Artists from Senegal, Haiti and the US are amongst the next wave of artists set to perform at the 27th annual Africa Oyé festival this summer.
Taking place in Liverpool’s Sefton Park on the 22nd and 23rd of June, the music and culture of Africa and the Diaspora will once again take centre stage for two free days of fantastic live performances, DJ sets and multi-arts workshops.
Leading the way for this second wave announcement is America’s OSHUN, an independent hip-hop and soul duo whose music is described as the ‘sonic manifestation of Afrofuturism’.
Festival-goers can expect an incredible fusion of digital and acoustic sounds, heavy drums and bass, and ambient harmonic textures as OSHUN connect with the spirit of their ancestors.
The duo have recently debuted their album series “Bittersweet”, complete with captivating visuals and a two month long tour of the US & Canada.
OSHUN
Also announced for the 2019 festival is Moonlight Benjamin, who will bring her unique Haitian Voodoo sounds to Liverpool. Featuring nods to Caribbean voodoo tunes, 70s blues, rushing riffs, saturated electric guitars, and a powerful raw voice – Moonlight’s music is as ambivalent and intoxicating as it is fascinating.
Born and raised in Haiti, Moonlight spent her childhood with a priest who raised her and taught her Christian hymns. However, she quickly emancipated herself from this genre and began to discover her own style of music. Liverpool will get to witness her enchantment first hand when she comes to Liverpool this June.
Moonlight Benjamin
Rounding off this wave of artists is Senegal’s Carlou D, who makes a welcome return to the festival after first performing on the Sefton Park stage back in 2010.
Born in the suburbs of Dakar, Carlou started his musical career as a member of Positive Black Soul – the country’s first, and arguably most successful hip-hop group, and has been mentored by and collaborated with the legendary Youssou N’Dour. Now performing as a solo artist, and with several albums under his belt, Carlou D is a recognisable figure across the world in his traditional Muslim robes with the image of his spiritual guide around his neck.
With his clear and distinctive voice, Carlou D connects the mystical, spiritual Zikr music of the Baye Fall holy men of Senegal, with the grooves of funk, Mbalax and Afropop to create his own authentic style.
Carlou D by Jytte Meilvang
The second wave artists join South Africa’s BCUC and Algeria’s Sofiane Saidi & Mazalda on a line-up that’s shaping up to be another packed and varied weekend of entertainment.
As well as the international offering of live music on the main stage, festival-goers will also be able to eat and drink their way around the world with a range of food stalls and traders’ wares on offer in the Oyé Village.
More main stage artists are set to be revealed soon, following a record number of applications to play the event that Bido Lito! has called ‘the jewel in Liverpool’s festival crown’.
The 2019 Africa Oyé festival will take place on 22nd and 23rd June, 2019 in Liverpool’s Sefton Park from 12:30pm til 9:30pm both days and entrance is FREE.
Photo: Trenchtown by Mark McNulty
For more information on the festival and other events held across the country by Africa Oyé please visit africaoye.com.
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