Ásake’s much-anticipated homecoming concert in Lagos is facing mounting controversy as an online revolt erupts over the ₦300,000 ticket fee.
Fans are widely criticizing the staggering price, suggesting it could lead to significant backlash for FlyTime Fest 2025 well ahead of the show date.
The planned triumphant return for the global Afrobeats sensation is now spiraling into a social media crisis, with many loyal supporters claiming that event organisers are unfairly “pricing out the true fans.”
Due to the overwhelming negative reaction, fan pages are warning that the high-end pricing strategy is threatening to overshadow the excitement for Ásake’s major headline slot.
FlyTime Fest, known for pushing premium concert experiences, has in recent years gradually increased prices—yet this jump appears to have crossed a psychological line.
For many fans who followed Ásake from his breakout street-pop era, a ₦300,000 ticket feels like a betrayal of the singer’s original identity as “the man of the people.”
On X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, aggrieved fans have posted videos and memes comparing the ticket price to rent, school fees, and travel costs.
Some argue that even international artistes with global Grammy status rarely command such rates in Nigeria, fuelling suspicion that organisers are prioritising profit over loyalty and accessibility.
Industry watchers warn that beyond social media noise, there may be real-world implications for FlyTime.
A disengaged core fan base could affect turnout, reduce merchandise sales, and create a domino effect for other performances scheduled for the festival lineup.
The risk, they say, is not just an empty arena—but long-term damage to trust.
Others, however, argue that the pricing reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s entertainment economy, where security, venue logistics, inflation, and global-standard production costs have drastically increased.
According to this school of thought, concerts are simply becoming luxury experiences rather than mass events.
Still, many believe FlyTime underestimated the emotional attachment Nigerians have to Ásake.
His rise from the streets of Lagos to global stages created a bond that fans expect to be honoured with affordability—especially at a homecoming concert meant to celebrate his journey.
As the backlash intensifies, it remains unclear whether organizers will reconsider the pricing or whether fans will eventually give in.
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