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Electricity already filled the air. The blue and
white mini-buses moving in herds through Addis
Abeba's streets announced the coming event with
concert fliers plastered to their sides and his
music blaring from their open windows.
The energy reverberating through the city was
similar to that on the Millennium eve. But this
spirit was not as inclusive, less universal. The
taxis seemed divided between patrons going about
normal routines and those giddy with anticipation.
Unlike the Millennium, the question was not 'where
you are going' but 'if you are going'. The answer in
most cases was obvious, judging by the even trendier
than normal garments donned by the youth and
20-somethings of the capital.
The pre-concert unity was felt amidst the shouts of
encouragement from neighbourhood friends who knew I
was going to see Tewedros Kassahun (Tedy Afro) after
a three year hiatus from solo performances in Addis
Abeba. But the cohesive atmosphere was not truly
felt until in the line that snaked around the corner
outside the entrance road at around 9:00pm - the
time many fans chose to make a fashionably late
entrance in spite of the ubiquitous, bilingual,
purple posters in the city that had advertised a
start time of 7:00pm.
Inching forward in a tight queue that felt bonded by
common purpose, the majestically lighted trees on
Ghion's premise became visible. But contrary to the
mood prevailing in the many weddings and other
formal ceremonies held on the premises, the
excitement overtook the crowd, and the voices of
around 8,000 people in attendance grew to a noisy
roar.
It was not quite as chaotic as the scene outside, as
the ample security and traffic police staff
struggled to bring order the jam of cars and
exuberant concert-goers scrambling to get in. Once
in, the appeal to the eye was overwhelming.
The fashion show, following the Teddy's brief
opening set, was of little distraction for the
people who buzzed around the grounds in
anticipation. Though some of the garments produced
by Etige Design were quite attractive, it was
difficult to truly be entrapped by the showcase when
anticipating what was to come.
The crowd was drawn slightly closer to the stage as
DJ Phatsu's beats inspired some dancing in the
scattered audience around 9:30pm. But still, the
socialising prevailed, enjoying the limited but
appetising catering provided by Ghion, including
beer at 20 Br a pop. A couple of brief announcements
by the DJ sent excitement as they signalled possible
commencement of Teddy's performance.
It was not until the band, Abugeda, fresh from
Minnesota, hit the stage that the crowd became
ecstatic. The murmurs of cold winds gushing through
the outdoor venue disappeared as the mass of people
spontaneously packed tightly towards the front.
Teddy burst on to the stage in a stylish pin-stripe
suit.
The temperature seemed to immediately rise 10
degrees, as some of the women threw off the jackets
lent to them by their chivalrous companions in the
long, cold wait and begin shaking in unison with the
crowd. Teddy opened cool and composed, letting the
metaphorical lyrics he is loved for do the talking
as he swayed gently behind the microphone.
The mood was further enlivened when between songs
the icon yelled "Addis Abeba, ay sema" (I do not
hear you). Ample screaming responded, and arms were
flung into the air in appreciation of the stage
antics. Returning to the music, the mood did not die
down until next the break.
Patrons dispersed to all areas of the garden, some
sitting on the fountain, others visiting one of the
three bar areas and still more not willing to give
an inch of their hard earned space near the front.
Although the music had ceased, voices were still
heightened to immeasurable volumes, as ears
continued to ring with rhythms coming from the ample
sound system.
It was but a short pause though.
Soon Kebebewe Geda, popular stand-up comedian, ran
to the stage and laughter replaced the screaming.
Famous for various satire film releases, including
his "Chamsu" shop owner character, Kebebewe made the
45-minute pause dash by in what seemed to be a few
moments.
Back to the stage in the third outfit of the night,
a colourful loose-fitting West African-styled top,
creating a more jubilant mood than the proudly
adorned suit, Teddy showed he still had the energy
left to entertain. Joined by reggae star Haile
Roots, the mellow beats did not loose the
disposition as a fairly unified crowd swayed into
the wee hours of the night.
Even the VIP section outside Unity House was moved
by some of the hits including, Yasteseryal, the
title of his second album in 2005. Invocations of
former Ethiopian rulers, including Haile Selaisie
and Megistu Haile Mariam drew some of the loudest
responses.
It did not seem to matter to most of the fans, some
quite far away from the stage, that the lighting was
fairly bland and lacked spotlighting on Teddy. The
huge projection screen gave a good view, and most of
the fans seemed overjoyed at the opportunity to see
him live.
At the end of the of the three-hour performance,
around 2:00am, when Teddy announced that the next
song would be the last, people began to wail for
more, feeling like the show should go on for an
eternity. Dispersing took a while as some appeared
in shock of what they had witnessed.
The scene outside, with traffic jammed by blue Ladas
waiting for fares, quickly brought the crowd back to
the realities of life in Addis Abeba. Some had to
walk many kilometres as the supply of contract
taxis, even supplemented with a few minibuses, was
nowhere near the demand. But this did not matter.
Almost all were pleased beyond comprehension with
what some called 'the show of a lifetime'.|
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