Sound, Memory and Motion at Glenfiddich Experimental Night

Glenfiddich Experimental Night Concert returned to Lagos on Tuesday, December 30, delivering an evening shaped by memory, movement, and musical evolution. With performances from Peruzzi, 9ice, Terry G, and FOLA, the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky once again transformed the city into a space where Nigerian music could be experienced across generations, without boundaries or hierarchy. 

Rooted in the belief that culture is fluid rather than fixed, Glenfiddich Experimental Night has grown into an annual platform that allows different eras of sound to exist side by side. The 2025 edition, held in partnership with international music label Gamma Records, leaned into this philosophy with quiet confidence, creating a night that felt intentional rather than nostalgic, forward-looking without losing its sense of history.

The evening opened with a DJ relay that set the tone early. Casper Sandra, Cocaina, Gigi Jasmine, Maze x Mxtreme, Crowd Kontroller, Tag Team, and Tunes moved seamlessly across decades and genres, warming the room and building momentum before the live sets began. By the time the final DJ signed off, the crowd was already fully engaged.

Peruzzi opened the live performances with a calm, assured set that leaned into melody and connection. Songs like Somebody Baby and Majesty were met with easy sing-alongs, grounding the night firmly in the present. The energy shifted with 9ice, whose performance slowed the tempo and brought storytelling to the forefront. When Gongo Aso and Street Credibility rang out, the response was immediate and collective — a moment driven by recognition rather than hype.

Terry G followed, disrupting the night’s rhythm entirely. With the raw, unpredictable energy that once defined an era of Nigerian pop, the Free Madness crooner delivered a loud, restless set filled with genre-bending production and enduring anthems. The reaction in the room made it clear that his influence still resonates.

Closing the night was FOLA, whose performance pushed the sound forward. Leaning into experimentation, he stretched the energy outward, offering a glimpse into what lies ahead. As the final notes faded, the crowd lingered, reluctant to let the night end — a fitting close to an evening built around evolution.

Beyond the music, the event drew a wide cross-section of Nigeria’s creative community. Attendees from music, film, fashion, and media filled the space, including Larry Gaaga, Vice President and General Manager of Gamma in Africa, alongside Osi Suave, Charles Okpaleke, Ike Onyema, Seyi Classic, Fola David, Shaun Okojie, Mide Iwasokun, Chimezie Imo, Efe Tommy, and others. Their presence reinforced Glenfiddich Experimental Night’s role as a meeting point for cultural influence and creative exchange.

Over the years, Glenfiddich Experimental Night has settled into its place as a cultural marker in Lagos. Each edition serves as a reminder that the future of culture is shaped by those willing to honour its roots while remaining open to reinvention — a balance the brand continues to explore with intention and clarity.