The new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, is upsetting plans for individuals and countries hoping to have at least a degree of normalcy this yuletide season. The celebrations that often mark the season were suspended last year since the pandemic began.
Music concerts and tour companies hoping to get back to the groove this year are now reconsidering their plans since South Africa announced the new variant which experts say is more transmissible but uncertain if it causes more disease than its predecessor, Delta. Over 20 countries have reported cases of the variant. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) so far confirmed only three cases of the variant.
How Omicron will impact celebrations in Nigeria was seen when the Governor Ben Ayade has cancelled the famous Calabar Festival.
Detty December — as the season is christened — is always lined up with music concerts and other festivities. It is a season for the cool kids, the ‘pepper dem gengs’ and ‘I just got back (IJGB)’ to show their dynamic style. Some of the events that usually stand out this period include the Flytime Music Festival, Soundcity MVP Awards, XChange 100, Greater Lagos Fiesta, Livespot X Festival and Born in Africa Festival.
A few of these events have altered their programmes while some are yet to unveil any plans for the season. For instance, Greater Lagos Festival, a Lagos State Government initiative, initially scheduled for December 1 was suspended after health officials warned of a fourth wave of the virus. However, Flytime Music Festival is still going on with their plans from the updates on their official Instagram account.
Starting with the Wizkid concert on December 21, the line-up events include Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged slated for December 23 at Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Artists like Blaqbonez, Teni the Entertainer, Ladipoe will be performing at the event. Celebrating Davido’s music career, the festival will be wrapping off with the artist concert. The four-day music festival will be requiring attendees to show their proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test done within 48 hours of the concert date.
For Livespot X Festival, the season will be a six-day affair starting on December 16. Known for spellbinding concerts such as the Cardi B concert in Lagos in 2019, the organisers are promising another memorable experience this yuletide season.
One of the concerts that will make fans go gaga is the advertised reunion of the Okoye twins, P-Square. After five years of their disbandment, the twins will be performing together for the first time at the Reactivated concert scheduled for December 18 at the Livespot Entertainment Centre, Ikate, Lagos. Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Tems will also be headlining their concerts with DJ Spinall crowning the event with a Party of Dreams.
One of the unique events curated by the organisers is the Gen Z Republic. It is an immersive space that offers everything the younger generation is interested in. From music, arts, dance to games, the space opens daily and will have artists like Omah Lay, CKay, Wurld performing.
It is unlikely that Nigerians will spend the season indoors again going by the number of events. If anything, they are likely to get vaccinated and attend the shows, which in the long run, is a good way to ramp up vaccinations in the country. Whether Omicron persists or not, the show should go on.
