Lagos Travel Guide: A Music Lover’s Map to Entertainment

Everything about the Lagos revolves around arts, culture and beautiful rhythm; making it one of the best places for music lovers to visit.

If you are a fan of good music, then Lagos could be just the city for you.  The city caters for every musical genre: jazz, afrobeat, dancehall and hip-hop, and gives you countless opportunities to enjoy a wide range of music at concerts, festivals, and venues of all sizes. You do not really have to go far to hear live music in Lagos, ask the locals for a spot around your location. But, in case you need a few more options, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking portal offers some other live music spots to hit.

Jazz hole

A diverse venue that attracts both local and international artists, the Jazz Hole is a small cafe in the Ikoyi suburb of Lagos that features a collection of vintage books, music record, art and jazz music, giving it an air of art meets intellectualism. During the day, the venue is essentially a meeting place for a more varied artistic scene including musicians, poets, writers and artists. Perfectly positioned in the historic center of Lagos Island’s nightlife, it becomes more of a live music venue in the evenings, with the emphasis being on the soul and Jazz.

The Afrika Shrine

The African Shrine has been a Lagos favourite for many years and many expected it to fade away after it got burnt down, however the new replacement, run by Femi and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti,  remains a cool spot for groups and friends to hang, and is still going from strength to strength. The venue hosts live music and also provides culinary services as well as a serving of knowledge in African politics. There are free shows on Thursday, or on the last Saturdays of the month – Afrobeats Sessions with Seun Kuti, and you are certain to have a good time listening to good music and mingling.

Freedom Park

For the ‘free spirit’ within you, why not pop along to Freedom Park? If you fancy partying with the locals, then this venue could be the perfect place for you to let your hair down and dance the night away. It is one of the hottest nightspots in Lagos for people who love the unconventional, artsy scene. Open mic night sessions and live music are hosted on the regular – everything from local bands to international music, and throughout the year, the venue hosts a variety of big-name acts who come through town to play for music fans from around the world.

Muson Center

A prestigious performance hall in Lagos, MUSON Centre, is a fountain of music, arts and culture. Aside from housing a music school, the venue also host special music events and concerts all through the year. On occasion, studios even use it for movie premiers and theatre performance. The venue is frequently praised for its superior acoustics and the orchestra’s ability. The concert season usually starts in June and ends in December.

The Eko Convention centre

An architectural beauty, the Eko Convention centre is one of the most enduring centers for music events in Lagos. Throughout the year, internationally famous acts, like Chris brown and Trey Songz, as well as popular local acts take to the stage in various concerts and shows. People searching for a bit of fun should look forward to attending events at this venue.

Terra Kulture

One of the hottest spots for arty people in Lagos, Terra Kulture has an excellent reputation for being a friendly and welcoming venue. As it only features live music on Fridays to mark #TGIF, it’s a self-effacing and rich cultural space, where you can chat, relax, read and enjoy good music. Essentially, it is a meeting place for a more varied creative scene including musicians, poets, writers and artists

Lobby Bar, Lagos Sheraton Hotel

Jazz Unplugged at Sheraton Social Hour at the Lobby Bar, stages an eclectic mix of classical music and jazz, and is perfect for guests who prefer upscale environs. With the soothing rhythm jazz music offers, visitors enjoy at least two good hours of blues every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. An evening here offers excellent classics and mesmerizing glamour.