By Reagan Ssempijja
After a hot spell of over a month, it decided to rain the entire afternoon, evening, on July 29, as Nigerian star – Tiwatope Savage, performed at Lugogo Cricket Oval, Kampala.
However, not even a hailstorm could move the already soaked revellers. The rain, which started at around 2:00pm in some parts of Kampala, dictated that the show would kick off on a slow note, but more Savage fans would throng the venue later in the evening, and by 8:30pm, the VIP section at the Vision Group and Tusker Cider sponsored event was filled up.
Thanks to the events production prowess of Fenon Events, sound, stage and lighting were curated in such a satisfying way that regardless of where you stood, hid from the rain, you were to treated to a perfect feel of the show.
Worth applauding, too, was the remarkable time management, something usually unlikely at most Ugandan concerts. The all-female lineup, started off with a performance from Pearl of Africa Star Search Winner – Sandra Nansambu, who despite not being known to many, entertained the crowd fully with her vocal abilities.
It would be a few minutes later when more upcoming female musicians including Lyka and Lamu would grace the stage to showcase their craft. In a series of interludes, Female DJs Alisha and Melvin would keep the energy levels high among the crowd. Alisha’s throwback mixes had a fair share of the night’s notable highlights
As the night grew older, energetic MC – Miss Deedan, took to stage to announce performances by some of the artistes that many were itching to see. These were led by Vinka, who performed only four songs, but left the crowd enthralled. The crowd’s favourites among local musicians were Karole Kasita and Winnie Nwagi for reasons beyond just their music.
Nwagi used the opportunity to officially announce her forthcoming concert on September 9, at the same venue. At 10:00pm, Savage’s official hypeman – J Brizzy, stepped on stage, lights were cut out, and this was a clear indication that the African Bad Girl, as many know her, was yet to grace the stage. J Brizzy’s set did not last longer than 20 minutes.
Savage took to stage at 10:24pm, clad in brown baggy kaki pants, and an Animal-print-like top. Her performance kicked off with a sound hiccup that was visibly irritating her, until shortly when this was fixed.
Tiwa Savage is quite a performer, and quite unbeknownst to some, she is a powerful vocalist, too. Backed by an amazing band that knew exactly what to do and how, Savage performed most of her hit songs, from the least known to the latest releases like Koroba, Somebody’s Son and No Wahala.
In unity with her diehard fans, Savage moved away from the stage canopy to the open area, and said,” I’m not even going to perform from under the canopy. I’m going to stand in the rain with you guys. Ladies, makeup or not, weave or no weave, let us enjoy ourselves, regardless of the rain,”
One of her old songs – Kele Kele Love, excited the crowd even more. They sang along word by word with Savage. At the end of her time on stage, you would comfortably say, Savage gave her fans a good a show. She did.
