Gidi Culture festival continues to improve as they grow older. In life, the concept of numerical and time bound growth is meant to be a constant in everything, but qualitative improvement, the most desirable quality is often made a variable, seldom appearing, and even when it rears its pretty head, comes at half the value.
For Gidi Culture Festival, growth and improvement have been working in tandem as inseparable twins. Each showing up year after year, hand in hand.
The venue for last year, Eko Atlantic became this year’s, but with more aesthetic, organizational improvements. Where last year, the VIP section was flung far into the land of the dead, 2016 edition brought them closer to the fold, with the futuristic brilliant glow of Heineken, major sponsors, flooding the arena.
This year, Gidi Fest also went cashless, with NextGen tech put in place to ensure that legal tender was abolished, and in its place, a new e-currency which came with surprisingly easy-to-use system of purchase, balance inquiry, and refund.
For host duties, Nigeria’s Sensei Uche, gave the performance of his life, and he was aided by the South African petite fireball, Nomuzi. The duo combined with such chemistry and strong humor which alternated from simple to erotic to slapstick. Here there were no predetermined scripts, and even if they existed, it was never perceived. They exuded a natural gifted entertainment, which kept the crowd in high spirits.
Performances on the night were alternated, with each granted autonomy to either perform with a live band, or go with the DJ’s aid. Also, the lineup was peculiar, with upcoming acts interspersed with the A and B-listers. One moment you have 2star General performing, the next moment, there’s Tiwa Savage.
The Mavin Records first lady was electric, as she performed seamlessly running through her hit songs ‘My darlin’, ‘Kele kele love’, ‘Oyari’, ‘African Waist’, and many more. There were dancers to accompany her set, adding sexy choreography to her every move.
Another act who did impress was Mr 2kay, who has had a measure of success with his releases from last year to date. He did perform his songs ‘Count it all joy’, and ‘Bad girl special’, Baseone also worked the crowd with his indigenous rap, Que Peller had magic up his sleeve, Dice Ailes made everyone love him with the live band, Poe and Funbi put up a formidable appearance, Saeon gave her off her energy, and 2star General brought old timey reggae back.
Phyno gave a good account of why he is regarded as one of the best rappers in the country. Hit after hit rolled through his performance, as he exuded stage presence. Timaya was goofy, prayerful and brilliantly insulting, giving everyone the most engaging performance of the night. Small Doctor was the most energetic. The street rapper came up with insane levels of energy, which made him climb the stage tower, to perform. Adekunle Gold made love become tangible, and Yemi Alade, good lord, Yemi Alade was the total package of a performer.
Not all was Nigerian, as South African acts K.O and Ricky Rick, brought the Hip-hop sounds that pervade their country, and which they have exported down here. Nigerians felt there stage vibes, and danced to their hit songs.
D’banj rapped things up in confident style, flirting on stage, digging deep into his discography, and unearthing songs such as ‘Olorun maje’ and ‘Suddenly’. 11 years’ worth of showmanship has refined his act to stratospheric levels, as he combined delightful raunchiness with generosity and dancing to end the night on a high.
Gidi Culture Festival in 2016 leaves many with more than they expected, with every turn promising a greater level of pleasure. There were shouts for more of this next year, but with the powers of EclipseLive, we wouldn’t have this next year. What would be, will definitely be greater than this.