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Sfinks Festival

Sfinks is a global pop festival that annually takes place in Boechout, Belgium, a village southeast of Antwerp. The first edition dates back to 1976. The festival usually takes place on the last weekend of July. Since 2023, Sfinks has been organizing two festivals: the one-day festival "Sfinks Mundial" in May, and the four-day festival "Sfinks Mixed" in July.

Both festivals are free and focus on sustainability, accessibility, gender equality, and safety for everyone.

Etymology

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The name Sfinks comes from the two stone sphinxes in the park of Sint-Gabriëlcollege, where the festival used to take place.

History

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In its early years, Sfinks focused on folk music. It mainly featured Anglo-Saxon groups, such as the Irish band Clannad. From 1982 onwards, it slowly grew into the world music festival it is today. Youssou N'Dour, Cheb Khaled, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, among others, performed in Boechout during this period.

In 1994, the festival moved to a larger site, the Molenveld. By then, it had grown into a four-day event with more stages and a more diverse program. In 2008, Sfinks was reduced to three days and the name of the festival was changed to Sfinks Mixed. In addition to music, theater, circus and comedy acts were also programmed for the first time.

In 2013, Sfinks faced financial difficulties due to the loss of government subsidies. In response to these changes, it was decided to implement some drastic changes: admission was made free and the duration of the festival was increased by one day. The organizers hoped that this would attract a larger audience.

Secondary activities

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The Sfinks organization is also responsible for programming "de Zomer van Antwerpen" (The Summer of Antwerp); two months of theater, music, film, and dance at various locations in Antwerp. It also coordinates the European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals, a network of 46 festivals in 18 European countries. And they collaborate aswell with the annual Festival au Désert, held every January in Mali.

Line-up

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1976

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Jesse Winchester & Band, Garden, 5th Ball Gang, Mmmm, Lieven, Recompensa

1977

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Brenda Wootton, Swan Arcade, Battle Field band

1978

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De Snaar, John Kirkpatrick & Sue Harris, La Romanderie

1979

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Wannes Van De Velde, Clannad, John Renbourn

1980

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Vermenton Plage, The McCalmans, Marie Jeanne Tellez, Arthus, Fiddle Feaver, Rum, Aristide Padygros, Stockton's Wing, Fran O'Rourke, Trol, Ossian, Bob Frank en Zussen, Brenda Wootton, Angélique Ionatos, Nino de San Andres y sus Flamenco Orkestra, Rocking Dopsie & The Cajun Twisters

1981

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Cromlech, Samboa, Paula Lockheart, Le Quator, André Bialek, Queen Ida & Le Bon Temps, Mandanga, Canto Libre, Carlos Andreu, Akka, Bonga, Juan Jose Mosalini Y Su Gran Orchestra De Tango, Vizönto and Deka

1982

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Super Combo Créole, Big Bamboo Calypso Band, Lazare Kenmenge, Sacy Perere, Bovick and Partners, Koko Taylor Blues Machine, Makam es Kolinda, Toto Guillaume, Francis Bebey, Manu Dibango, Azuquita y Su Melao

1983

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Bula Sangoma, Los Salseros, Francis Bebey Quartet, Xalam, Tito Puente, Dudu Pukwana, Lembá, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Abdullah Ibrahim and Touré Kunda

1984

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-> Sfinks introduces a new stage (the Tent Stage)

Andy Narell, Idir, Mongo Santa María, Franco et le T.P.O.K. Jazz, Machitún, El Kholoud, Baklava, Ekomé Dance Co., Fawzy Al Aïedy, Sun Ra Arkestra, Orchestre Jazira, Malembe, Lamogoya, Original Bushtown Rumours

1985

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Somo Somo, Zazou & Bikaye, Joia, Astor Piazzolla, JR Walker & the All Stars, Mashenka, Thoko Mdlalose, Paulinho Ramos, DjurDjura, Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited, Revanche, The Lounge Lizzards

1986

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Claudy & Co, Carte de Séjour, Don Cherry Quintet, Working Week, Tania Maria, The Skyblasters, Eko Kuango, Desmond Dekker, Mahmoud Ahmed ft Neway Debebe & The Roha Band, Carmel, Youssou N'Dour, Kabbala and Waka Wakah

1987

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Sahl'omon, Lee Perry & The Upsetters, The Real Sounds of Africa, Gil Scott-Heron, Gilberto Gil, Macoubary, Zeebra, Flaco Jiménez su Conjunto, Courtney Pine Quartet, Gonzalo Rubalcaba y su grupo projecto, Kaba Mane, Toots & The Maytalls and Kalabash

1988

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Ramiro Naka & N'Kassa Cobra, Andy Sheppard Quintet, David Rudder & Charly's Roots, Nina Simone, Thione Seck & Le Raam Daan, Shalawambe, S. E. Rogie, Toumani Diabate-Ketama ft Danny Thompson, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abdel Aziz El Mubarak, Alpha Blondy & The Solar System, Yemaya and Ali Farka Touré

1989

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Gilberto Gil, Umbelina, Pardesi Music Machine, King Sunny Adé, Remmy Ongala & Orchestre Matimila, Cheb Khaled, Panache Culture, Trilok Gurtu, Les Musiciens du Nile, Kristi Rose & The Midnight Walkers, Papa Wemba, Zouk Machine and Chi-Kin-Chee & Akwaaba

1990

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Irshad Khan, Toto Bissainthe, Chaba Djena, Les Têtes Brulées, Les Négresses Vertes, Princesse Mansia M'Bila, Sido ft Tamba Kumba, Jemaa, Najma Akhtar, Ivo Papazov & His Bulgarian Wedding Orchestra and Mexe Com Tudo

