Asa’s Musical Brilliance Shone at The Royal Albert Hall

May 4, 2022

Asa’s Musical Brilliance Shone Last Night at The Royal Albert Hall

The lobby of the Royal Albert Hall was filled with enlightened faces, all smiling, quietly anticipating an evening of good music. This was hardly surprising – Asa has long held the position of the thinking ear’s muse. A break away from the modern culture of rapidly-consumed beats, lyrics and ‘tungba’, her music focuses on songs that tell deep stories, with melodies that resonate long after the sounds have died.

The musical deliciousness started with the opening act; a young South African called Teeah gave us two of her singles. ‘Save me’, her first offering, was a mellow soul number, while the upbeat ‘Zengeh’ featuring Sarkohdie taught the audience a new dance.

Asa opened her two-hour set with a journey that started with love – a Yoruba rendition of the Biblical definition fused with pleas to a lover, meandered through ‘Murder in the USA’ – a tale about love and the extremes the human mind will go to for this emotion and ended up in familiar territory; the songs we’ve come to know and adore.

Asa knows her people, and her people know her. She led with old favourites such as ‘Fire on the Mountain’ and ‘Bibanke’, and the audience rewarded her by singing every word and noting every inflection. She stayed true to the known and loved versions, avoiding the trap many singers fall into when they sing alternative versions of their hits on stage – a habit that alienates listeners who came to hear their faves.

With the audience fully warmed up, she delved into four songs from her latest album V, her fifth studio effort. Despite being only a few months old, it was astonishing to see the most fervent fans singing along to the selected songs.

My favourite number was her rendition of ‘Eye Adaba’. It was ethereal and peaceful, giving the flutters of a dove in the morning time. It is the hallmark of an excellent singer to perform to a room filled with over a thousand people and still feel as though she were singing only to you.

Asa is a class act. Her composition, arrangement, and stage presence all bear the signs of a performer who constantly hones her craft – improving, improving, and growing. The fact that most of her band has been with her for over a decade is also a testament to her professionalism and work ethic, the hallmarks of an artist that is here to stay.

Making this happen, and bringing together all of the factors for a great night out, is no mean feat. Cokobar is a longstanding household name for bringing only top-tier performers and brands to the UK, having been responsible for promoting talent such as Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid to soldout shows in some of the most iconic venues in the country. It is no wonder that Asa felt at home with promoters who bring quality, visibility and sound logistics to all their events.

This was a night of bliss for all, cementing the fact that Asa will be warmly welcomed to London any time she chooses!