Lagos: Afropolitan Vibes to go quarterly

Speaking during the 17 March event, which had Adekunle Gold, Tomi Thomas, Majek Fashek and the Obadikah Brass Band as guest performers, Ade Bantu, lead singer of the host 13-piece band, Bantu, said the decision was taken to expand the reach of the show.

“Afropolitan Vibes is going to go to the Mainland,” he said. “We are going to go to Africa. We need to prepare.”

The announcement was met with chants and boos from fans gathered at the Freedom Park, Lagos venue, perhaps in consideration of a Lagos nightlife deprived of one of its major monthly fixtures.

The Afropolitan Vibes concert held its first edition four years ago, and since then has gone through changes. Initially a free concert, the show now requires 1500 naira ($5) as entry fee. The show has moved from the smaller amphitheatre stage at Freedom Park to the venue’s larger stage, its audience having grown.

“We have plans to add other elements to the platform,” producers of the show told Music in Africa. “These will include radio and live shows in other occasions during the intervening months. We also made the choice so we can develop the concept of the festival. We want it to be the biggest festival in Africa within three years.”

The next Afropolitan Vibes concert will take place on 16 June.