Africa Oye 2019 - world music photography
Published on Mon Jul 1, 2019 by David J Colbran
Africa Oye is the UK's largest free African music festival and it just keeps getting better and better. It is an Oye Family now - a solid crew of management and trustees and an audience that knows how to party ! The committment to local traders and community groups is second to none and it shines a beacon against corporate sponsorship and heavy handed security. This year was the 27th annual Africa Oye festival - amazing !
The sun came out on Saturday, as did the crowds - really busy field. Sunday was a bit more hit and miss with the weather but still great fun and great music.
Personally, it's my favourite as well - brilliant world music to my doorstep.
I've been covering the event now for 14 years, ever since I moved to Liverpool and I supply images of the live acts to specialist agent ArenaPAL, where I have built up quite an extensive archive. Images have been licenced to a wide variety of national and international publications over the years - and fingers crossed this year's collection will do equally well over time.
Anyway on to a small selection of my favourites.
BCUC ; band from Soweto, South Africa ; at the Africa Oye Festival 2019, Liverpool, UK ; Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019 ; Credit: David J Colbran
CARLOU D ; Senegal Hip Hop, Sufi artist ; at the Africa Oye Festival 2019, Liverpool, UK ; Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019 ; Credit: David J Colbran
EMILY DUST ; UK DJ ; at the Africa Oye Festival 2019, Liverpool, UK ; Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019 ; Credit: David J Colbran
GASPER NALI ; Babatoni player from Malawi ; at the Africa Oye Festival 2019, Liverpool, UK ; Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019 ; Credit: David J Colbran
HORACE ANDY ; a Jamaican roots reggae artist ; at the Africa Oye Festival 2019, Liverpool, UK ; Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019 ; Credit: David J Colbran
JAH9 & THE DUB TREATMENT ; reggae artist from Jamaica ; at the Africa Oye Festival 2019, Liverpool, UK ; Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019 ; Credit: David J Colbran
MOONLIGHT BENJAMIN ; band from Haiti ; at the Africa Oye Festival 2019, Liverpool, UK ; Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019 ; Credit: David J Colbran
OSHUN ; Hip-Hop / Soul duo from the USA ; at the Africa Oye Festival 2019, Liverpool, UK ; Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019 ; Credit: David J Colbran
WESLI ; Wesley Louissaint, a Haitian Canadian musician ; at the Africa Oye Festival 2019, Liverpool, UK ; Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019 ; Credit: David J Colbran
Author: David J Colbran
- < Previous news post
- World music photographer for ArenaPAL Next news post >
- Liverpool prom photography
Recent photography work in Liverpool, Manchester and London
In the last few months, my camera has captured the energy, elegance, and essence of numerous events, from corporate gatherings to public relations campaigns, each presenting its unique challenges and opportunities. Here’s a look at some of my recent projects and how I’ve approached capturing these moments through my lens.
Aintree Grand National Liverpool PR Photographer 2025
Currently available to take on commissions for events, PR and celebrations at the Grand National meeting in Aintree 3rd to 5th April - get in touch ASAP - it is a very busy time for me and I get booked up quickly
Roy Ayers RIP
American vibraphonist, record producer and composer Roy Ayers has passed away aged 85 - RIP. I was lucky enough to see him perform three times. I raided the archive for some live images at Womad in 2009
"David is a very creative, imaginative photographer and shows great empathy with his subjects. These qualities certainly show in his work. I am very pleased to endorse him."
