See Me Live: Simi gives fans a night of fun

The night started with appearances from Funbi, Maka, Chike, and Jeff Akoh. Akoh was especially brilliant performing ‘Shokolokobangoshe’ from his debut album, Lokoja.

After introductions from on air personality Osi Suave, Simi started her set with a medley of ‘Soldier’ and ‘Tiff’, and thereafter sang ‘Angelina’ and ‘Original Baby’. She was accompanied by two dancers and her band, the Banjos.

Simi sings and performs live like a naturally shy person, a trait with which she self-identifies. But the energy of her 9-man band complemented Simi’s reserve.

In addition to having improved her stage craft, Simi adapted her songs well for the event. Rather than singing vanilla versions, she performed apt mixes on the night, ending ‘Original Baby’ with a short chorus from Fela’s ‘Lady’, adding to ‘Owambe’ an elaborate opening that involved syncopations, and dancing to a medley of songs including Adewale Ayuba’s ‘Ijo Fuji’. The most adventurous of her mashups was a version of ‘Despacito’ performed with made-up lyrics that served as prelude to ‘Hip hop Hurray’.

“I love you Simi,” a member of the audience screamed at her between sets. “I love you more,” she said, then paused and added, with a knowing smile, “Seriously, I do. You’re paying my bills.”

Simi’s personality isn’t ready-made for live showbiz. She often performs with a repressed reluctance that suggests she’ll rather be in her room writing and producing songs than on stage dancing. But, dressed in a sequined jacket, distressed dungarees, and platform sneakers, she cracked self-deprecating jokes and put in effort for the benefit of her fans.

Frequent collaborator Falz joined Simi on stage for a performance of ‘Love Something’ and ‘Foreign’ from their joint EP Chemistry. Falz, a showman in ways Simi isn’t, showed a flair for connecting with fans onstage whereas Simi seemed content having fun, hoping the crowd joins in.

Thankfully, she has a full roster of songs that kept the crowd entertained and singing along. The response to ‘Smile’, perhaps her best love song, was such that she could be out of the room, and the audience would sing along, swooning in unison. This is what happens when an artist pays attention to words: songs mean something to the fans.

Adekunle Gold joined Simi in performing ‘No Forget’ and ‘Take me Back’, exuding the charm of a 1990s R&B star. He could stand before the crowd with just the microphone in his hands—and he did—and the audience goes completely ecstatic. The Simi-Adekunle Gold duets were as smooth as one might have imagined listening to their recorded voices. Adekunle looked solemn, as he often does, flashing his now famous toothy smile as he moved on stage. Simi remained in character: friendly, fun, funny and even frivolous. When performing with Falz, she told the crowd not to listen to his lies, with Adekunle Gold, she dropped on one knee in mock proposal.

Simi’s carefree composure and oft-flippant pursuit of fun is a defining part of her appeal. She may be soundly criticised for her fashion choices, but rarely is there open disdain for her person. On stage, late Sunday night, she lost an earring while performing—she fixed it in stride—and argued playfully with her keyboardist about the pitch of a key, yet the crowd cheered her: “Go Simi, go Simi” as she danced to ‘Owambe’.

By the time the show ended with ‘Joromi’, there was laughter and joy all around. In her active desire to have fun, Simi had led the crowd at her concert to its own pleasure.