Part of the audience that turned up
Singer Pius Mayanja alias Pallaso is currently a happy man, after he staged a successful “Love Fest” concert at Lugogo Cricket Oval, even when all odds were stacked against him.
Just two weeks to the concert, in another typical Mayanja error of judgement, Pallaso had slapped and roughed up Sitya Danger singer, Alien Skin, in a video that went viral and enraged fans and foes alike.
Only eight months old in the music industry, Alien Skin did not fight back physically; he launched a musical fight instead, using the public sympathy card to organise a concert on the same day as Pallaso’s, in just four days. The ground for a musical duel was set.
And oh, the hype and vibe that Sitya Danger concert attracted online and in the streets of Kampala! No wonder then that come June 9, Freedom City was packed to the rafters; even the massive parking lot and Entebbe roadside were overflowing with paid-up revellers out to teach Pallaso – and by extension, his brothers – a lesson in humility.
Still, “Love Fest”, Pallaso’s second-ever concert, held its own. Contrary to fears that Lugogo Cricket Oval would remain empty as everyone rushed to Freedom City, Pallaso received a full house too, thanks in part to the fact that the two artistes’ music and fans are quite different.
Also, the show gained massive numbers on grounds that at one point, promoter Balaam Barugahara reportedly permitted revelers to enter free of charge and others at heavily discounted ticket prices, to avoid embarrassing photos of empty seats that the other camp was looking forward to.
A visibly grateful Pallaso came on stage at around 10 pm amid fireworks display and performed to his fans’ full expectations, alongside a live band.
One could tell he had really done his rehearsals, to give his fans the best. Kid Dee, Zex Bilangilangi, Eddy Kenzo, Catherine Kusasira, and Martha Mukisa, among others, shared a stage with him.
Well. Who won the duel?
Give it to Pallaso for holding his own and giving one hell of a performance, regardless, but Alien Skin was something else; in just four days with hardly any rehearsals or sponsors – leave alone any wildly popular songs – the boy from the ghetto gave Pius Mayanja a thorough beating without throwing a single punch. Alien Skin will hopefully be the last person Pallaso ever bullies.
atiluknathan@gmail.com
Source: The Observer
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