Davido Timeless concert in Lagos.
Throughout his career, Davido has consistently incorporated captivating public performances into his repertoire, creating a spectacle that has become a defining characteristic of his brand. Whether softly emoting through his romantic cuts at wedding ceremonies, leading vociferous renditions of his songs at his own shows, or running through breathless live interpretations of his evergreen hits at arena-sized venues, Davido has elevated the art of live performance across his 11-year stint at the top of afrobeats.
More than any other city in the world, Lagos has often been ground zero for the singer’s level-ups and innovations in terms of performance. Almost every year since his breakout has featured a highly-anticipated performance — usually in December — to deepen his connection with a home audience that has played a critical role in propelling him to global attention. Last year was a break from that norm due to the heartbreaking passing of his three-year-old son which necessitated a needed reprieve from his role as afropop’s premier starter, if only for a while.
The arrival of Davido’s fourth album, Timeless, at the end of March always meant that things were going to get kicked up a notch as Davido returned to public life. With a favourable public reaction to the album, the prospect of those lively Davido performances making a return was basically a foregone conclusion. Last Sunday, the Davido Timeless Event rolled into Lagos at the Tafawa Balewa Square with thousands of people coming to celebrate an artist who has provided countless moments of joy for them. Here are six highlights from Davido’s Lagos Timeless concert.
Lagos was delighted to see Davido’s comeback
It had been nearly 18 months since Davido performed in Lagos, and there was palpable excitement in the days leading up to the Timeless concert. That enthusiasm was shared by a large crowd at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS). Despite the fact that the event began hours after its scheduled 2 p.m. start time, the streets around TBS had been packed since the afternoon as people came out to celebrate Davido’s return. Once the event began, the biggest applause was reserved for Davido, who performed for over two hours, with fans enthusiastically singing both old and new songs and responding to every cue from the DMW boss.
Davido.Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
Davido Timeless concert in Lagos: A world-class production
With so much riding on the Timeless Event, there was no way Davido would settle for a concert that would be forgotten quickly. He promised to put on a great show in a social media post. “To all of my Fans and Friends, I’m looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow,” he said. “We have set the stage for a world-class show like never before in the city of Lagos.”
That promise was kept, as every effort was made to provide a fitting event for his home audience. The time and effort put into making this a successful production were on display, from the massive stage outfitted with invisible screens that formed a replica of Lagos’ iconic National Theatre to well-defined sitting and standing areas and a sound system that worked flawlessly. Fans were able to enjoy live performances from Davido and his supporting cast, with the exception of ticketing issues.
A Timeless discography
Few people can boast the discography that Davido possesses. The 30-year-old’s discography is chock-full of songs that span genres, moods, and emotions. Davido’s nearly three-hour-long performance on Sunday demonstrated just how deeply rooted in afrobeats history and culture he is with fans who can correctly follow every song from the first second. The crowd was pumped up by songs like “Dami Duro,” “Back When,” “Gobe”, “Skelewu”, “Aye” and “FIA.”
With the eager response of the crowd and how easily songs from Timeless synced with other songs from Davido’s previous eras, the show was also a true measure of how well-accepted the new album has come. From opening his set with the emotional “LCND,” to having the crowd sing-along for “FEEL,” to closing with the Musa Keys-featuring “UNAVAILABLE,” Davido demonstrated the depths of a truly timeless discography he has built over the course of 12 years.
Davido and Asake.Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
An electrifying Asake cameo
In the midst of a night filled with outstanding performances, YBNL’s Asake managed to capture the public’s attention and stand out. It didn’t take long for Davido to land on “NO COMPETITION,” his collab with Asake, after inviting guests from his Timeless album to share the stage with him during song performances. Some of the loudest applause of the night came when the “Sungba” singer jumped on stage to join Davido for his verse. Following that, Asake delighted the audience by performing two more of his own hits, “Joha” and “Terminator.”
We got to see the new and old DMW
The announcement that Davido would be refreshing the roster of his celebrated record label, DMW, was an intriguing subplot to the release of Timeless. Fans were introduced to the talented acts expected to lead the second iteration of his label, Morravey and Logos Olorim, who appeared on Timeless on “IN THE GARDEN” and “PICASSO,” respectively, as part of that announcement.
Sunday’s Timeless Event was their big break, as they shared the stage with Davido for live renditions of their songs, offering a glimpse into the talents that have made them Davido’s hand-picked proteges. Morravey and Logos Olori’s success, on the other hand, will undoubtedly build on the success of the DMW alumni who helped the label become one of the most influential Nigerian record labels of the 2010s. DMW alumni such as Mayorkun and Peruzzi were on the ground to treat the audience to some of their old hits as well as songs such as “The Best” and “Majesty,” reminding concert-goers of the timeless music made during DMW’s earlier years.
An Adeleke family party
Davido has repeatedly demonstrated that family and friends are an important part of his life. So it was no surprise to see members of the Adeleke family prominently featured at the Timeless Event. Davido’s cousins, B-Red and Sina Rambo, were given ample time to perform some of their songs, while their father, Osun state governor Ademola Jackson Adeleke, was given a special moment of recognition by Davido before the line dedicated to him on “OVER DEM”- “Who knows say Uncle Demola go become governor”- was performed with aplomb to an audience that shouted the line right back at Davido.
Davido and Asake embrace.Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
The crowd at the Davido Timeless concert in Lagos.
Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
Davido.
Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
A man (Aremu Precious) holds a framed picture of himself and Davido at the concert.
Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
A tattoo of Davido spotted in the crowd.
Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
Davido.
Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
Crowd smokers at the Davido concert in Lagos.
Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
More of the crowd at the Davido Timeless concert in Lagos.
Photo: Chinonso Ihekire.
A fan sings along in the crowd at Davido Timeless concert in Lagos
