Time, Ticket Flop at Classic Valentine Jam, Blackky Denied Live Band Performance

The Classic Valentine Jam featuring Brandy Norwood and UB40 on Sunday would have been a fine opportunity to launder Nigeria’s image but it turned out to be a disappointment for those who arrived very early for the show.

The lovers’ gig which was scheduled for Eko Hotel and Suites was expected to take off at 6 PM with a red carpet, followed by the show at 7PM. But by 7:30PM, most of those who have paid for the show were not allowed to go into the venue leading to complains as many continue to hang outside the venue. They only had access to the venue at about 7:35PM.

Our correspondent reported that despite the huge sum of money committed to the project, the organisers had no tight grip on sales of tickets as some individuals played a fast one on them, selling tickets unofficially at the venue and were even ready to give out the regular ticket of N10,000 for N7,000, when our correspondent approached them.

Besides, we gathered that the organizers started arranging the hall very late leading to the delay.

As at 8PM when our correspondent left the venue red carpet was yet to commence. Some who spoke to our correspondent thanked the management of Classic FM for bringing Brandy and UB40 to Nigeria. They said the show is expected to be a good one but that the organisers need to work on time which they believe is very precious.

We gathered that some of the local artistes like Edward Inyang better known as Blackky will not perform with live band due to financial disagreement. Impeccable sources told our correspondent that Blackky’s music would be played by a Disc Jockey leaving the artiste to mime his music. Blaccky’s boys were still making frantic effort to download his music on the set by 7PM.

Paul Play Dairo and 9nice are also expected to perform at the show.

By Emmanuel Thomas