A surge of electricity buzzed around The O2 this Saturday. From North Greenwich Underground to the doors of the arena, the air hummed with energy emanating from thousands of people ready to experience the icon of modern-day Afro-fusion in the flesh. This is Asake – his greatness precedes him.
The London leg of the Lungu Boy World Tour sent waves across the city, drawing fans from far and wide. Just over one year since his debut headline performance at The O2 in 2023, Asake returned once more for a second sold-out performance, hot on the heels of his third studio album, Lungu Boy.
Known for his high-energy, genre-bending music, the show was a sound bath of Asake’s sonic wonderland, and a celebration of songs that have provided a soundtrack to the lives of Afrobeats lovers worldwide. Mr Money With The Vibe works magic whenever his discography is played, but nothing compares to experiencing it live surrounded by twenty thousand fellow fans.
When the lights dimmed at 9.30pm, the crowd erupted, singing along to Lungu Boy’s opening track “Start” before being hyped up by Idris Elba behind the decks. As the intro music reached a climax, the black curtain dominating the centre of the stage suddenly dropped and Asake himself descended from the sky on a floating podium to meet a sea of roaring supporters.
The evening was an ode to Asake’s new era – he performed an array of tracks from the Lungu Boy album, taking fans on his journey whilst singing, dancing and DJing through the night. The crowd belted out songs from “My Heart” to “Suru”, and danced until their feet hurt, soaking up bangers from “Fuji Vibe” to “Uhh Yeahh”.
The show was elevated even more with surprise guest appearances including hometown hero, Stormzy, skilful producer, Sarz, and fellow global Afrobeats icon, Wizkid who came out to perform “MMS” – a standout moment that had the crowd stirred up with elation.
The richness of the musical experience was amplified by live instruments, with violinists gracing the stage for “Remember” and a saxophonist serenading “Lonely At The Top”, accompanied by an audience singing their hearts out.
Beyond being sonically impressive, the show was also a visual spectacle, with pyrotechnics, smoke machines and dramatic light shows creating a feast for the eyes. Asake quite literally reached new heights for “Active”, where he soared through the air, sky-high, like a superhero. However, in alignment with the homegrown theme of the album, the visuals also drew attention to Asake’s more humble roots – the stage was decorated with signposts representing different areas of his homeland including Lagos Island, Kakawa St, CMS, Oluwole and Adeniji Adele.
And when it comes to remembering his roots, Asake also made sure to weave the old into the new, paying homage to some of his earlier fan favourites. Few words can describe the euphoria in the audience during the anthems that closed out the show: Palazzo, Joha, Sungba and Peace Be Unto You set the crowd on fire. If you wanted to see proof of pure, unfettered joy, all you had to do was look around you.
In one heartfelt moment, the hit-maker paused to soak up the incredible energy pouring out from the audience, an ocean of lights exploding into cheers of adoration. “Wow. Wow. You guys love me like this? Wow!” Yes, Asake. Yes we do.
Just like Asake’s energy precedes him, it also follows in his wake; the sheer joy and exhilaration instilled by the performance remained in the spirit of the audience long after his closing notes. This night will form a core memory for many who had the privilege of experiencing it. Asake conquered The O2 again – it’s his world, we’re just vibing in it.
(Image Credits: Wired PR)