Africa Oyé 25th Anniversary Festival
Sefton Park, Liverpool
Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th June 2017
12:30pm – 9:30pm both days / Admission: FREE
Funded by Arts Council England & Liverpool City Council
Africa Oyé returns to Sefton Park this summer for an extra special occasion; celebrating 25 years of bringing the best talent Africa and the Diaspora have to offer to the UK. To mark the occasion, Oyé have invited an eclectic mix of top artists from over the years to return to Liverpool for an unforgettable weekend of music and culture.
Leading the anniversary celebrations in June will be festival alumni Dizzy Mandjeku & Odemba OK Jazz All-Stars, Jupiter & Okwess International and Mokoomba.
Odemba OK Jazz All-Stars
Led and conducted by guitarist and living legend Dizzy Mandjeku (former member of Franco’s OK Jazz), the magnificent 12-piece Odemba OK Jazz All-Stars are the original exponents of smooth big band ‘Franco style’ Congolese Rumba. Other greats in the All-Star line up include Malage De Lugendo, Nana and Baniel, Dele Pedro, and veteran Seigneur Lokombe; all legends in their own right.
Gaining huge popularity during the 60s and 70s, Odemba embody a timeless quality that keeps them relevant and engaging to this day. After first gracing the Oyé stage back in 2007, Odemba are an unmissable act guaranteed to get you dancing.
Mokoomba at Oye 2013 (Photo: Mark McNulty)
Dubbed by the Guardian as ‘one of the finest young bands in Africa’ following the release of their debut album five years ago, Mokoomba return to Oyé after an acclaimed headline set in 2013. With a unique blend of afro-fusion, the Zimbabwean group masterfully combines local tradition with world music, stretching from Latin American rhythms to New Orleans funk.
A melting pot of influence, Mokoomba are led by the charasmatic Mathias Muzaza; his powerful raps sewn through distinctive Tongan vocals. Powerful, fluid bass lines with afro-salsa beats thrown into the mix to keep the feet moving and the party going. The result is a glorious pan-African blend and a sound that everyone can get on board with.
Jupiter & Okwess International
Kinshasa pioneers Jupiter & Okwess International make a swift return to Liverpool following their stunning performance at Oyé ’14. Spending his formative years in Berlin, Jupiter Bokondji incorporates western rock into Congolese tradition. The band strive to reactivate the forgotten rhythms and melodies of the nation, a country comprised of around 450 ethnicities.
After 10 years touring all over Africa, the band took part in Kinshasa One Two, an Oxfam project driven by Damon Albarn participating in the album DRC Music. This opportunity lead onto a performance at the 2012 Africa Express tour. Eclectic and ambitious in their music and message, Jupiter & Okwess International will no doubt put on a show-stopping performance at Oyé 17.
Alongside the main stage, the Oyé Village will be providing the public with a variety of world foods, workshops, dance classes, traders and DJs and more. Lots of child-friendly entertainment will once again be on-site so festival-goers can bring the whole family along.
Movema will host the Active Zone
Artistic Director, Paul Duhaney is excited about what’s in store for Oyé’s milestone year. “It’s amazing to be able to look back at the last 25 years and pick some of our favourites to return for this celebration. The festival this year will be the centrepiece of a whole year of gigs and events and I couldn’t be happier with the first acts that we’ve announced.”
Africa Oyé will take place on 17th and 18th June in Sefton Park, from 12:30pm till 9:30pm on both days and entry is FREE. For more information on Oyé and its associated events, please visit africaoye.com.
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