Felabration 2025 in Hull: Shakara – Bold Expressions of Afrobeat

Join us for Felabration 2025 in Hull – a landmark Black History Month celebration themed “Shakara – Bold Expressions of Afrobeat”.

As the official UK edition of Felabration, founded in memory of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, this year’s festival brings together exhibitions, thought leadership panels, and live music to explore and celebrate Afrobeat’s global impact.

What to Expect:

Thought Leadership Panels at Ferens Art Gallery (Afternoon)

• Explore Fela’s legacy across music, arts, media, and fashion.
• Discuss the business of Afrobeat in today’s global market.
• Examine how festivals shape city identity, tourism, and cultural branding.
• Hear from academics, curators, artists, and industry leaders.

Sauti Sessions Live Concert at PQ Event Space (Evening)

• High-energy performances from UK and Nigerian Afrobeat artists.
• Featuring: Kayode Bamgbose, Maka, Kayefi, DJ TeckZilla, Idan Vibes Band, and more.
• A night of Afrobeat, highlife, drumming, and dance that embodies the fearless spirit of Fela.

Exhibition at Wilberforce House Museum (1 Oct – 2 Nov)

• The Underground Spiritual Game – Fela Kuti: Visual Storytelling on Fela’s Global Impact.
• Featuring archival material from Rikki Stein and contemporary contributions from artists like Abolore Sobayo and Rayh Mohammed.
• Opens 1 October (Nigeria’s Independence Day & Black History Month launch).

This is more than a festival – it’s a cultural movement uniting Hull’s creative community with the Afrobeat diaspora.

Info: Wilberforce House Museum

Info: Guest check-in, distribution of festival programme.
Afrobeat playlist + visuals to set the mood.

Info: Light refreshments, informal artist/festival meet & greet.

Info: Ferens Art Gallery

Info: Guest check-in for the afternoon programme.
Afrobeat playlist + visuals setting the tone.

Info: Welcome by organisers.
Short film: Scenes from Finding Fela!

Info: The Underground Spiritual Game – Fela Kuti: Visual storytelling on Fela’s global impact
Featuring archival material from Rikki Stein + contributions from Abolore Sobayo and Rayh Mohammed.
Special reading: Moving Music: The Memoirs of Rikki Stein (by Rikki Stein).

Info: From Vinyl to Streaming: Afrobeat’s Global Journey and the Future of Distribution

Info: Live drumming interlude with Ajide Adeyemi.
Theme: Drumming as storytelling, resistance, and unity. Audience clap-along.

Info: Fela Kuti’s influence on music, arts, media, and fashion.
○ Exploring Afrobeat’s impact across Hip-Hop, Jazz, Rock, Pop.
○ Fela as philosopher, activist, and cultural export.

Info: YINXDJINX mini-set: Afrobeat meets Drum and Bass

Info: From Lagos to Hull – How Music Festivals Build City Identity.
○ Festivals as tools for city branding, tourism, UNESCO aspirations.
○ Moderator: Hull Music Board rep.
○ Speakers: cultural leaders, tourism experts, industry professionals.

Info: Audience + panellists join Ajide for a participatory rhythm session. Break & Transition to PQ Event Space

Info: PQ Event Space

Info: DJ TeckZilla demonstrates Afrobeat production/DJing techniques.

Info: Live Afrobeat and Afro-fusion sets:
● Kayode Bamgbose
● Maka
● Kayefi ● Closing jam with all artistes + DJ Nas B, audience dancing into the night.

Host or Publisher TheGidiVibes™