World Music Day (WMD) may take place annually around the globe on June 21; but this year, it started early in Nigeria. In fact, it started on June 13 when the Electronic Soundscapes music workshop organised by Goethe-Institut Nigeria, Alliance Francaise and Institut Francaise of Nigeria in Abuja culminate in a concert at the Federal Government Printing Press building on Broad Street in Lagos.
At press time, the information from the organisers was that the concert would feature the best of European and Nigerian electronic music with live performances from the participants and facilitators from Nigeria, France and Germany beginning from 7pm.
The second concert from the workshop will take place in Abuja on June 20 in commemoration of WMD.
But a day before the music goes to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the monthly Afropolitan Vibes concert will take place on Friday, June 19, at Freedom Park. Ade Bantu, who conceived the concert that has been on for more than two years, told TheNiche that this edition will feature highlife singer, Sunny Neji; Afro-electro group, Kahli Abdu & VHS Safari. Also on the bill is Afropop vocalist, Geoffrey; Dancehall artiste, Oge Kimono; and the Bantu band.
What is more; special guest for the night will be DJ Cuppy.
The concert will take place at Freedom Park, Lagos.
Apart from partnering the Abuja concert, Alliance Francaise will return to Freedom Park on the evening of June 20 also for WMD featuring Lagbaja, Sound Sultan, and Squard 1 Productions. Comedienne Princess will serve as anchor for this concert that will begin by 7pm. All concerts at the former prison now theme park are free, but visitors are expected to pay a park fee.
Also on Sunday, June 21 by 6pm at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, the WMD party will continue with a free concert courtesy of Alliance Francaise.
Concerts will also take place at different venues across the city of Lagos to mark WMD, including at the Africa Shrine.
WMD is a day which different annual festivals are held all around the world to celebrate the magical gift of music. It takes the form of a free public event, which takes place each year on June 21 in more than 104 countries and 514 cities around the world.
The event, originated in France in 1982, is also known as Fete de la Musique. Since then, the idea has spread across the world with each event holding to the same set of principles: that the day is held on the mid-summer solstice and that all concerts and events are free to the public, with a non-profit making objective. Typically, music is brought onto the streets.