Nigerian-American Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, delivered a thrilling performance on August 5 that lit up the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland, United States, as part of his 5IVE Alive Tour. The iconic outdoor venue, which holds just over 19,000 attendees, served as the stage for a night that fans have described as both historic and unforgettable.
Making his debut at the renowned U.S. location, Davido commanded the stage for nearly two hours, performing a mix of his classic anthems like Fall, If, and Risky, alongside newer material that resonated deeply with the energetic crowd. The atmosphere, charged with excitement, spilled onto social media where fans shared videos, reactions, and praise throughout the night.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) captured the energy best: “The entire crowd sang Davido’s verse on With You word for word. Merriweather was on fire tonight. #5IVEAliveTour.” Social platforms buzzed with admiration, highlighting the performance as a moment of pride for Afrobeats and its expanding global presence.
While some social media users claimed that Davido was the first African artist to sell out the Merriweather Post Pavilion, that milestone has not been officially confirmed. Nonetheless, the event marked a significant achievement in his career and reaffirmed his influence as a global ambassador for African music. Davido, who has surpassed 9 billion streams worldwide, continues to draw massive audiences wherever he performs.
Not all reactions were positive, however. A few online critics questioned whether the turnout truly matched the hype, with one post mocking his streaming numbers in contrast to the event’s attendance. Others took jabs at perceived media bias, asking sarcastically how much Davido paid for the glowing coverage.
Still, the love from his core fan base outweighed the skepticism. Facebook was filled with emotional tributes, with one fan writing, “You’re the man after the people’s heart. We love you endlessly.” Another simply called him “The one and only 001,” echoing the title often used to describe his leading status in the Nigerian music scene.
Some fans are already pushing for bigger venues, suggesting stadium concerts as the next step. “Let him start planning for stadiums. Haters won’t know peace,” one user joked online, reflecting growing anticipation for what’s next.
The Merriweather performance adds to Davido’s long list of international achievements and further demonstrates the rising power of Afrobeats on the world stage. As the 5IVE Alive Tour continues across the U.S., it’s clear that Davido isn’t just performing — he’s making history and expanding the global footprint of African sound.