Permission requested to use information and photographs from the http://www.bbc.co.uk

After a decade of bringing the rhythm and beats of Africa to Liverpool, Africa Oye 2003 is set to be the biggest and best festival yet with more acts, performances and venues than ever before. The festival will welcome over 100 performers from 14 different counties with Headline acts; South African superstars 'The Soul Brothers and Mighty Zulu Nation', reggae legends 'Morgan Family Heritage' and the 'Gangbe Brass Band' from Benin.

Mabulu
Oye 2003 will take place in 13 venues including some of Liverpool's most iconic landmarks, the Albert Dock and Sefton Park Palm House. For the first time this year Africa Oye will be going 'downtown' with performances in some of Liverpool's most popular bars, clubs and cultural centres, including Modo, 3345 and Bluecoat Gardens.

Local schools will also host workshop performances, with musicians introducing local children to African music and culture. One of the highlights of the festival is a group of schoolchildren from Lesotho who will perform using instruments made out of rubbish including, tin boxes, old canvas and floorboards.

Africa Oye will also incorporate the UK leg of La Fete de la Musique - European Music Day.
La Fete takes place in Liverpool's Concert Square and will feature urban music from the UK, the USA, France and Lebanon and hip-hop from Liverpool's legendary club, 'No Fakin'.

Brother Resistance
The grand finale of the festival will be a traditional family day in Sefton Park on Sunday 22nd June with 8 hours of live music. Over 20,000 people are expected to attend the 'Picnic in the Park' event which will include Oye community tents offering African food, arts and activities.

Africa Oye director, Kenny Murray, said " The 2003 line up is absolutely mind-boggling with 37 performances being squeezed into just 14 days, this year's festival has something for everyone, and it's packed with quality. Africa Oye isn't just about world music, it's about world-class music."

Information and photographs compliments of the http://www.bbc.co.uk

Contact Tumi Music for further information and bookings for the Africa OyeFestival,The Triangle, Manchester on June 20th 2004.

Music of the Islands