Africa Oyé have announced that there will be no summer festival in 2025, but have 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 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 africaoye.com and follow them across social media.