Africa Oyé reveals DJ lineup for 2026

Returning this summer to the Liverpool festival are two of the UK’s biggest names in African and Caribbean music.

The festival is welcoming back a host of familiar faces – with some of the region’s best established and emerging talent. BBC1 Xtra’s DJ Edu and Seani B will be back to perform at the popular festival in Sefton Park – alongside some of the region’s best talent.

After a massively successful set in 2024, Seani B makes a come back now with his popular weekly ‘1Xtra Dancehall show’ and having amassed over 90 million views for his sessions in Jamaica. Hailing from London, Seani takes influence from these cosmopolitan surroundings into his unique musical blend.

Africa Oyé also welcomes back the ‘Afro Boss’ DJ Edu! Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Edu began his career as one of the premier Homeboyz DJ crew, a resident at Carnivore, and as a presenter on Capital FM.

NewsAfrica magazine named him one of the 100 most influential Africans of 2024. It is clear that his goal of ‘putting the latest and greatest sounds produced by Africa’s new generation on the global map’ has become a reality for him with his continued work across the music scene and his BBC Radio1 and 1Xtra platforms.

DJ Edu / photo by Mark McNulty — Credit: Mark McNulty

Both Seani B & DJ Edu will also be playing an evening set this year due to popular demand on the dedicated DJ stage. The main stage will be covered by Liverpool-based DJ and head honcho of the popular Afrosentrik nights – SoulfulTiz.

Additionally, more returning favourites include G33 & Hannah Lynch (both of Girls Don’t Sync) fusing house, UK gargae and global club sounds. Another familiar fave to look forward to at Oyé in 2026 are Liverpool-based clublight OTRA, bringing residents Dharma Collective and RoBaSca, with globally influenced club music and percussive dancefloor sounds.

Festival regulars Dub Defenders and guests Sugarshack Sound will be perfroming heavyweight roots, dub and stepper selections. This will feature guest MCs Andre Jahnoi, Nicky Talent, Smokey and MC Blista. The stage will also showcase Liverpool DJ royalty – with selectors from No Fakin’ and Lyrical Compact, and a host of friends, making their return.

Chop.Life Partee will be serving up amapiano heat and bringing those high energy vibes to the dancefloor, along with Liverpool heavyweights Culture Deck with a collective of L8 selectors.

On top of all that, Decks in the City will also be presenting a 2-hour takeover showcasing a cross-section of its community, with ‘Mums in the Mix DJs’ alongside core residents, bringing together different sounds and perspectives on the decks for a genre-spanning session.

Artistic Director of Africa Oyé, Paul Duhaney said:

“Edu is part of the Oyé family and we’re delighted he can join us for the first festival in this new era. And Seani’s debut in 2024 went down so well we just had to bring him back this year. Both of them playing a headline set on the DJ stage for the first will be something special! For DJs based more locally – the lineup really is a testament to the talent that this city is producing behind the decks.”

A diverse range of Afrocentric and Caribbean sounds can be expected over the festival weeknd, with much more from the eclectic lineup.

Africa Oyé takes place on 20th and 21st June in Liverpool’s iconic Sefton Park with tickets now available for both days.