Profile
Africa Oye (meaning listen to Africa) was founded in 1992. Oye prioritises the best live music of the African Continent, the Caribbean and the Americas. The annual June Festival (2007 is from 11 to 17 June) is delivered free to all, and past programmes have included musicians and singers from over 60 nations including Baaba Maal, Femi Kuti, Rebecca Malope, Tinarewen, Morgan Family Heritage, Bookmans Eksperyans, Son 14, Candido Fabre, Thomas Mapfumo, the 4 Brothers, Wenge Musica, Sierra Maestra, Soul Brothers, Ba Cissoko, Kandia Kouyate, Oumou Sangare, Mbilia Bel, John Chibadura, Simba Wanyika, many of them making their UK debuts.
Statement from Oye spokeperson
We are a unique organisation that tries hard to bring the best young musical talent from Africa in particular. The profound influence of African music on American-European popular music is hardly recognised and the fact that Africa had classical music forms two hundred years before European plain song says it all.
Oye ambience is legendary:
Senior citizens sharing their picnics with infants, kids playing, their parents relaxing, some dancing, people from every community of our world, all here, all happy, all enjoying music and each other, truly the world in one city park.
Contact details
Africa Oye
Gostin Buildings
32-36 Hanover Street
Liverpool
L1 4LN
Phone: +44 (0)151 708 6305 (information line)
Email: africa.oye@btconnect.com
Website: (crucial for festival details & updates) www.africaoye.com
