Detty December: When festive concerts become luxury events

The yuletide season in Lagos has always been one that every Nigerian resident in the country and diaspora look out for due to the shared excitement and familiar rush of watching their favorite artists perform live.

However this December is different, the cost of entry has become a significant part of the conversation in a controversial manner.

Until recently, regular tickets, which were relatively affordable while VIP and table reservations have traditionally been expensive.

The sudden rise in general admission fees have left many fans questioning who live music is now meant for.

 Before now, regular tickets were sold between N20,000 and N30,000 but now the regular tickets skyrocketed to an all-time high – ranging from N120,000 to as high as N300,000. Reactions on social media and in casual conversations have largely been forged on frustration, shock, and resistance.

As a matter of fact, many fans now pick just one event to attend stating that they can’t meet up with the financial requirements to attend more concerts while others have decided to stay away entirely.

An X user said, “I will attend Olamide’s show, I know he will bring Fireboy, Wizkid and Asake to perform.”

Another user said, “Asake 300k? 300k to stand, lol. All these artists are thinking we dey share money with bandit. Where person wan see 300k.”

“It’s cheaper abroad and it’s costlier in the country that made you and gave you platform” another X user opined.

The shift did not happen overnight. Over the past few years, Nigeria’s live music scene has expanded rapidly, with bigger stages, heavier production and increasing international attention. December, in particular, has become a peak period, as returning Nigerians abroad and foreign visitors boost demand for entertainment.

Industry insiders point to rising production costs as a major factor behind the surge in ticket prices. Sound equipment, lighting rigs, stage design and technical personnel are increasingly sourced at dollar rates, while security, venue rentals and logistics continue to climb.

For promoters, breaking even now requires a different pricing structure than in previous years.

A popular stage manager, Andrawine stated that the cost of setting up events has increased drastically which in turn reflects the prices of ticket sales.

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“Logistics is another huge factor. Moving equipment across cities or countries, freight costs, customs, power supply, generators, fuel, accommodation, rehearsals, and extended setup times all add up quickly. In places like Nigeria, where infrastructure can be unpredictable, production teams often have to create solutions from scratch, which further increases costs,” he said.

Continuing, he said, “Security, insurance, venue fees, permits, and crowd control have also become more expensive, especially as concerts grow in scale and attendance. Safety is no longer optional, it’s a priority, and rightly so. When you combine all these factors, promoters are left with limited options. To break even or make a profit while still delivering a high-quality experience, ticket prices inevitably go up.

“So yes, rising ticket prices aren’t just about the artist’s popularity; they reflect the real cost of delivering a world-class production safely, professionally, and at scale.”

While these points by Andrawine may sound reasonable, fans argue that the jump in regular ticket prices are not. Many believe that the Detty December experience is slowly becoming a luxury only a few can afford rather than mass entertainment.

“How much be minimum wage? Civil servant no fit branch this kind place but politician’s kids can buy thousands of tickets,” said a self confessed concert attendee via X.

Another X user, Maxpower, weighed in on the conversation saying,”Okay so let me understand something, after I have streamed all their songs and have made them serious money online I will still pay 300k to stand wey leg go dey pain me de look you dey perform the same song. All the money una don dey make una no fit use am subsidize show?”

In the same vein, Collins wrote, “Can someone actually explain to me how we went from 5k tickets to 300k.”

The situation seems to have also affected how audiences discuss attending concerts. Smaller shows and club performances appear to be gaining renewed interest, as fans look for more affordable alternatives.

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For some artists, they didn’t come up with the prices of tickets as investigations revealed that the event organizers are responsible for the pricing. Although the artists also charge the organizers some exorbitant prices which runs into multi million Naira which in turn reflects on the tickets.

Live music has long been a shared experience, cutting across age, income and social status. As prices climb, there is concern that concerts – especially during the famed Detty December – may become exclusive spaces, accessible mainly to a narrow segment of society.

Industry observers believe that the December rush itself plays a key role in the increase of ticket prices citing multiple high-profile concerts packed into a short period, demand often outstrips supply, giving organizers room to raise prices.

However, some promoters believe the market will eventually correct itself if audiences begin to resist high prices consistently, pricing strategies may adjust. Others argue that the industry is simply responding to the reality of the country’s economy.

The excitement of the season remains but the urge to attend concerts has drastically reduced due to the ridiculous amount required to access concert venues.

While concerts remain a major part of Nigeria’s cultural calendar, this year’s ticket prices have introduced a new layer to the experience, one that forces both organizers and audiences to rethink the value of concerts.

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As the season gradually exits, it is now more obvious that Detty December concerts are no longer just about the music and festivities, they have become a reflection of broader economic pressures and shifting cultural priorities, raising the question of whether shows can still remain accessible while meeting the demands of a growing industry.