Africa Oyé
Event Type
Music Festival
Date
20th June – 21st June
Distance to the Port
15 Minute Drive / 20 Minute Bus
May the sun shine upon you and your loved ones; whether you're dancing to live music from world-class artists from African and the Diaspora; sampling cuisine from across the globe in the Oyé Village; taking part in free workshops in the Oyé Active Zone, enjoying live DJ sets, or simply basking in the unique atmosphere that only Africa Oyé can bring.
With too many negative representations of Africa entrenched in images of war, disease, poverty and famine, Oyé seeks to redress the balance and highlight the fantastic range of cultures, foods, music and artists that make this great continent one of the most vibrant and inspiring in the world.
The festival originally came out of the Monthly "Club Corinto" nights which were produced by the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign. In 1992 a large group of people in Liverpool came together to produce a programme under the banner of the 500 years of Resistance Campaign; whilst others were celebrating 500 years of the "discovery" of America, Liverpool took on the job of celebrating "500 years of Resistance".
Africa Oyé was one of the projects that became part of the cultural programme of the campaign. Africa Oyé began as an African and Latin American festival with 50% of the artists coming from Latin America including bands Olodum from Brazil, Sierra Maestra from Cuba and Awatiñas from Bolivia.
"This isn't just the largest festival of African and Caribbean music in Britain, it's the best"
– The Sunday Times
The festival is now a truly international event that harnesses the spirit of multiculturalism and tolerance. It has played host to artists from nations right across Africa and also programmes music from South America and The Caribbean with Salsa, Soca and Reggae always a popular addition to the festivities.
But Africa Oyé is about more than music… Over 90 stalls selling the best food, drink, arts and crafts and fashion from Africa and beyond will again be present at the Oyé village along with long time supporter 'News From Nowhere', one of the UK's premier stockists of African music, with all the performing artists and much more on sale, it's a great opportunity to not only take in some of the best roots music around, but take some home with you too.
To buy tickets to this event please visit Tickets | Africa Oye – Africa Oye
