As an artist in Northern Uganda, now would be the time to pull out your Tecno and take some notes.
Lesson number 2: Do not jump haphazardly.
Now that I have had some time to reflect on Awilo’s concert in Gulu, it has occurred to me that mandem did not jump even one bit, even when his dancer was begged at some point not to climb onto the stage. Jumping it seems, does not make a good performance. I know a local artist who performed at one open Mic event, in the middle of his performance, he jumped so high that the sound system was turned off to wait for him to return. When he finally landed, he bent the stage.
Back to humility, there is so much that shocked me about the man. For starters, he came along with just the necessary crew members: the guitarists, dancers, backup singers, and drummer – he did not, like our local mandems, carry both side birds to the same show and treat people to a free wrestling.
Lesson number 1: shit happens, do not overreact, do not be like the president of that country.
From Awilo’s reaction to a faulty microphone while singing to it happening the second time without making a fuss out of it is commendable. In 2005, Okello, a local artist, tossed the microphone into the crowd when his music suddenly stopped playing. 20 years later, the microphone is yet to be found. Another Okello probably used it to kickstart his career. Not many artists take a bad sound lightly.
Lesson Number 4: the band – try it.
A few years ago, a one Gulu big artist stepped on stage to play with the band. Before the band was even ready, he was singing the second verse. When he finished, the band was ready to start. That day, Okello (number 2) realised that there was more to music than lowering one’s pants, doing dreads, throwing a sweat towel around one’s neck and WhatsApping on a Tecno phone. The band gives an artist control, and minimizes excitement – as such, it keeps the audience entertained. Instead of shouting Dj track 3, as an artist, wait for the band to set the pace.
Lesson Number 3: mean business, give the fans a treat
Awilo performed for an hour and twenty minutes – he came all the way from Congo. There is you, Otim, who stays behind the show venue, and can sleep until when called upon, who wants to perform for 15 mins because there is some old leg waiting for you somewhere or that you have to perform at an auction market in Mamdi Opei. In between your time, you greet every politician available. along with your mother -in-law and introduce your friends who mean nothing to the show and then sign off! Kneegro please.
Awilo mentioned that he was there to entertain the audience because he was paid to do so. At that point, it is business for him and nothing more. As an artist, when you walk off the stage, the audience should either clap for you or ask for more. If you want to talk, become a politician.