Africa Oyé has announced that there will be no summer festival in 2025 but has assured fans that plans are in place to return stronger in 2026.
The announcement comes following a record-breaking festival for the Liverpool institution in 2024 that saw incredible attendances over the June weekend.
With the increased costs that come with this growth, and the rise in industry supplier costs across the sector (estimated at 20-30%), the charity behind the event have taken the difficult decision to have a ‘fallow year’ to ensure the event can return the following year, with festival dates already confirmed as 20th and 21st June 2026.
Artistic Director of Africa Oyé, Paul Duhaney said:
“We understand that there will of course be disappointment with this announcement. Our relationships with the Oyé family, festival staff, traders and service suppliers are very important to us and we did not take this decision lightly. With increased infrastructure and compliance costs, it is simply a case that without major investment to cover the costs of delivering a festival of this size safely, it would be irresponsible to go ahead with the event in 2025.”
The decision comes after the Music Venue Trust and the Association of Independent Festivals have just announced that around 125 grassroots music venues across the country closed last year, while an estimated 192 festivals have disappeared since 2019.
Paul explained:
“I can reassure everyone that the festival will be back in 2026. The break will allow us to raise money through a series of fundraising concerts, allow us time to negotiate with major partners, sponsors, and funders, and work towards a safe and successful return to Sefton Park.”
The festival’s primary funder, Arts Council England, is supporting the decision, as is Liverpool City Council.
Jen Cleary, Director, North and Combined Arts, Arts Council England, said:
“Africa Oyé’s celebrations of African music and culture are well-loved across both the North West and the national music scene and it was great to see record attendances to its 2024 festival. Given the current challenges, we understand the decision to take a fallow year and we are pleased to support the team as it works on strengthening the festival’s future. We look forward to seeing Africa Oyé return in 2026.”
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:
“Africa Oyé is a major event which we are proud of and over the years it has grown out of all recognition, both in terms of numbers and the brilliant content. Everything in the event world has changed post Covid-19 with huge pressure on all outdoor events in terms of infrastructure. It is right that Paul and the team have the time to reset, after consistently delivering an event which gets bigger and better every year. They have our full, unwavering support and we will work with them and Arts Council England closely over the next year to ensure they can deliver Africa Oyé in the way they want – with great artistic ambition but also the capacity to look after the growing numbers of festival-goers.”
The fundraising concerts that will help raise money for the festival’s return will take place at venues across the Liverpool City Region in 2025, with the first shows to be announced very soon.
For more information on the festival and other events held across the country by Africa Oyé please visit the website and follow them across social media.
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