COVID-19 threatens to ruin Dettydecember as concerts are canceled

In Nigeria, the term Detty December is used to describe how fun the month will be; not because of Christmas, but because of all the raves and concerts that are always lined up in December. 

From the 20th of December till the New Year, it is always back-to-back partying. 

By this time, the ‘I Just Got Back people’ (a term for Nigerian returnees from abroad), would have arrived and the fun will be turned up. 

Sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has placed a ban on clubbing and concert, making December 2020 a ‘clean December’. The PUNCH highlights some highly anticipated concerts that revelers will miss out on. 

One Lagos Fiesta 

This event, sponsored by the Lagos State government, has been running for over five years. The week-long concert usually begins on December 24 and ends on New Year’s Day. 

It is always so much fun as there are various spots where the concerts happen simultaneously with artistes performances.

Last year, dozens of A-list music artistes penned down to thrill fun seekers at 40 concerts in five centers across the state. The fun spots were in Ikeja, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry and Lagos Island. 

It was indeed lit. But this year the event will not hold. 

Olamide Live in Concert (OLIC) 

Lovers of YBNL record label boss, Olamide, surely know that if his annual concert will hold this year, radio stations will have been running his jingles for weeks before now, as well as television stations making its announcement. 

Olamide held his first concert in December 2014 and ever since then, the event has grown exponentially. It is usually one of the most anticipated events in the music industry’s calendar, especially as he will bring on board his friends, protégés and label mates. 

According to songkicks.com, about 24,073 fans get concert alerts for this artist, but till now, no date has been announced for the singer’s concerts or tours. 

Wizkid Live in concert 

Starboy is another A-list artiste that holds his concerts annually in various parts of Lagos and other countries, most especially in London. 

In fact, in December 2018, Wizkid and Olamide’s concert dates clashed but both artistes, in the spirit of sportsmanship, performed at each other’s concerts despite the date clash. 

So far, it seems party-goers would have to wait till 2021 to rave with the Starboy as no date has been set for his concert. 

Falz Experience concert 

Popular rap artiste and actor Falz often time begins his concert before other artistes. His first ever Falz Experience was on December 20, 2017, and it was indeed a breath-taking experience. 

A well-crafted blend of movie, music and comedy, Falz always kills his show.

In fact, he has the Falz Experience on Netflix. His show is always a good way to start the Detty December. 

However, this year, nothing is being heard about the Falz Experience. It is obvious that he has shelved the idea due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Flytime Music Festival 

The Flytime Promotion has always outdone themselves with the music festival which began in 2004. 

It is indeed always one of the most talked-about concerts in December majorly because they always invite an international superstar like Boyz 2 Men, Megan Thee Stallion, among others. 

This year, it seems the concert will be on hold for the safety of Nigerians, no thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

THE LIVESPOT X FESTIVAL 

If you were at THE LIVESPOT X FESTIVAL last year, you will definitely be pained that the event will not hold this year. 

The event trended for days on social media simply because the organizers of the show brought the hottest female rapper on the planet, Cardi B, to Nigeria to thrill her fans. 

That was the American artiste’s first time in Nigeria and she had a ton of fun going by her documentation in Nigeria via her social media accounts. After her performance in Nigeria, she headed to Ghana* as well. This year’s edition of THE LIVESPOT X FESTIVAL could have been bigger and better but we may never know as the organizers have made no announcements.

 DMW Live in concert 

This year would have marked the first time popular singer, Davido, and his label mates would host their first-ever concert.

In a tweet announcing the concert, Davido noted that it had been in the pipeline for a long while and it was his dream to stage a DMW concert. Shortly after he made the announcement, his teeming fans were so excited. 

Sadly their joy was cut short as Davido had to announce that he will cancel the show due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The show may have been the ‘baddest’ this year but we will never know. 

 A few days ago, the Lagos State government via its Twitter handle stated that “Concerts, carnivals and street parties are banned in Lagos State until further notice.  

Night clubs have not been allowed to open yet. All night clubs in Lagos must immediately shut down, until further notice.  

The midnight to 4 am curfew imposed by the Federal Government remains in place.”