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22 October, 2007
“I have been all over around the world, but I have never had an experience like in Ethiopia,” R & B superstar Beyoncé Knowles said amidst her thrilling performance that rocked her fans in the concert hall that hosted her two-hour extravaganza until midnight.
The diva turned out more than a thriller on Saturday at the Millennium Concert Hall, leaving Ethiopian fans in standing ovation for her repeated words of love as she commanded the magnificent a state-of-the-art stage which also heightened the spirit of the scene.
Tickets for the show sold out early and the concert was attended by a large audience of about 20,000 people which included number of invited guests. Arguably, it was the largest attendance that the concert hall has hosted since its inauguration on the eve of the Ethiopian millennium.
Beyoncé, who time and again was saying “I love Ethiopia” in between her tunes, sent the crowd in a frenzy as she also kept bowing towards as is customary in Ethiopian tradition when extending greetings.
She performed many of hit songs including “To the left”, “Crazy in love” all well known by her fans in Ethiopia.
Following a warm welcome from millennium organizing officials, the famous African American R&B singer started traveling around Addis Ababa, visiting various sites including the palace, Addis Ababa museum, government residences and national attractions, ending at a banquet organized to welcome her.
Prior to her captivating performance at the concert, the Multi-Grammy award winning artist also planted tree seedlings, thereby taking part in the Ethiopian millennium tree planting campaign.
Many people from different countries came here both to attend her concert and experience the Ethiopian Millennium.
The superstar, who beyond doubt has enthralling command of a stage, saved her best for last.
“You have seen my songs and performance for the last two hours, now this is my gift to Ethiopia.”
What followed surely will remain as the best concluding act by a performer, in the minds of those who attended the concert – especially Ethiopians.
The 26 year-old and her dancing group performed Ethiopia’s traditional dance – the Eskista to Teddy Afro’s Millennium hit “Abebayehosh” a revised version of a traditional tune sang by young girls welcoming a new year.
And did they dance as if they had always known how to do it. The hall literally went out of control at that point.
By Hayal Alemayehu - Ethiopian Reporter