“This is probably our strongest line up ever and with six female acts on the bill this year it’s fantastic to be able to pay homage to the women of Africa” says Paul Duhaney, Director of Africa Oyé. The UK’s largest celebration of African culture takes place this year on the weekend of 18th – 19th June at Sefton Park in Liverpool from 12.30pm – 9.30pm each day – and what’s more it’s free entry!! 2011 marks the 20th edition of the festival which started off as a series of small gigs in the city centre and moved to Sefton Park in 2002 to cope with the ever increasing numbers attending the event. Highlights on this year’s bill include Jamaican reggae queen Marcia Griffiths, Benin’s Gangbé Brass Band, Mariem Hassan from Western Sahara, Mali’s Fatoumata Diawara and the Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars among others. The festival also boasts its own village with over 60 stalls selling “the best food, drink, music, arts and crafts and fashion from Africa and beyond”. Watch Fatoumata Diawara performing the title track from her new EP Kanou and get the full line-up on the next page.
Gangbe Brass Band
SATURDAY 18TH JUNE 2011
Gangbe Brass Band – Benin
Kayrece Fotso – Cameroon
Mariem Hassan – Western Sahara
Bonga – Angola
Fatoumata Diawara – Mali
Marcia Griffiths – Jamaica
Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars
SUNDAY 19TH JUNE 2011
Zewditu Yohannes – Ethiopia
Amkoullel The Fula Child – Mali
Cheny Wa Guine – Mozambique
Damily – Madagascar
Khaira Arby – Mali
Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars – Sierra Leone
Here’s the title track from Fatoumata Diawara’s debut EP Kanou which had its digital release earlier this month on World Circuit; her debut album Fatou will be released in September.
