The much publicized second edition of the Vodafone 020 Live Concert could not live up to the level of the biggest party of the year, like the organizers promised patrons of the event during the publicity campaign.
In spite of challenges right from the planning stages, the organizers managed to make it happen inside the Dome at the Accra International Conference Centre, last Tuesday September 20, 2011. If the standard set by Vodafone and Roster 2000, with last year’s maiden event where Nigerian twin singers P-Square headlined, is anything to go by, then comparatively last Saturday’s show was a flop.
The over 4000 capacity auditorium was fully packed with a very wide stage set up with six large projected screens (two left, two right)projecting what was going on to the crowd, and two other projected effects in Vodafone colours as well as pictures and names of artistes performing.
The 020 Live logo was designed in a sizeable round shape decorated with red lights, on the background of the stage. Lights, sound, microphones and the general technical stage set up were professionally done, but the artistes especially the Ghanaian artistes who were supposed to use the stage to entertain the crowd, flopped shamefully with the exception of VIP, and to some extent R2Bees.
As usual, the show which was supposed to start at 7pm, started some minutes to 9pm. Before the main show started, Nii Aryee Tagoe, DJ for the night had a big party with the crowd who danced the night away with both old and new songs. “Muge baya boys” 5Five, kick started the night with their normal appearance, with all three of them in an all white out fits. Apart from dancing “Azonto” to their own popular songs, the Adabraka based Hiplife group had nothing extraordinary to show on stage.
The flat performance by Vodafone Icons winners RnM’s added nothing to the show that could remind the audience of their performance. Amber Rose who only came to showcase her dresses and the beauty of her body was almost non-existent on stage. Her inclusion as an MC for the show seemed absolutely unnecessary as co-MC Eddy Blay single handedly took control of the show.
Stay Jay was swallowed by the size of stage. He bored the crowd with too many unknown songs before he finally performed his popular hit song “Shashee wowo”. D-Cryme was the worst performer on the night. He made an effort to perform with live band but whoever gave him that advice did him a great disservice.
He came on stage with over 20 member full brass band who tried very had to play his songs live while he delivered his rap lines but they played as though they were playing for a float on the street. D-Cryme performed about four songs including his hit song “Kill Me Shy” live, and most people in the crowd virtually begged him to leave the stage until he finally decided to play “Kill Me Shy” from a CD.
Nima based Hiplife group VIP was Ghana’s pride on the night. The trio brought their usual energy on stage and kept the crowd on their feet, dancing to their countless hit songs back to back.
Kokomaster D’banj who performed live all through mesmerized his “Kokolets” (The ladies) with hit after hit from “Why Me”, “Fall In Love” and “Mr. Endowed” to his new single “Oliver Twist”.
The ladies screamed in excitement when D’banj threw his designer suit into the crowd and took off his top to expose his sexy chest. Even though D’banj’s performance went down well with the crowd especially the ladies, his performance looked quite disorganized as it took him several minutes before he appeared on stage after the MCs announced his name, and he kept going on and off the stage. His kid brother K-Swizz, Wande Coal, and Prince took part of D’banj’s time on stage to impose their unknown songs on Ghanaians.
Tema based R2Bees who refused to come on stage when their name was mentioned earlier on, had no other choice than take part of D’banj’s time to perform just two songs “Kiss Your Hand” with Wande Coal, and their new hit “Ageeeiii”. Though the crowd responded very well to their performance, it was obvious there was a problem between the duo and the organizers backstage.
It was then time for headline artiste Trey Songz to make a grand appearance on stage to perform for the expectant crowd, and it took the “Say Aah” hit maker a long time to come on stage. The fully packed Dome went dark and quiet (No lights, no music) for over 30, minutes whiles the already tired crowd waited to see their star and the organizers did not even have the courtesy to apologize to the crowd or render an explanation for that avoidable delay.
When Trey Songz finally appeared, he also refused to apologize to the crowd for the delay. Nonetheless, Trey Songz performed fantastically on stage. His voice delivery was superb and his stage antics were on point. The crowd especially the ladies sang along every single song he performed.
Security at the event was nothing to write home about as security personnel from Edern Security Services, one of the security companies contracted for the night, fought with everybody including media men, artistes and even the manager of the venue, even when they had accepted tags and tickets.
In a nut shell, Vodafone 020 Live 2011 was not worth the GH¢50 (Standard) and GH¢100 (VIP) charged, as gate fee. If Vodafone have enough money to spend they should employ professionals and the right artistes.
Source: PeacefmOnline.Com
I was there and it was fun, the programme did not flop. I don’t know why Ghanaian journalists are so negetive nowadays.
why do ghanaians a;lways complain when an international artist performs in ghana? and people wonder why international artist dont like coming to ghana. thats why people dont like coming to ghana. the concert was great. why u talking shit for .? am still waiting for akon to come to ghana again
@merel,Good one merely it’s only Ghana that things like that happen
im surprised GC never wrote there logo name on amber roses picture lmao.. lamezszsz
was she singing or rapping. Vodafon has gone to a new low.. this girl is more or less a porn pics- star. That’s the image they want for their product.