By Victoria Ige
If you’re planning a night out with friends tonight in Lagos, consider stopping by Freedom Park. There’ll be good live music, great palmwine and other drinks, cool people, and a lot of dancing.
Starting from just an idea a few years ago, the monthly gig promoted by Ade Bantu and partners has become indispensable for everyone who likes to have a good time and quality entertainment in a convivial atmosphere.
It has become the go-to event amongst the so-called ‘yuppies’ and fun seekers.
Why’s this so?
Some fans of the monthly event who spoke with THENETNG say it’s because Afropolitan is about the only Lagos concert where you’re allowed to be yourself. No VIPs. No Table seatings. No pretenders.
‘It reminds me of ‘Lagbaja‘, one guest said last month.
‘Lagbaja’ was the eponymous alias for the now rested monthly gig at Motherlan’ in Opebi-Lagos where the masked musician and friends held musical vigils every month.
Just like Motherlan’, Afropolitan has a relatively cheap entrance fee. Guests are drawn from every class you can think of. The music is live and mostly original. There’s a lot of standing and dancing and ‘yabbing’. And the community is close-knitted, making it possible for everyone to know everyone even if only by face.
Both concerts are open air and promoted by a musician who’s keen to develop live performance in a city dominated by VIP concerts many describe as pretentious and mimefests.
It’s likely most of the evangelists of Ade Bantu’s Afropolitan Vibes are not very familiar with Lagbaja’s Motherlan’ which has long since been rested following the musician’s relocation. But they’re receiving a torch in a marathon that could redefine – revolutionize even – the long abused concert industry in Nigeria.
If you’ve not joined the Afropolitan Vibes ride, you should. You will thank me later
*Afropolitan Vibes holds tonight at Freedom Park in Lagos, with Waka legend Salawa Abeni, Ade Bantu, Peter Thomas and Falz as headliners.
