Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, is hosting Soundcity OnTour from August 18 to 20, as BIGI and Fearless Energy Drink bring a three-day programme of live music, talent discovery and campus entertainment to students.
The Zaria stop marks the 15th destination on the 20-campus tour, which is travelling to universities across Nigeria between June and October in search of emerging musical talent.
Also read: From UNIPORT to NDU: BIGI, Fearless take Soundcity On Tour across 20 campuses
Beyond the concerts, the activation is designed to give student artistes an opportunity to perform before a wider audience and compete for a place in the next stage of the BIGI Music talent discovery programme.
The first day will feature campus activities and build-up events, ahead of live BIGI Music auditions on the second day.
Five student artistes will emerge from the auditions to perform during the concert, with one winner receiving a ₦1 million cash prize.
The competition also offers a potential route beyond the university stage. Winners from participating campuses will proceed to regional battles, where judging and social engagement will determine the acts that advance to the national stage.
Two eventual national winners will receive studio production, A&R mentorship led by Bankulli, Soundcity Radio rotation and professionally produced music videos.
For ABU students, the final day will shift the focus from talent discovery to a full-scale concert featuring Nigerian artistes including Falz, Magnito and Firstklaz, alongside Hypeman Best and DJ Dewik.
The event gives students an opportunity to experience established performers while also placing emerging campus artistes at the centre of the programme.
For Rite Foods Limited, the company behind BIGI and Fearless Energy Drink, the tour connects its brands with a youthful audience through music, entertainment and creative expression.
The company is also positioning BIGI Music as a platform through which emerging artistes can gain exposure and potentially access professional support beyond their university communities.
Soundcity OnTour will continue to other universities after the Zaria activation before concluding its 20-campus journey in Abuja in October.
At ABU, the appeal of the event therefore extends beyond the headline performances.
Also read: From UNIPORT to NDU: BIGI, Fearless take Soundcity On Tour across 20 campuses
For some students, the more significant opportunity may be the chance to step onto the stage for the first time, compete against fellow campus artistes and begin a journey towards national recognition.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
