Felabration 2025 in Hull: Shakara – Bold Expressions of Afrobeat

Felabration 2025 in Hull: Shakara – Bold Expressions of Afrobeat

By TheGidiVibes™

Black History Month in Hull comes alive with panels, exhibitions, and a night of Afrobeat music celebrating Fela Kuti’s legacy.

Date and time

Location

Ferens Art Gallery

Carr Lane Kingston upon Hull HU1 3RA United Kingdom

Agenda

9:30 AM

Morning – Exhibition & Heritage


Wilberforce House Museum

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Registration & Welcome


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

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Networking Tea Break


Light refreshments, informal artist/festival meet & greet.

12:00 PM

Afternoon – Thought Leadership & Rhythm


Ferens Art Gallery

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Registration & Re-Opening


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

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Opening Ceremony


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

10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Exhibition Opening

Rikki Stein

Abolore Sobayo

Rayh Mohammed


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 rea...

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Keynote Address

Gui Morais


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

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Interlude – Rhythm of Resistance

Ajide Adeyemi


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

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Panel Session 1 – Legacy Focus

Lolade

Rikki Stein


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.

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Interlude – Afrobeat Rhythms

YINXDJINX


YINXDJINX mini-set: Afrobeat meets Drum and Bass

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Panel Session 2 – City Identity


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, tou...

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Closing Drum Circle

Ajide Adeyemi


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

5:00 PM

Evening – Sauti Session Live Music & Jam


PQ Event Space

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Afrobeat Workshop Showcase

DJ TeckZilla


DJ TeckZilla demonstrates Afrobeat production/DJing techniques.

6:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Concert & Jam Session

Kayefi

Maka

Nas B


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

Good to know

Highlights

  • 13 hours 30 minutes
  • In person

Refund Policy

No refunds

About this event

Music • World

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.

Organized by

TheGidiVibes™

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£0 – £9.38
Oct 18 · 10:00 AM GMT+1