Holding an audience spellbound at an event as big as Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards is not a minute task. But the story was different penultimate Saturday night. Thousands of guests who thronged the convention hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the prestigious awards night, had every reason to sit back while the event lasted. Spiced with musical interlude, the well-attended event was hosted by actress Osas Ighodaro and firebrand comedian, Bovi Ugboma, who gave a good account of themselves.

Leading the pack of showstoppers on the night was dancehall artiste, Patoranking, whose song, “Alubarika” which he collaborated with Timaya, got everyone in the hall dancing. But it was fast rising singer, Debbie Rise, who stole the show. Mesmerizing and dazzling with her vocal strength and previously unknown dexterity on guitar, Debie was no less different in class of invited artistes as she added colour to the already electrifying atmosphere with her beautiful performance. The rousing applause from the guests was nothing short of excitement and satisfaction with her performance.

The star revelation of the TV reality show, Nigerian Idol who has released series of hit singles in recent times looked ravishing in her shot red-gown. She stunned everyone with her dexterity displayed at the guitar.

Just as Debie’s, Finnest’s performance was also awesome. The rising singer who started out as a hip-hop star thrilled the quality audience with his highlife tunes. But the showstoppers on the night were the Shuga band, a 14-piece musical group led by Akinloye Tofowomo, who was committed to the highest standard of excellence and professionalism.

The group opened with some old school songs and, from then on, it was as if they had the audience screaming and egging them on. In fact, the audience seemed to have been spellbound by the group’s up-tempo secular flair and performing of dynamic sounds creating rich harmonies. The group offered swing-beat as RnB, dance tunes, oldies, country, traditional and soulful arrangement, which the appreciative audience soaked up.

Others who performed at the event were Kiss Daniels who put up a good performance with his hit song ‘Woju’ and the trio of belly dancers led by Korra Anita Obidi. It was an evening filled with music, glamour and style.