On the 3rd of November 2024, I had my first real concert experience! I said “real” because I’ve obviously attended concerts before, but they were in churches and you had seats and they were very organised. This concert was very different from what I had in mind!
Every year (I think), Prinx Emmanuel, a Christian artiste, hosts a concert, REVERB, where he invites other Christian artistes to come perform/minister. This was the 4th edition but it was the first time I had heard about it.
A friend shared the poster on his WhatsApp status in October and said Andendlessocean (AEO), my favourite artiste, would be coming! Yooooo! AEO in Port Harcourt?! I knew I wasn’t gonna miss that for anything!
As time went on, other artistes were added to the lineup and it just added to the excitement. All my artistes in one building? Let’s have it!!!!
3RD OF NOVEMBER
The day before, I ironed my clothes and laid everything out in anticipation. I made sure I had enough money in my account because I’d hate to be stranded!
For a concert that was to start by 5pm, with almost everyone in Port Harcourt planning to attend, you just had to get there really early! Unfortunately, despite all my plans, I did not… But you know how Nigerian time works, they didn’t let people in until much later.
Thankfully, I met up with a few friends at the gate and we were kinda together till the end.
At the gate, we showed the bouncers our tickets, then they let us in. After that, the staff scanned our tickets and gave us the wristbands and that made me so happy, because I’ve always wanted to experience that!!!
After this came the chaos…
We all stood in line for some time, waiting for the organisers to open the main door. When they eventually did, it was so crazyy and it was so funny to me for some reason. You know when you’re all struggling to get into a class at school or some other place and you’re moving, but you know you’re not doing anything. If you were careless with your phone here, otilor (it’s gone). Somehow, after all the commotion, we found ourselves inside. Yayyyy!
I think it was when we got into the venue that it finally dawned on me that we would stand till the end of the concert! I just kept praying my legs wouldn’t give up on me. Like you can do that any other day, but not today, please!
We were there for a while, until the beautiful/handsome hosts came up and the concert finally began.
Bro, I get that they had to let the upcoming artistes (no offence) perform first, but they did that for hours! At different intervals, I had to just squat.
Not too long after, my power bank died and my phone was below 20%. The anxiety I had managed to push aside started resurfacing. “I wouldn’t be able to record my favourite artistes when they eventually come up.” I wasn’t so worried about that though, because like I said earlier, I was with friends. I could just get videos from C whenever we meet in school. The issue was how I would book a ride to go home later? 😭
I just kept asking the Holy Spirit to help me figure something out later, cause I didn’t want that to affect my mood.
I think Prinx Emmanuel was the first ‘major’ artiste to come up? I’m not sure.
His team members were all so beautiful! Oh my God! Then their voices? Heavenly! I think they should be the second best Nigerian Choir I’ve ever heard (the first being 121 Selah). They sang a few songs that I was familiar with and others I wasn’t and bro, I’ve been slacking! I need to go stream his songs ASAP.
They performed an unreleased song that I fell in love with immediately! Take me back to that night!
At some point, I left the venue with a friend to eat. Make I no faint. We did all of that quickly and went back inside.
ANENDLESSOCEAN!
Idk about other people, but I came to the concert for him!!!
I could finally tick it off my bucket list! And I kid you not, it was part of my bucket list. 💀
AEO knows how to handle his audience so well!
His set was too short mehn! I was busy learning lyrics from his recently released album – OCTAGON thinking he’ll perform at least one song from it, but nope. He didn’t even sing JUBA. Tsk.
Hearing him perform ‘NAZARENE’live was a surreal experience though! 🥹
IBQUAKE
First of, Ibquake is such a gorgeous woman! Oh my God!
She’s so good at what she does!
I wish I took videos and pictures of her ministration, but it’s alright. I’ll get more opportunities (prophesying).
GREATMAN TAKIT X KO’RALE
Like I said, I don’t remember the exact sequence that night, but I do remember the hosts saying Prinx Emmanuel was going to come up and everybody grumbled so loudly! Cause why?!
A few minutes later, we were all glad or at least I was, cause Greatman Takit came on stage!!!!
If you know me well, you’ll know I don’t joke with Greatman’s songs!!! He’s gifted both as a worshipper and a rapper. I don’t even know which side I like more.
Anyways, he came on and they sang some of Prinx Emmanuel’s songs together before they got into Greatman’s songs.
They sang ‘Correct’ and I was so happy!!! That should be my favourite song of his. I know it word for word, so I had the best time when he performed it. Some strangers beside tapped me at some point and were like “excuse me, what’s the name of this song”. I told them (proudly) “Correct by Greatman”. W interaction. Hehe.
When I least expected it, they called Ko’rale out and I was like “WHAT????! They MUST perform Commando. I’d be pissed if they don’t” And they did! It was so amazing. I literally had goosebumps. (I didn’t but it was so good).
Ko’rale performed his song “Ogologo”. Another song I know word for word. I was kinda sad they performed that song, ‘cause I had been gatekeeping it for so long. Smh.
You see Ogologo, Correct, Commando and a few songs from Greatman’s last EP, those are my jamsss. I have a playlist that’s still in the works, but I’ll share the link. You can listen here.
Greatman also performed his new song “Finidi George (If I Hear Peem)” which is out now and it was such a beautiful experience.
Limoblaze also came on stage after Greatman and Ko’rale left, but my mum instructed me to come home! Tsk! Well, it was almost 11pm sooo, fairrr. I have no regrets by the way. I’d do it again…. sorry mother.
Pst Noble G ministered and it was equally beautiful! I also couldn’t stay for Victor Thompson’s session but with his voice and gift, I can only imagine how lovely it must have been.
I really love that Prinx Emmanuel brought Pst Lanre Oluseye of House on the Rock (PH) to exhort us for a while. He talked about PURPOSE and it was inspiring.
Pst George Izunwa also exhorted on the same topic, I think.
In all, it was such a 10/10 experience.
I just realised something while writing this. Before AEO came on stage, I was so exhausted and ready to go home, but from his set down to Greatman’s, I was dancing and jumping! I don’t know where the strength came from but it was crazyyy!
Anyways, that was that.
Thankfully, a friend, was headed towards my area, so I booked a ride with her phone. Then the Bolt driver helped me charge my phone, and I was able to pay. The Bolt prices that night were insane, but we thank God! Lmao.
3 things I realised after that experience:
- You need to make sure your phone and other devices are fully charged!! Very important!!! It’ll save you a lot of regret.
- I don’t think I can attend any concert alone. I’ll feel really anxious and overwhelmed.
- I still would love to attend more concerts in the future and create more beautiful memories with my friendssss. If only I lived in Lagos. Tsk.
Byeee!
