Yemi Adebowale
Lagos
Shakira, the Latin American singing sensation, Kelly Roland and Rihanna arrived Nigeria in the early hours of today to participate in the 2007 THISDAY Music Festival. Their arrival was preceded by neo-soul singer, John Legend, earlier on Friday, on a British Airways flight.
Shakira arrived Nigeria with two planes. The first plane brought her, while the second one - an Air Bus - brought her equipment. Earlier on Thursday, the British Reggae group, UB40 arrived Nigeria for the concert.
The artistes will be joined by P. Diddy, another American hip-hop star who shall be arriving in style with a private jet in the early hours of Sunday.
The second THISDAY festival, which is billed for opening by the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola shall also feature Nigerian artistes who have checked into a hotel on Lagos Island. They include Tuface, D-Banj, Mode Nine, Asa, Sasha and P-Square.
Fashola is expected to use the concert as a perfect opportunity to sell Lagos as the number one tourist destination in Africa.
According to concert organisers, the venue will open at 5 p.m., while the show proper will start at 6 p.m. Members of the public who have not bought their tickets will have the opportunity to buy their concert and parking tickets at select Guaranty Trust Bank branches and at THISDAY Media Stores at the Palms Shopping Mall, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The branches of the bank and THISDAY Media Stores will be open today and tomorrow for ticket sales. Ticket prices remain unchanged and are selling for N10,000 for Classic tickets; N25,000 for VIP tickets; and N50,000 for tickets in the State Box category.
The THISDAY Music Festival is scheduled to hold at the new 15,000 capacity THISDAY Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos, today and tomorrow.
The acts have been divided into two groups for the two-day show. Shakira, Legend, Tuface, Mode Nine, UB40 and P-Square are billed to perform on day one. While P. Diddy, Rihanna, D'Banj, Ne Yo Asa, Sasha and Kelly Rolland will perform on day two.
In order to organise a hitch free concert, the Nigerian Police Force has beefed up security around the concert venue to avert any crisis.
Furthermore, free bus service will be provided by the organisers from the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island; National Stadium, Surulere and Ikeja Airways Ground, Ikeja to facilitate the free flow of traffic around the area.
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A statement from the organisers said, "This free bus service is only available to valid ticket holders who must produce tickets and payment slips to gain entry. Secure parking spaces are being provided at the venue for up to 5000 vehicles."
The organisers have also prohibited metal or sharp objects, smoking and drinking of alcohol at the venue. Cameras will also not be permitted, except for accredited journalists.
The THISDAY Music Festival, which is in its second year, is dedicated to creating a world's class music festival, with the best infrastructure in the entertainment business. Last year, it played host to some of the world biggest music icons, including American super stars, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Missy Elliot, Ciara and Snoop Dog.
Source:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200707140155.html
so did anyone see this today...????
