There isn’t much that will get Londoners out during the Big Freeze but nonetheless fans flocked to North Greenwich on Sunday evening for global superstar Davido‘s record-breaking run. Before even arriving into the Arena, the atmosphere throughout the O2 felt electric, a palpable buzz filling the air.
As the show commenced you could see the stage in its resplendent, timeless shop backdrop. Davido descended from a suspended bed singing his first notes, starting with renditions of ‘Dami Duro’, ‘Skelewu’ and ‘Aye’, the classics going down a treat. The Compozers live arrangement upped the ante and occasionally mellowed out some of the harsher sound quality issues.
Next we got an outfit change with Davido re-entering the stage clad in a traditional burgundy ensemble for ‘NA MONEY’ – the legend that is Angelique Kidjo joined him before her own electrifying set. The promise of special guest appearances continued to be met with Logos Olori’s deep cut performance of ‘PICASSO’; ‘NO COMPETITION’ served as a prelude to the Afrobeats riser Morravey’s set, the audience receptive to her playfulness as she coasted through ‘IN THE GARDEN’ and ‘MAGICIAN’.
The energy levels were fever pitch at this point. Davido performed a segment with less vocal showpieces and more feel-good dance moments like the Popcaan-assisted ‘Risky’, before Kizz Daniel was welcomed to the stage. Showcasing his prowess as an agile performer, Davido ascended on a platform mid arena for gargantuan singles ‘If’, ‘Fall’ and ‘FIA’, further stunning fans as he teleported to the seated section of the crowd within arm’s reach for a gospel moment. New age favourites like ‘Sensational’ brought the heat just as the stage side panels were engulfed in artificial flames. As the show drew to an end, cannons erupted and confetti floated for GRAMMY-nominated bops ‘FEEL’ and ‘UNAVAILABLE’, Musa Keys tapping in for the technicolour finale.
With many of the acts signed to Davido’s label DMW, the night felt like a family affair where only the most talented cousins were invited. Davido’s cross-genre flair was evident throughout as were glimmering moments of Nigerian culture. Despite Davido himself leaving the stage several times, the evening maintained a celebratory feel throughout, speaking to Davido’s longevity, communal reach and positioning as one of the “Big Three”.
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Words: Shanté Collier-McDermott
