the Ultimate did not perform for up to an hour. But every single time he came on stage, he kept the audience on their feet till he left.
Of a lineup that included hit-making Olamide, highlife great Victor Olaiya, Melodious Sola Allyson, leader of a generation of Fuji musicians, Saheed Osupa and K1’s daughter, Honey-B, K1 the Ultimate stood head and shoulders above everyone of them on the night. Unlike what you see at too many concerts in Lagos where the supporting acts outshine the main act, K1 was the star of his own show.
Bisoye Fagade and the GreenLight Productions team know how to throw a party. While the show started 2 hours behind schedule at 11pm, my table had 5 bottles of Champagne, a bottle of Hennessey (V.S), a bottle of Remy Martin, bottles of beer, water and soft drinks. And I wasn’t seated in the State Box o! Perhaps the show was such a blast because we were all pretty drunk? The canapé was cold though.
At 1:45am K1 the Ultimate brought the show to an end. Simultaneously, we all turned to ourselves and asked, ‘Has the show ended?’ The hall was still filled to the brim. Usually the hall will be more than half empty at that time and the musician would have been performing to empty chairs. We wanted more and I dare say we would have danced till the early morning if the concert had continued.
K1 killed this one.
