Africa Oye 2014

Sefton Park, Liverpool
21st - 22nd June 2014

Review and photographs by Colin Serjent

The sun had its hat firmly on during the festival, helping to attract record crowds to Sefton Park, to what is the UK's biggest and free annual celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture.

The organisers estimate that between 70,000 and 80,000 attended over the two days.

Africa Oye Artistic Director Paul Duhaney said that this year's festival was "beyond his wildest dreams."

it was the first year since Oye's founder Kenny Murray retired from the organisation and handed over control to long serving colleague Duhaney.

"Few would have imagined that Kenny would succeed in building an annual celebration of African music that is now the biggest of its kind in the country." Duhaney said. "We dedicated Oye 2014 to this unique man whose 'crazy dream' has become this amazing reality."

As well as a diverse range of live music, there were 80 plus stalls selling, often very beautiful, arts and crafts items; various workshops, in which people learnt skills in music, dance, percussion and singing; together with various types of exotic foods. One disagreeable aspect of the food on offer, however, was the sale of crocodile, kangaroo and goat meat. The only bum note of a magical weekend.

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