Despite low turn up, Patoranking gave his best. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
Before even the show happened, there was already controversy about the organiser, the ticket pricing, timing and so forth. So it was perhaps no surprise when a few people showed up on Friday for the Wilmer Concert headlined by Nigerian star Patoranking.
At 9pm, Lugogo Cricket Oval was still visibly empty and the gloomy weather was not making things any promising.
Inside the oval grounds, DJs Alibreezy, Naselow and Kasbaby were getting the crowd dancing in the muddy grounds. They played music back to back as comedian Salvado, who was the host of the show, got the performers ready. Among those lined up was Vinka, Cindy, Karole Kasita, Beenie Gunter and Big Tril, who performed Parte after Parte thrice.
Fik Fameica, on the other hand, who closed the local lineup, was also a crowd favourite as he performed most of his songs alongside dancer Wembley.
He left the perfect energy to welcome the Nigerian star, who was introduced by his personal hypeman hypeman. It was 10 minutes to midnight and it was clear the KCCA rules would be broken.
The low turn up had nothing on Patoranking’s performance because he came on with the energy, opening with Suh Different.
He thanked Ugandans for loving him and allowing him perform here again. “It rained heavily but thanks for turning up and thanks for braving the rain to celebrate with me,” Patoranking said before performing Another Level, Make Am, Love You Die, This Kind Love, Melanin featuring Sauti Sol and Daniella Wine, among others.
“Shoutout to Ugandans that are making good music, I want to big up Vinka, Grenade, John Blaq, Beenie Gunter but most of all, allow me to introduce this talented Ugandan artiste on the stage,” Patoranking said as he beckoned Fik Fameica, with whom he later performed Omubwaati.
For a show with the title of his newest album, it was surprising and disappointing that Patoranking did not perform any of the tracks off it.