Summer is coming, New York.
In anticipation of all the outdoor shows and late night blow we decided to round up all the concerts you need to know about from the likes of Femi Kuti, Wizkid, Davido, Mbongwana Star and more.
Check out the list below, which we'll keep updating as more shows are announced. Have fun out there.
May
5/26—Sinkane. The Sudanese-rooted Sinkane closes out his three week residency at Brooklyn’s Union Pool with special guest Ex Reyes. Tickets here.
5/31—Akoya Afrobeat. The Brooklyn-based band Akoya Afrobeat host the release show for their third LP, Under The Tree, alongside No Small Money Brass Band, and DJ Center at Baby’s All Right. Tickets here.
June
6/16—Baaba Maal & Lakou Mizik. Senegalese legend Baaba Maal recently the electronic Fulani rock album The Traveller and collaborated with Mumford & Sons. He’ll be joined by Haitian outfit Lakou Mizik at the Prospect Park Bandshell as part of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival. Free.
July
7/3—King Sunny Adé, Orlando Julius and the Afro Soundz, & Rich Medina. Nigeria’s highly-acclaimed King Sunny Adé brings his jùjú music to Central Park SummerStage. He’ll be joined by Orlando Julius, who laid down the groundwork for the popularization of ‘afropop,’ and Rich Medina, the DJ widely credited for spreading the sounds of afrobeat across NYC. Free.
7/15—Rachid Taha and Krar Collective. Algerian rock and raï star Rachid Taha plays Celebrate Brooklyn! alongside Krar Collective, who have been called “The Ethiopian White Stripes.” Free.
7/22—Wizkid, Davido, Stonebwoy, Diamond Platnumz, Flavour, Tiwa Savage, Iyanya, and Banky W. The Barclays Center will be hosting the all-star "One Africa Music Fest" concert featuring heavy-hitters like Wizkid, Davido, Stonebwoy, Diamond Platnumz and many more. The night will be hosted by Banky W and will be dedicated to help bring awareness for the “Bring Back Our Girls” campaign.Tickets.
7/23—Femi Kuti and Bombino.Femi Kuti is taking his father Fela’s afrobeat sound into the modern era. He’ll be playing Celebrate Brooklyn! alongside the hypnotizing Tuareg desert blues guitar of Bombino. Free.
7/27—Femi Kuti. Catch Femi’s electric live afrobeat set in an indoor and bowling-friendly setting as he headlines Brooklyn Bowl. Tickets.
7/29—Afrobeat x Afrobeats with Davido and Antibalas. Okayafrica will be hosting a show that bridges the gap between Fela’s afrobeat and modern afrobeats at Lincoln Center Out of Doors. The special night will feature performances from Nigerian superstar Davido, representing the afrobeats side, and NYC’s biggest afrobeat ensemble Antibalas. Tickets.
August
8/14—Mbongwana Star, Batida, Young Paris & Okayafrica Electrafrique feat. DJ Underdog. Okayafrica will be hosting a SummerStage show headlined by the modern Congolese rhythms of Mbongwana Star. The show will also feature the Angolan-Portuguese dance creations of Batida, Young Paris and DJ Underdog spinning as part of Okayafrica Electrafrique. Free.
8/17—Saul Williams. Saul Williams’ latest album Martyr Loser King presents a digital conversation between the street sounds of the First and Third Worlds through the lens of a fictional computer hacker from Burundi. He’ll bring his new tracks to Harlem's Marcus Garvey park alongside Kimberly Nichole. Free.
8/16—Alpha Blondy. Ivorian reggae star Alpha Blondy will be bringing his songs of freedom to Marcus Garvey park. Free.