We Speak Events

Africa Oyé announces FULL MUSIC LINE-UP for 2023 Festival in Sefton Park!

Published

12 months ago

June 7, 2023

Don Reed

Africa Oyé Festival are delighted to announce the final wave of live acts for their 31st annual celebration of music and culture this June!

Acts representing Ghana, D.R Congo, Cuba, and Colombia are included in the reveal.

Headlining this year’s festival are Afrobeat superstar, Seun Kuti and pioneering dancehall singer, Tanya Stephens. They are also joined on the line-up by British/Congolese rapper and singer, ZieZie whose addition to the line-up will delight his 100,000+ followers on TikTok.

Artistic Director, Paul Duhaney, said of the announcement, “We’re really pleased with the line-up for this year ‘s festival and how it reflects our ongoing mission to showcase the music of Africa and the wider Diaspora. Artists from Liverpool to Accra and London to Havana will take over Sefton Park this summer for a truly international celebration.”

On 17th & 18th June 2023, thousands in Sefton Park will celebrate the music and culture of Africa with two free days of fantastic music, workshops, DJs, dance, food stalls and a range of traders in the Village.

This final line up announcement includes Alogte Oho- the number one Frafra gospel artist from within the explosive music scene of Bolgatanga in Northern Ghana. Accompanied by his powerful female choir, the group is driven by super-tight horns and vintage keyboards; Alogte Oho & his Sounds of Joy (pictured above) will ‘surprise, delight and inspire’.

Creating ‘a modern-day cocktail of two of the great world musics’, Grupo Lokito will be fusing blistering contemporary Congolese grooves with the fire of Cuban music on the festival Sunday afternoon. Audiences can expect glorious melodious vocals, soaring guitars, and lilting keyboards from this exciting group.

Describing their music as “a combination of life experiences, dreams and joys that have fed off of our direct connection to Africa”, Soukustek are a group born under the gaze of the Caribbean Sea surrounding the Coastal city of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. Also playing the Sunday afternoon of the festival, the band combines the rhythms and the sounds of guitars that arrived from Africa in the 70s and seamlessly blends them with the flavour of the Colombian Caribbean.

The full line-up announcement also features Liverpool’s own, Ni Maxine. The neo-jazz singer’s performance on Saturday afternoon will mark the first time an artist from our Oyé Introduces programme has been invited back to be part of the main stage line-up, such was the acclaim following her performance in 2022.

Launched in 2015, ‘Oyé Introduces’ sees local artists open the musical programme on both days of the festival – following community performances from Merseyside cultural organisations – giving some of the area’s brightest young talent the chance to share the stage with international stars. This year, the programme sees R&B vocal harmony group, AMBA and South Liverpool rap trio, Black Borough take the stage at Sefton Park.

The 2023 Africa Oyé festival will take place on 17th and 18th June in Liverpool’s Sefton Park on the Review Field from 12:30pm til 9:30pm both days. Entrance is FREE and you do not need a ticket.

We Speak Entertainment

Unveiling Stacey Jackson: From Pop Stardom to Literary Adventure

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2024

Public Relations Agency LLC

Stacey Jackson, the multitalented singer-songwriter known for her infectious tunes and dynamic performances, is now making waves in the literary world with her debut novel, “How a Gangsta Rapper Made Me A Better Mom try”. As she gears up for her upcoming Flipside Tour across the UK, fans are eagerly anticipating not only her electrifying stage presence but also the chance to delve into the pages of her captivating new novel.

Stacey opens up about her transition from crafting melodies to penning prose, shedding light on the creative process behind her literary venture and its intersection with her music career.

Inspiration Strikes: From Lyrics to Literature

When asked about her inspiration for diving into novel writing, Stacey reveals, “Transitioning to writing a novel was terrifying! But having cameras in my house following me around 24/7 wasn’t my family’s cup of tea! So, a friend of mine… said, ‘Why don’t you just write a book?'” Thus began her journey into the world of storytelling, fueled by her desire to share her remarkable life experiences in a fresh and engaging format.

Crafting Characters and Connecting Stories

Stacey’s creative process for writing “How a Gangsta Rapper Made Me A Better Mom” involved weaving together a tapestry of characters and plotlines, drawing inspiration from her own adventures in the music industry. She explains, “The bulk of the book is loosely based on my own journey… I literally played every venue from ‘shitty’ dives on the side of the motorway to massive sporting arenas.” Through meticulous planning and a touch of artistic flair, she brought her characters to life, each with their own unique voice and personality.

Themes of Resilience and Pursuing Dreams

At the heart of her novel lie themes of resilience and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. Stacey hopes to convey to her readers that “it’s never too late to live your own dreams and never give up on your passions or on yourself.” Her novel serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the joy of embracing new challenges, echoing her own journey of reinvention and success.

Balancing Acts: Music, Writing, and Everything In Between*

Navigating the worlds of music and literature may seem like a daunting task, but for Stacey, it’s all about embracing the ebb and flow of creativity. From crafting melodies to penning chapters, she thrives on spontaneity and the thrill of creative collaboration. “I juggle everything in very random order,” she admits, highlighting her ADHD-fueled approach to balancing multiple projects. Yet, amidst the chaos, she finds moments of clarity and inspiration, fueling her artistic endeavors with boundless energy and enthusiasm.

Looking Ahead: A Trilogy in the Making

As Stacey prepares to embark on her Flipside Tour, she already has her sights set on the next chapter of her literary journey. “The first book was meant to be part of a trilogy,” she reveals, hinting at future adventures for her beloved characters. With each installment, she plans to explore new facets of their lives, intertwining music, family, and personal growth in a delightful blend of fiction and reality.

Conclusion: A Star on the Rise

With her infectious energy and boundless creativity, Stacey Jackson continues to captivate audiences across multiple artistic platforms. As fans eagerly await the kickoff of her Flipside Tour, one thing is clear: Stacey’s star shines brightly in both the world of music and the realm of literature, proving that true talent knows no bounds.

So, whether you’re grooving to her latest hit or losing yourself in the pages of her debut novel, one thing’s for sure – with Stacey Jackson, the journey is always an unforgettable adventure.

*Get ready to flip the script and join Stacey Jackson on her Flipside Tour, coming soon to a city near you!*

The Factory Live

Worthing on the South Coast

16th May

Leestock festival

Long Melford, Suffolk

26th May

The Camden Club

London

4th June

Pride in the park

southampton