The rise of insurmountable shows in Ghana seemed fun at first, with a roster of events to attend, especially annual concerts from Ghanaian artistes in Accra. December was always a period to look forward to. I mean, who doesn’t want to meet up with old acquaintances and jam to songs from their favourite musical acts live on stage? But let’s face reality, these shows are becoming stale and boring.
Take a short walk with me.
Almost all the top artistes in the country are headlining their own shows, each occupying a day in December. It is obvious that December is the “cocoa season,” as Ghanaians would put it. Massive ticket sales mean a ripe harvest for our musicians. But what about the other months, which remain dormant with nothing interesting happening when they come around? Wouldn’t it be cool to schedule shows during those months? What’s preventing mainstream artists from joining forces, fixing a particular date, and headlining a single show, similar to the defunct ‘S’ concert back in the day.
I once came across a quote that reads, ‘When you let certain actions linger, they become tradition’. With that being said, upcoming artists who are the pick of the litter have also tapped into the December show market, following the example set by mainstream artists. Imagine 30 new acts gaining popularity after releasing a couple of dance tunes and then hosting their own shows in December. It may sound cynical, but think about it. No extensive music catalog or experience, just 10 songs and social media hype, adding to the long list of shows. When every artistes decides to host a show in December, who really pays the price?
Now you have to pay through the nose for tickets to attend shows with the same artistes on rotation. Same faces, same old songs, with poor stage craft, under different events. Rest assured, these artists will show up late and deliver mediocre performances under the guise of promoting the unity in Ghanaian music agenda. I pity fans who compromise their self respect to buy tickets just to stand all night waiting for these insensitive musicians, who are not time conscious.
READ ALSO:
- December in Ghana: A List of Top Events to Attend Across the Country
- 10 Must-Watch African Shows & Movies on Netflix This December
They say a little fun time never hurt anybody, right? Let me enlighten you on who these numerous shows in the city of Accra are subtly affecting. I call them the “inactive citizens.” These are the people who have no interest in or care about attending music concerts(old people, homebodies, and some of the working class). Imaging enduring a hectic day at the office to sitting in slow-moving traffic under Accra’s hot and unforgiving weather, all because crowds are flocking to see these so-called artists. What about people with critical health emergencies stuck in traffic because roads have been momentarily blocked for a convoy, led by a police motorcade, clearing the way for an artiste who decided to be late for their own show? No one talks about how the major roads from Spintex, 37 Military Hospital, Tema, Accra Mall, Madina, Lapaz, and other areas become heavily congested when it’s time for such shows.
You have other fans in other regions who are also dying to meet you. Why should all of you assemble yourselves and your shows in one city? What lies outside the borders of Accra that these musicians don’t like ? Then, they get angry when their songs only trend in Accra and are later tagged as “Accra artistes.” A lot of people may challenge this point of view, but somebody has to say it. Nobody is trying to abolish shows or concerts, but at this point, it’s becoming too much.