on the original track. The result was simply amazing. Only a few pop artistes have come close to putting together a worthwhile show, while artistes regarded as local performers give a sterling performance. The ever-faithful Fuji musicians do a better job of live performance. Fantastic improvisation! You'll often hear Fuji buffs relishing their experience on Kwam1's latest live performance recording, Pasuma wonder's upcoming show- Their fans always have something new to look forward to. It is not enough that our pop musicians feature each other and we see them together in concerts. We want to see a build up of their concerts/ public performance, we want to watch their rehearsal sessions, creatively built stages that inspire, smoke screens, pop-ups and stuffs we just didn't see on their regular music video. I think pop artistes should be made to realise that paying audience are tired of the laid back miming's they have served in the last two decades. Interestingly, most of these artistes claim 'the Legendary Abami Eda; Fela Anikulapo Kuti' is their inspiration yet they've never for once put together not even a two-piece instrumental live band. Femi's Sunday Jump at the
Africa Shrine, Lagbaja's monthly show at Motherlan' and Beautiful Nubia's Eniobanke shows are examples of how live performances should be. This makes us ask: does it mean only music of traditional or afro origin can are expected to use full instrumentals during performances while pop music may not do same? I'll like to hear anyone say yes so I can smack him or her in the face with my laptop! Mtv Unplugged- Lil' Wayne (hip-hop), the Grammys- Jay z, Eminem, Nas and the list goes on. What that simply guarantees is: ? The audience would have gone home satis?ed and derived value for money spent ? More audience at the next concerts which results in more revenue ? Live performances breeds respect and followership for the artiste ? Artistes and show promoters can generate more revenue by releasing live performance or tour albums Fans would de?nitely want to buy the concert album too even if they already have the full album, because they know they are getting something even better. Here on the local scene however, we don't even dare package a tour album, knowing fully well that no one would buy it since they were at the show and
it wasn't the least bit impressive. It only means the organisers/artistes are short-changing themselves because next show sales aren't guaranteed, and they can't increase pro?tability through concert album sales. The successful artiste in Europe will after some years churn out a box-set with best collections, concerts collection, different live performances which will sell like bean cakes to those who were not able to attend and heard of how great the shows were, and to those who attended but want to relive the experience. Our local music organisers and artistes need to step up their game by putting together breath-taking concerts and they can be sure of return on investments regardless of how much tickets are sold. All this happens when they are known for nothing but the best. The essentials of music concerts should cover superb showmanship which means satisfaction for the audience, sold out tickets which mean a lot of money for the organisers; the overall effect of which is positive social well-being and boost to the economy. This mix is what guarantees an ENCORE!!!