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Liverpool’s Africa Oyé festival has revealed the latest wave of artists set to appear when the celebration of African and Caribbean culture returns to Sefton Park this summer.
Joining an already impressive 2026 lineup are lovers rock royalty Janet Kay, Togolese feminist trio Nana Benz Du Togo, and Congolese electric music pioneer Kizaba - three artists bringing distinct sounds and stories to the city in June.
The new names join previously announced acts including eco-punk collective Fulu Miziki, Afrobeats heavyweight Patoranking, and Malian Afrofuturist icon Fatoumata Diawara.
Few voices loom as large in UK reggae as Janet Kay’s. Often dubbed the “Queen of Lovers Rock,” the singer made history with her timeless hit Silly Games, becoming the first Black British-born female reggae artist to reach number one in the UK pop charts - a milestone that secured her a place in the Music Guinness Book of Records.
Growing up immersed in the sounds of Tamla Motown, Kay’s musical journey began early, shaped by the soul greats of the 1960s. Over the decades she has worked with reggae heavyweights including Alton Ellis, Jackie Mittoo and Sugar Minott, helping define the lovers rock sound that blossomed in Britain.
Her performance at Oyé 2026 - appearing on the Sunday lineup - promises both nostalgia and enduring class, with the singer’s unmistakably warm vocals still captivating audiences around the world.
Also landing on the Sunday bill are Nana Benz Du Togo, a trio whose performances fuse ancestral tradition with modern experimentation.
Armed with little more than their voices and a vintage Korg keyboard, the group conjures a hypnotic sound built on deep sub-bass, layered polyrhythms and spiritual energy. Their music blends elements of voodoo tradition with electro-soul - creating something that feels both ancient and futuristic.
The result is a live show that has earned a reputation for intensity and transcendence, driven by the commanding presence of three powerful feminist voices.
Meanwhile, Kizaba returns to Oyé with a full band after opening the festival’s 2022 edition with a memorable solo performance.
The Congolese artist has become known for his self-described “Afro-pun philosophy,” blending ancestral vocals with soukous, Afrobeat and electronic textures to create what he calls Congolese Electric music.
With appearances at major international festivals including New Orleans Jazz Festival and WOMAD Chile, Kizaba’s live show channels an energetic Afrofuturist aesthetic - honouring heritage while pushing forward into new sonic territory.
He’ll appear on the Saturday lineup at Oyé 2026.
Paul Duhaney, Artistic Director of Africa Oyé, said the latest announcements reflect the festival’s commitment to celebrating both iconic artists and innovative global voices. “We’re really excited to announce this latest wave of artists,” he said.
“Janet Kay is a history-making artist with songs that define lovers rock and she’s the latest in a long list of iconic reggae acts to play Africa Oyé.
“Nana Benz Du Togo have been on our radar for a while and I’m delighted we could bring them to Liverpool this summer. And Kizaba needs no introduction to anyone who saw his brilliant solo set in 2022 — when we saw his new live show at WOMEX last year we knew straight away we had to have him back.”
Africa Oyé returns to Sefton Park on 20–21 June 2026, marking a significant moment in the festival’s history.
After more than three decades as a free event, the festival will be ticketed for the first time, following a fallow year in 2025 caused by rising infrastructure costs and changing legislation. Organisers say the move is necessary to keep the event sustainable while maintaining its inclusive ethos.
Despite the changes, the spirit of Oyé remains the same: a vibrant celebration of African and Caribbean culture featuring international artists, emerging talent, DJs, workshops, world cuisine and the colourful Oyé Village.
From its beginnings in 1992 as a small run of gigs connected to Liverpool’s Club Corinto nights, the festival has grown into the UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.
And when it returns this summer, the message remains clear: Oyé is still about bringing people together - through music, culture and community - in one of Liverpool’s most beloved green spaces.
Header image: Liverpool’s Africa Oyé festival at Sefton Park. (Santrofi)
