African artists set to shine at Roskilde Festival 2025

South African artist Tyla, who had to cancel her 2024 performance due to illness, is poised to make a triumphant return. She will grace the festival’s iconic Orange Stage on 5 July, marking her debut Danish concert. Tyla’s performance is expected to deliver the genre’s signature blend of deep house, jazz, and lounge music, captivating audiences with her rhythmic prowess.

Africa Express, the genre-defying collective co-founded by Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn, will also feature prominently. Their performance on 5 July will showcase new compositions from their upcoming album Bahidorá, conceived in the Mexican jungle. The ensemble promises a unique blend of African, European, and American musical influences, featuring artists like Moonchild Sanelly, Joan As Police Woman, and Django Django.

Diverse African acts enrich the line-up

The festival’s commitment to African music is further evident in its diverse line-up:

Ngwaka Son Système (DRC)

Known for transforming everyday objects into musical instruments, this Congolese band offers a raw fusion of traditional rhythms, dub, and techno.

Kwashibu Area Band (Ghana)

Founded by Kwame Yeboah and Ben Abarbanel-Wolffhar, the band bridges highlife traditions with modern Afrobeat, featuring collaborations with legends like Pat Thomas.

Arsenal Mikebe (Uganda)

This trio from Kampala merges organic drumming with electronic sounds, creating a hand-played techno experience that’s both auditory and visual.

Essy Tadesse (Ethiopia/USA)

Los Angeles-based Etsegenet Mekonnem delves into Ethiopian musical traditions, blending trance-inducing guitar meditations with soulful vocals.

Baloji (DRC/Belgium)

A multifaceted artist, Baloji combines rap, Afrobeat, and Congolese grooves, reflecting his rich cultural heritage.

Nana Benz du Togo (Togo)

This quintet infuses traditional polyrhythms and voodoo-inspired chants with electronic grooves, presenting a unique eco-feminist musical expression.

Major League DJz (South Africa)

Twin brothers Banele and Bandile Mbere are global ambassadors of Amapiano, bringing South African house-inspired rhythms to international stages.

Al Bilali Soudan (Mali)

Hailing from Timbuktu, this ensemble offers a folk-oriented take on Tuareg music, rich in repetitive progressions and trance-inducing drums.

Nadah El Shazly (Egypt)

A leading voice in experimental Arabic music, she blends electronics, jazz, and Middle Eastern sounds, creating a lush auditory experience.

Qing Madi (Nigeria)

A teenage prodigy, Qing Madi combines Afrobeats and R&B, showcasing her songwriting prowess and captivating vocals.

Oxlade (Nigeria)

With his debut album OFA (Oxlade From Africa), he delivers a pan-African musical party, blending pop, R&B, and Afrobeats.