When the Africa Oyé festival takes a rare breather, you better believe something special is brewing in its place. This June, one of West Africa’s most revered musical forces—Orchestra Baobab—will fill the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall with rhythm, legacy, and life-affirming joy.
Taking to the stage on Sunday 15th June, this isn’t just a gig—it’s a celebration. A love letter to the Oyé faithful who’ll be feeling the absence of Sefton Park this summer, and a reminder of what made us fall in love with these sounds in the first place.
Formed in Dakar in 1970, Orchestra Baobab reshaped the West African music scene by blending Afro-Cuban grooves, griot storytelling, and highlife sensibilities with a distinctly Senegalese soul. They didn’t just make music—they made history. Their records still shimmer with lush horns, warm rhythms, and harmonies that wrap around your bones.
But this isn’t some nostalgic cash-in. As Songlines put it, Baobab “consistently push their lush yet imaginative sound forward.” Expect fresh material, new members, and a setlist that’ll transport you from the streets of Dakar to the dancefloors of Liverpool—all in one groove-laden evening.
Africa Oyé’s Artistic Director, Paul Duhaney, nails it: “Baobab captures that ‘Oyé’ Sefton Park sound.” And with this being a key date in Oyé’s 2025 fundraising series—set to help fund the festival’s glorious return in 2026—you’re not just buying a ticket. You’re keeping something vital alive.
Come for the legacy. Stay for the rhythm. Leave with your soul singing.
🎟 Sunday 15th June 2025 – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
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