Africa Oyé reveals local stars set to open this year’s festival in Sefton Park

Africa Oyé has announced the Liverpool artists and community groups who will take to the stage as part of its Oyé Introduces and Oyé Community programmes when the festival returns to Sefton Park this weekend.

The much loved festival, which celebrates African and Caribbean music and culture, is once again shining a spotlight on emerging local talent, giving Liverpool performers the chance to share the stage with internationally renowned artists.

Launched in 2015, the Oyé Introduces programme was created to showcase some of the region’s brightest young musicians, while the Oyé Community programme highlights the incredible cultural organisations helping to shape communities across the Liverpool City Region.

Liverpool Hip Hop Festival and KOJ lead Oyé Introduces lineup

Opening the music programme on Saturday 20 June will be Liverpool Hip Hop Festival, bringing a cypher of emerging artists to the Africa Oyé stage.

The performance will feature Janice Myers, Nate, Kayde and Jazz Gittens alongside friends, showcasing the work of the festival’s Access All Areas project, which supports young musicians through mentoring, songwriting camps, studio sessions and live performance opportunities.

On Sunday 21 June, South Liverpool rapper KOJ will bring his TRiBE project to the main stage.

Having already collaborated with Africa Oyé and LIMF Academy earlier this year, KOJ will make his Africa Oyé main stage debut with a performance blending grime, rap and spoken word influences. Widely regarded as one of Liverpool’s most exciting emerging artists, his music reflects his upbringing in the city and growing reputation on the UK rap scene.

Community groups bring colour, rhythm and culture to Sefton Park

The Oyé Community programme opens on Saturday with Batala Mersey, whose energetic samba reggae drumming performances are inspired by Afro Brazilian traditions.

The group is known for promoting cultural diversity through rhythm, movement and community participation, and festivalgoers will also have the chance to dance with Batala in front of the main stage later in the day.

Sunday’s community programme begins with Positive Impact, featuring Liverpool singer songwriters Tiara Leigh Ferns and Jemimah Akanu.

Drawing inspiration from R&B, neo soul and jazz, the pair will help kickstart another day of live music and celebration in Sefton Park.

New and returning favourites join festival parade

Africa Oyé will also welcome Dancing Queens for the first time this year.

Based at Liverpool’s African Caribbean Centre, the group empowers Black women through dance while creating opportunities for connection, wellbeing and community support.

They will join returning festival favourites Katumba for a special parade around the festival site on Sunday.

Known for their powerful percussion performances, Katumba combines Brazilian carnival traditions with contemporary rhythms and choreography, creating one of the festival’s most colourful and energetic spectacles.

Festival organisers say visitors can expect huge beats, carnival spirit and plenty of opportunities to get involved as the parade makes its way through Sefton Park.

Africa Oyé takes place on 20 and 21 June in Sefton Park, with tickets available now via the festival website.

Here is everything you need to know about Africa Oyé 2026.

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