Felabration 2025 in Hull: Shakara – Bold Expressions of Afrobeat

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

About this Event

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.

Agenda


🕑: 09:30 AM
Morning – Exhibition & Heritage

Info: Wilberforce House Museum

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Registration & Welcome

Info: Guest check-in, distribution of festival programme.

Afrobeat playlist + visuals to set the mood.

🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Networking Tea Break

Info: Light refreshments, informal artist/festival meet & greet.

🕑: 12:00 PM
Afternoon – Thought Leadership & Rhythm

Info: Ferens Art Gallery

🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Registration & Re-Opening

Info: Guest check-in for the afternoon programme.

Afrobeat playlist + visuals setting the tone.

🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Opening Ceremony

Info: Welcome by organisers.

Short film: Scenes from Finding Fela!

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Exhibition Opening
Host: Rikki Stein

Info: 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 reading: Moving Music: The Memoirs of Rikki Stein (by Rikki Stein).

🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Keynote Address
Host: Gui Morais

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

🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Interlude – Rhythm of Resistance
Host: Ajide Adeyemi

Info: Live drumming interlude with Ajide Adeyemi.

Theme: Drumming as storytelling, resistance, and unity. Audience clap-along.

🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Panel Session 1 – Legacy Focus
Host: Lolade

Info: 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.

🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Interlude – Afrobeat Rhythms
Host: YINXDJINX

Info: YINXDJINX mini-set: Afrobeat meets Drum and Bass

🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Panel Session 2 – City Identity

Info: 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, tourism experts, industry professionals.

🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Closing Drum Circle
Host: Ajide Adeyemi

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

🕑: 05:00 PM
Evening – Sauti Session Live Music & Jam

Info: PQ Event Space

🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM
Afrobeat Workshop Showcase
Host: DJ TeckZilla

Info: DJ TeckZilla demonstrates Afrobeat production/DJing techniques.

🕑: 06:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Concert & Jam Session
Host: Kayefi

Info: Live Afrobeat and Afro-fusion sets:

● Kayode Bamgbose

● Maka

● Kayefi ● Closing jam with all artistes + DJ Nas B, audience dancing into the night.

Also check out other Music events in Kingston Upon Hull, Entertainment events in Kingston Upon Hull, Festivals in Kingston Upon Hull.