AFROSOUL is crossing the Tasman for the first time. After launching in New Zealand last year with Burna Boy at the top of the bill, the festival will expand to Australia in 2026, bringing a day-long celebration of African music, food, dance and culture to Brisbane\u2019s Eatons Hill on October 11.<\/p>\n
Founded by Nigerian-New Zealand UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and entertainment entrepreneur Mitch Lowe, AFROSOUL has quickly established itself as a festival designed to celebrate the breadth of African culture while welcoming audiences well beyond the African diaspora. Before arriving in Brisbane, the festival will return to Auckland\u2019s GO Media Stadium on October 10.<\/p>\n
The inaugural Australian lineup reflects the global reach of contemporary Afrobeats. Nigerian stars Fireboy DML and Omah Lay headline alongside Grammy-winning producer Timbaland, whose influence stretches across three decades of pop, hip hop and R&B through landmark collaborations with Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, Beyonc\u00e9, Jay-Z and Nelly Furtado.<\/p>\n
Fireboy DML arrives as one of Afrobeats\u2019 most recognisable modern voices, following international success with albums\u00a0Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps,\u00a0Apollo\u00a0and\u00a0Playboy, as well as his global hit \u2018Peru\u2019 featuring Ed Sheeran. Joining him is Omah Lay, whose introspective songwriting and breakout\u00a0Get Layd\u00a0EP helped establish him as one of Nigeria\u2019s most compelling new artists before the release of his acclaimed debut album\u00a0Boy Alone.<\/p>\n
The lineup continues with British rapper and dancehall artist Stefflon Don, Jamaican reggae and dancehall favourite Kranium, influential British-Ghanaian producer Juls, UK garage pioneer Donae\u2019o and renowned dance crew Jabbawockeez, whose performances have taken them from MTV\u2019s\u00a0America\u2019s Best Dance Crew\u00a0to long-running Las Vegas residencies.<\/p>\n
Representing Australia and New Zealand are acclaimed New Zealand rapper JessB, appearing exclusively at the Australian edition of AFROSOUL, alongside Australian Afropop artist Adrien Dzvuke, British-Nigerian DJ and producer ADECHOON, Jerry C and Brisbane favourite DJ K-Time.<\/p>\n
Beyond the music, AFROSOUL promises an immersive cultural experience with African cuisine, fashion, art, dance competitions, roaming performers and wellness activations spread throughout the festival grounds. Rather than simply presenting a concert, the event aims to showcase the diversity of African cultures through music, food and community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started off local, now we\u2019re going global,\u201d says co-founder Israel Adesanya. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing quite like the energy felt at AFROSOUL. The sights, sounds, tastes and movement come together to share a true slice of Africa, all on the other side of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
With its move into Australia, AFROSOUL joins a growing number of festivals reflecting the global rise of Afrobeats, bringing one of the genre\u2019s strongest lineups yet to Australian audiences this October.<\/p>\n