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By Damiete Braide
Singer and songwriter, Airo Uche, has described as a “whole new experience” his event, Grillz by the Riverside, which held in Abriba, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State last Saturday.
Designed to move beyond the regular, the gathering fused music, lifestyle conversations and community bonding, using a relaxed outdoor setting to spark what the artist hopes will become a lasting cultural trend.
Held in a picturesque valley by the riverside, the event drew friends, family members and fans into an atmosphere defined by nature and intentional simplicity.
The choice of location was central to the concept. According to Airo Uche, the riverside setting naturally inspired the inclusion of hiking, an activity that complemented the overall experience.
For the artist, nature plays a critical role in his creative process, offering focus, clarity, and refreshment. The hiking session not only added a physical dimension to the event, but also deepened participants’ connection to the environment and to one another.
At its core, Grillz by the Riverside was built around connection. The event combined grilled food, music and comedy in a deliberate mix aimed at creating an open and unrestrictive space. Rather than confining attendees to a fixed programme, the organisers sought to encourage organic interaction, laughter and shared enjoyment. This balance, Airo Uche explained, allowed people to relax, have fun, and engage freely without feeling boxed into a traditional entertainment format.
The event also served as a platform for the exclusive listening session of Airo Uche’s new single, Apple of My Eyes. The mid-tempo love-themed song was introduced as a celebration of affection, created to encourage couples to appreciate their partners.
Described by the artist as a song for “every couple,” the track reflects his belief that love remains constant and relevant across all stages of life. Sharing the song in such an intimate setting, he noted, made it easier to gauge genuine reactions and connect directly with listeners.
Airo Uche emphasised that the event was centred on “our people and their well-being,” with entertainment serving as a means of strengthening communal ties. The riverside setting, he said, simply provided the best environment to introduce his evolving sound while prioritising comfort and shared experience.
The positive feedback from attendees proved to be a major boost for the artist and his team. Reactions to Apple of My Eyes convinced them to invest more energy into promoting the project and preparing it for wider public release.
“I feel awesome about the song,” Airo Uche said, noting that the response reinforced his confidence in the direction of his music.
As an artist, Airo Uche describes himself as constantly evolving, a quality he wants reflected in his sound. His approach to music focuses on creating songs that people can enjoy across different moments in their lives. By keeping his music relaxing and relatable, he ensures that it resonates not only with listeners but also with himself as the creator.
On challenges, Airo Uche believes that his strong community connection helped overcome some of the barriers. He also highlighted the creative freedom that comes with independence, allowing room for experimentation, mistakes and growth.
While many attendees suggested making Grillz by the Riverside a quarterly event, the organisers have opted for an annual schedule. The decision, Airo Uche explained, is to preserve its value, build anticipation, and allow adequate time to plan an even better experience each year.
