Starboy delivers raw emotions and energy at 'Wiz On The Beach' [Review]

Even before the show began, we knew that there was going to be a problem. There was something in the air; an extra boost of energy, which made people more animated, danced like they were possessed, and drank like fishes who had Santa visit with endless bottles of alcohol.

This was the debut edition of ‘On The Beach’ concert, where an artist who had done well, and stayed strong in the good books of the sponsor was paid a lot of money and given a headline slot at a concert.

This year, Wizkid had won the lottery, solely because he has had such an amazing year, and everyone wanted to get a taste of him. His fan base has grown, his music has become more electric, and if he had farted on that stage, I bet his fans (who he refers to as ‘Wizkid FC) would thank him for his foul gas, and celebrate the privilege of receiving Starboy limited edition digestive gas.

We were at the Oniru Beach, where thousands of people had come out to celebrate with Wizkid, against the back drop of the sea. There was music from DJs Big N, Jimmy Jatt, and Spinall. Comedy was supplied by Ebiye and Pencil, and host duties were primarily placed on the shoulders of the energetic Shody. Alcohol flowed like a river, a live band was on standby, and food trays floated in and out of the venue. Everything was ticking nicely.

And then the performances started. Tiwa Savage led from the front. The singer has created a performance set that involves Kaffy and her dancers, DJ BigN and his vocal drops, and also a wild amount of movement and dancing which got the crowd to new heights.

Mr Eazi hit the stage, and held everyone spellbound for his entire duration. Next up was Wande Coal. It’s easy to forget how much hits Wande Coal has had in his career, but on that beach, he gave us a sweet reminder of his talents and depth of records.

And then it was time for Starboy. With a Wizkid performance, you never know what you get. I have watched him perform countless times over the past two years, but never can you put a finger on what he has in store. He doesn’t constantly change things. It just comes to him in spontaneous bits, and he rides it out on stage. This time, he came to make live music “for his people.”

As he got on stage, we knew something was up. Wizkid came dressed in a red t-shirt, with a red scarf wrapping his head. This wasn’t another Wizkid performance. It was charged. The crowd rushed forward, and screamed his name with every sound he made. They were rewarded for their display of affection.

“Eyin temi,” Wizkid addressed them fondly again as ‘My people’. “Let me hear you say yeah yeah.”

The crowd responded, spurring him to do the unthinkable. He did it. He chased away the journalists and people working the cameras from the front of the stage. “Right now, I want to do something. Cameramen, leave this place. I want to see my fans. Move away so I can perform for my fans.”

He asked security to move the journalists away, including those on stage. “Don’t come near me, I don’t want to see you on stage,” he told another cameraman. Looking down again, he threatened another with forceful removal from the venue. “I go tell security to carry you comot the show o,” he warned, prompting more movement of essential concert personnel.

After, that, he cleared security from the barricades, and fans rushed to the stage where he could feel their energy and dance with them, but that move brought problems. Thrice, Wizkid’s personal bodyguard and concert security caught people jumping on to the stage to hug Wizkid. One succeeded but he was eventually escorted off the stage.

The wild behaviour got to Wizkid who complained about their behaviour. “You see why I can’t use a stadium for a concert? Who will secure all of us like this” He asked, indirectly admitting that he has made an error. He had to stop his performance of ‘Pakurumo’, rescue a girl who was being assaulted in front of the stage.

“Please security, carry that girl comot for there come stage before they kill her. They don press her yansh finish,” he said. The grateful lady was lifted on to the stage, from where she enjoyed the rest of the show.

That aside, Wizkid was supported by Maleek Berry, CDQ, Shaydee, Runtown and DJ Maphorisa. Before rounding off with ‘Ojuelegba.’

It was a performance that didn’t offer much in stage-craft, but enough in energy and raw emotion. At the end, Wizkid launched the start of his fan base – Wizkid FC – who he said numbered over “50 billion,” in population strength. He held up a shirt to his fans.

And one daring fan, snatched it off his hands.