The soulful singer has properly honed his craft as a performer, and his intentionality about it aided him in serving a mind-blowing experience for his fans.
As Detty December intensifies, Lagos, the nation's hub of entertainment, is already bubbling with different events ranging from workshops to concerts, to carnivals, block parties, EOY parties, Beach parties and more.
Indeed, a stacked December, heavyweight entertainment company Toro Entertainment Company drafted a sizzling lineup of concerts headlined by favourites like Adekunle Gold, Reminisce, BNXN, L.A.X, Seyi Vibez, Yinka Ayefele, Sola Allyson and a host of others.
On Saturday, 16th of December 2023, Port-Harcour-born singer, songwriter and performer, Omah Lay headlined his concert in Lagos and it was a beautiful sight to watch. As someone who came from the southern part of the country to the west, Omah Lay came into the proper limelight during the 2020 Covid19 era, he strategically dropped two projects during the lockdown and that birthed the acceptance of his soothing sound; the projects had songs like Godly, Damn, Bad Influence and the likes. The post-COVID era went on to solidify Omah Lay as a special artiste, especially with his 2022 Boy Alone album.
Having seen the singer headline the Island Block party in August 2022, there have been a lot of changes as regards the artistry and stagecraft of Omah Lay as an artist. This is an amazing feat for the singer who has toured and performed in Europe, America and so on as the direction of his performance at the concert which took place on Saturday, December 16, 2023, indicated that he now saw himself as the face of afrobeats and is focused on generalizing the experience of a good performance for his audience be it in Nigeria or in outside Africa.
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The distinction that exists in how afrobeats artist performs at concerts outside Nigeria and in Nigeria has always been a topic for debate and has been one of the many reasons people opt to not attend concerts of artists whenever they arise in the country.
There is no concert without hitches and hiccups but for us Omah Lay has set a new bar and a new standard which is why it is important to highlight key events that stood out for us on the night.
Branding and Partnership
The branding and partnership for Omah Lay Unplugged had been at its best with the brands like Pepsi, Leadway Assurance and many more standing in as the headline sponsors on the night. The show promoters also worked towards creating an artistic atmosphere at the entrance of the venue and even with the stage that matches the singer's concept as a whole.
The seat arrangement was spacious with a clear demarcation between each section obvious and easy to navigate. Security was also at its best with food and drinks also made available for guests to be refreshed on the night.
Participation
Omah Lay Unplugged saw a huge turnout in terms of attendance as fans turned up in huge numbers with others still trying to purchase tickets at the venue. It was a sold-out event for the singer and he made it one to remember for people who attended as he took to the stage and delivered a memorable performance.
Performances
For a first-time concert attendee, Omah Lay Unplugged concert would have blown your mind in every aspect but more importantly in terms of performance as the singer alongside special guest artists and his band delivered in all ramifications.
The singer performed with a live band, choreographers and special guest artists on the night as well. From the moment Omah Lay took to the stage to perform he sustained and maintained the crowd's energy from the first song to the last and for over two and a half hours the crowd was fully entertained.
The singer created an engaging atmosphere at the venue with heartwarming chants, the use of traditional musical instruments, stage props and many more.
Punctuality
Punctuality was a huge challenge on the night as the concert slated to start at 6 pm WAT did not commence until late in the evening with Omah Lay getting on stage at midnight. The venue was however set so it was hard to identify if the lateness was a result of the time the guests came to the venue or from the artist's camp.
Conclusion
Omah Lay warmed the hearts of fans with this concert and also gained new fans from the event. His growth and stage presence as an artist with one of the biggest albums of 2022 and 2023 to his name surpassed the expectations of many who had concerns as to how the event would go for an artist who puts out soulful music for fans. Omah Lay surpassed all expectations and it is no wonder the concert was highly talked about on social media.