The next wave of artists for Africa Oyé’s 2026 festival have been announced.
The first Black British female reggae artist to have a number one in the UK; a feminist trio from Togo with a transcendent live show; and an Afrofuturist singer-songwriter will play the iconic Liverpool festival this June.
Janet Kay, Nana Benz Du Togo, and Kizaba join the three artists already announced for Africa Oyé ’26 – eco-punks Fulu Miziki, Afrobeats heavyweight Patoranking, and the Afrofuturist chanteuse Fatoumata Diawara.
Queen of Lovers Rock, Janet Kay, makes her Oyé debut in 2026. The multi-award winning artist is best known for her stellar hit single ‘Silly Games’, which placed her in the Music Guinness Book of Records as the first Black British born Female Reggae artist to hit the top of the UK Pop Charts.
As a ‘sixties child’, Kay was exposed to the singing greats – especially those from the Tamla Motown stable – and her love for singing was born. She has since been produced by a host of legendary producers/artists, including the late great Alton Ellis, Jackie Mitto and Sugar Minot.
Kay’s impact on the UK reggae scene has been inspirational – and her sweet, heartwarming vocals continue to win her many fans around the world. Joining the line up for Sunday at the festival, she will be sure to bring an unforgettable performance to Oyé.
Also announced to perform as part of Oyé’s Sunday line-up is Nana Benz Du Togo.
The group consists of 3 formidable feminist voices. Armed with nothing more than their vocals and a vintage Korg keyboard, this powerful ensemble create a unique blend of voodoo tradition and soul.
Nana Benz du Togo channels an organic sound steeped in sub-bass and layered with complex polyrhythms, creating a hypnotic foundation for the voices of these three electrifying electro-soul preachers. Their transcendent live shows are nothing short of spiritual – a blend of ancestral energy and modern fire.
Afrofuturist singer-songwriter and pioneer of Congolese Electric music Kizaba returns to Oyé in 2026 with a full ensemble, after successfully opening the 2022 festival as a solo artist.
He skilfully blends ancestral vocals with the vibrant sounds of Congolese soukous and Afrobeat – rooted in an ‘afro-pun philosophy’, and framed by a futuristic aesthetic – with seminal performances at the New Orleans Jazz festival and WOMAD Chile.
The Kizaba live show delivers a truly unique musical experience. Driven by a vibrant and authentic energy, the performance invites audiences on an Afro-futuristic journey – a tribute to ancestral heritage reimagined through the modern sounds of today’s world. Kizaba perform on the Saturday at Oyé ’26.
Paul Duhaney, Artistic Director Africa Oyé said: “We’re really excited to announce this latest wave of artists for the festival. Janet Kay is a history making artist with songs that define lovers rock and is the latest in a long list of iconic reggae acts that have played Africa Oyé. Nana Benz Du Togo have been on our radar for a while and I’m delighted we could get them over to Liverpool this summer. And Kizaba needs no introduction for anyone who saw his brilliant solo set in 2022. We had the pleasure of seeing his new live show at a WOMEX showcase last year and knew straight away that we had to have him back.”
The UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture makes its return to Liverpool on 20th and 21st June this summer, following a fallow year in 2025 due to rising infrastructure costs, changing legislation, and the increasingly difficult challenge of keeping the event free.
The organisers of the ‘jewel in Liverpool’s festival crown’ are committed to making it as affordable as possible for its audience, with low ticket prices and children under 12 receiving free entry to the event (with a paying adult).
The Africa Oyé festival began back in 1992 as a series of gigs in Liverpool city centre, originally coming out of the monthly “Club Corinto” nights which were produced by the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign. Its growth over the last 33 years has seen the festival take place in multiple locations including Birkenhead Park, Princes Park, and Concert Square. Africa Oyé has taken place in the picturesque surroundings of Sefton Park since 2002.
This year’s celebration on 20th and 21st June 2026 will be the first ticketed Oyé in Sefton Park in the festival’s history, and as ever, the event will be an eclectic mix of international live acts, emerging talent, community performances, family friendly workshops, DJs, world cuisine, arts & crafts and much more.
Festival tickets are on sale now via TicketQuarter and africaoye.com.
