The latest edition of BudX Lagos took place at the Eko Convention Centre on Saturday 30th July 2022.
Nigeria is a country that houses some of the most bubbly people and it undeniably has a rich history. While we sometimes fall short of greatness in other aspects of the nation’s development, music has been our go-to distraction and avenue for relief. Over the years, we have come to appreciate our artists and their ability, and we collectively celebrate their representation of us on a global scale. Even more so now, at a time when our genre continues to penetrate through the world’s ears.
Budweiser is one brand that continues to curate experiences that highlight our strengths and resonate with many. They do this through the Smooth Kings Remix show, where artists are brought together to put a new spin on old classics. They also do this with the BudX Lagos live shows. Through masterclasses and the main concert event, Budweiser highlights significant stories and talents that leave an impression on the audience, bringing a feeling of community and togetherness to all present through music and conversation.
The latest edition of BudX Lagos took place at the Eko Convention Centre on Saturday 30th July 2022. It served as the kickoff for the 2022 FIFA World Cup — which they also sponsor. On that night we were treated to captivating performances from stars like Tiwa Savage, Teni, Wande Coal and Davido, to name a few. We also saw a winner of an all-expenses paid trip to the World Cup in November.
Budweiser and the artists of the night had something special for us. In addition to the decent stage design, the attendees were privileged to experience a concert that went on with minimal hitches in the sound engineering and all-round execution of the event. Reekado Banks came out with an energetic performance where he played a number of hits from his catalogue, ending with a rendition of “Ozumba Mbadiwe” to a standing ovation from the devoted crowd.
It was fun to see 2Baba back on stage. I personally have not seen him live for quite a while now. He produced a moving serenade where he touched on political instability and a need for us to collectively put right our wrongs in the forthcoming elections. It provided a little foil to the high energy of the night, and his message resonated with quite a few people around me that night.
Wande Coal’s set was packed full with hits, and he had the crowd on their feet from start to finish. In a set that lasted roughly 25 minutes, he ran through several classics and recent hits, like “Booty Call”, and “Gentility” to name a few. His performance reminded us of his immense talent that has remained relevant across different eras and generations of music.
The other stand-out performance was the one from Mr. Money. Asake’s discography might be lean for now, but his ability to captivate a crowd is unmatched. He performed his entire Ololade EP, along with mega-hits “PALAZZO” and the choric “Peace Be Unto You”. Clad in his green two-piece tracksuit, he cut the smoothest legwork during “Omo Ope” before proceeding to wave his hands to the crowd, directing us and invoking a collective willingness to sing. Right before us, the Eko Convention Centre became his playground and the audience, his choir.
It was a great night to celebrate Nigerian music. In a room filled with beautiful people, I felt connected to everyone, and I had fun with the rest of my friends that I went with. I am sure that, much like myself, other people wait in patient anticipation for what else Budweiser has in store for us.
Featured Image Credit: Geeshotit1, Thetobynoir
