Music is one of the most powerful forms of art. Beyond sound, it is expression, storytelling, and live performance. On stage, music comes alive through vocals, lighting, choreography, and the electric connection between artistes and audiences.
Concerts are therefore not just events; they are artistic experiences that define culture, mood, and memory.
Yet, every December, a frustrating trend emerges: major concerts starting late has become almost expected, and fans are increasingly vocal about their disappointment.
What should be an artistic and joyful experience often turns into waiting, fatigue, and logistical headaches, despite the excitement surrounding headline acts.
December 2025 in Ghana was once again charged with artistic energy. The calendar was packed with notable concerts that lit up the festive atmosphere, including the GT Bank Music Concert on 19th December, AratheJay’s NIMO LIVE on 20th December, Kofi Kinaata’s Made in Taadi on 21st December, Black Star Experience Concert Taste of Culture on 26th December and many more.
These events shaped the vibrant December atmosphere, yet many of these rival performances also ran late into midnight, creating a common trend of delayed schedules across the city’s festive lineup.
Amid this impressive lineup, certain headline concerts stood out not only for their popularity but also for how they failed to meet audience expectations. While they drew massive crowds and showcased star power, Revival, Zaama Disco, Bhim Concert, Rapperholic, and Promise Land became talking points for their notably late starts and prolonged delays.
For many attendees, anticipation gradually turned into frustration, as they waited deep into the night before performances truly began. The contrast between high expectations and the actual experience has become increasingly visible over the years, raising questions about professionalism and respect for audience time.
The issue came sharply into focus on 18th December 2025 at the Revival Concert headlined by Kweku Smoke, held at GHUD Park in Accra. Although the event was billed to begin in the evening, patrons waited for hours before the headline act finally appeared in the late hours of midnight.
By the time Kweku Smoke took the stage, many fans were visibly tired, the prolonged wait has dulled their initial excitement.
The situation was even more glaring on 21st December 2025 at Zaama Disco, headlined by Black Sherif and held at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium. As of 8:30 p.m., the stage was still being set up, raising early concerns among patrons who had arrived on time, delaying performances by hours.
At Bhim Concert Bhim Fest, hosted by dancehall heavyweight Stonebwoy on 22nd December 2025 at the Accra Sports Stadium, the pattern repeated itself. Despite its reputation as a flagship December event, performances stretched deep into the early hours of the morning.
While the show eventually delivered electrifying moments, many patrons began leaving early due to transportation challenges, safety concerns, and next-day obligations.
Rapperholic, the annual concert hosted by rap icon Sarkodie, held on 25th December 2025 at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, followed a similar pattern.
Although widely regarded as one of Ghana’s biggest music events, the concert ran deep into the night, forcing fans to weigh enjoyment against exhaustion and post-event challenges.
The problem reached a critical point at Promise Land, headlined by King Promise on 30th December 2025 at GHUD Park, where the main program reportedly began around 2:00 a.m. with the headline artist appearing as at that time.
For an event that attracted thousands and carried premium expectations, such a late start pushed peak excitement into the early morning hours, leaving many attendees physically drained and logistically stranded.
Beyond inconvenience, late concert closures have wider consequences. When events end at 3 or 4 a.m., traffic congestion becomes inevitable, with thousands attempting to leave venues simultaneously.
Public transportation becomes scarce, fares rise sharply, and safety risks, particularly for women and young people navigating dark streets, are heightened.
While some argue that lateness is part of Ghana’s nightlife culture, that justification is increasingly unconvincing.
Across the world, major concerts begin and end on schedule without sacrificing excitement. Timeliness is not un-African; it is professional.
Artistes, promoters, and event organizers must therefore take collective responsibility. Better planning, earlier stage setup, stricter performance schedules, and transparent communication with audiences would significantly improve the December concert experience.
Ghana’s music is world-class, and its December concerts attract global attention. But if lateness continues to be normalized, anticipation will keep turning into exhaustion. Respect for the audience’s time must become as important as the performance itself.
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