1991

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Hossan Ramzy, Caramusa, Super Diamono de Dakar, Aster Aweke, Femi Anikulapo ft Kuti, Mav Cacharel, Xiomara Fortuna & ses Kaliumbe, Seckou & Ramata, the Rebirth Brass Band, Farafina, Sapho, Rubén Blades and Zekle

1992

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Taraf de Haïdouks, Staatskoor van de Bulgaarse radio en televisie, Anoosh, Donke, Marisa Monte, Wallias Band, Los Reyes, Fuzue, Stella Rambisai Chiwese and The Earthquake Band, Eduardo Muniz, La Kumpania Zelwer, Lili Boniche, Orchestre Anti Choc de Bozi, Boziana, Olodum, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Paulus Damenië & Band and Phantoms

1993

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Donnisulana, Karoline Zaidline, Amiina, Ritos, Sarband, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party, Abana Ba Nasery, Lokua Kanza, Jean Emilien, Ghorwane, Classic Swede Swede, Ara Ketu, Les Amazones de Guinée, Donn Pullen's Afro Brazilian Connection, Bauls, Hedningarna, Los Van Van, Barrister, Fabulous Trobadors, Joji Hirota, Julie Mourillon, Molequa de Rua, Mouth Music, Ali Hassan Kuban, Reconciliation, Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble, Zap Mama, Super Rail Band de Bamako and Ray Lema et les voix Bulgares de l'ensemble Pirin

1994

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N'Java, Simentera, Lo'Jo Triban, Transglobal Underground, Jah Wobble & The Invaders of the Heart, Ngaari Laaw, N'Java, Gary Thomas & Hossam Ramzy, Simentera, Gitans ft Thierry Robin, The Last Poets, Aziza Mustafa Zadeh, Baaba Maal, Tierra Caliente, Snowboy, N'Dai N'Dai, Cheb Mami, Les Quatre Étoiles, Psamim, Gulabo Sapera, Tammurriata Di Scafati, A Filetta, Tuareg Bali, Juan Jose Mosalini Y Su Gran Orchestra De Tango, Cheb Khaled, I Muvrini, Lo'Jo Triban, The Klezmatics, The Western Diamonds, Papa Jube & The Jubelation Band, The Academy Brass Band and Kočani Orkestar

1995

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Ang Grupong Pendong, Gary Thomas & Hossam Ramzy, Mandé Foli, Youssou N'Dour, Sangit, Tuu, Yat-Kha, Patrick Persée, Balanescu Quartet, Lotfi Bouchnak & Ensemble Al Kindi, Ali Farka Touré, Master Musicians of Jajouka, Mandé Foli, Totó la Momposina, Prophets of Da City, Granmoun Léle, Remmy Ongala & Orchestre Super Matimila, Fanfare Jaïpur, Lulendo, Aurora Moreno, Eric Marchand et Le Taraf de Caransebeş, Mynta, Les Grand-Mères de Djanet, Sabri Brothers, Remmy Ongala & Totó la Momposina, Manu Dibango's Wakafrika Project ft Ray Lema & Mory Kanté & Bonga, Habib Koité et Bamada, Chico Science & Nação Zumbi and Papa Wemba

1996

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Danyèl Waro, La Vieja Trova, Mestre Ambrosio, Genetic Drugs ft Karma Club, Yawar, Cesária Évora, La Vieja Trova, Kayo Fujino, Langa, Luzmila Carpio y sus Llaqtamasikuna, Noche Flamenco, Kangaroo Moon, The Bollywood Band, Danyèl Waro, Up, Bustle and Out, Chaba Fadela & Cheb Sahraoui, Kanda Bongo Man, Tenores di Bitti, Hukwe Zawose & Wagogo Woman Drummers and Dancers, Banyumas Bamboo, Zehava Ben, Mighty Sparrow, Crocodile Style & Yawar, Iwakichi & Noriko Yamashita, Ekova, Yungchen Lhamo, Te Ava Piti, Ferus Mustafov, Mestre Ambrosio, Jaojoby, Mama Ohandja, Detrimental, Malouma Mint Meideh, Flamenco de Jerez, Yulduz Usmonova and Marzieh

1997

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Los Activos, Lunar Drive, Sally Nyolo, Tambours Sacrés, Voces Del Al-Andalus, Daniel Abebe, Ailanis, Ensemble Mzetamze, Didg Trio ft. Gary Thomas & Alan Dargin & Phillip Peris, Musafir, Lunar Drive, Gil & The Perfects, Sierra Maestra, The Asian Equation, Angélique Kidjo, Diblo Dibala & Matchatcha, D'Gary, Sékouba Bambino Diabate, Enrique Morento Y Gruppo, Amampondo, Carlinhos Brown, Tchota Suari & Antoni Sanches, Alla, Matlubeh, Sam Mangwana, Los Activos, Ouza Diallo, Sally Nyolo, Anastasia, Cándido Fabré, Psarantonis, Te Vaka, Emil Zrihan & the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra, Natacha Atlas and Radio Tarifa

1998

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Nēnēs, Zarboutan, Combays, Daúde, Jorge Ben Jor, Maracuta Naçao Pernambuco, Zarboutan, Jimi Mbaye, La Familia Valera Miranda, Avaton, Kadda Cherif Hadria, Monique Séka, Bulgarka Junior ft Ivan Lantos & Missa Primi Toni, Moriba Koita, Shahram Nazeri & Ensemble Dastan, Isabel Bayón, Nēnēs, Tartit, La Charanga Habanera, Wimme, Extra Musica, Gnawa 'Lila', Combays, Ismael Rudas & Daniel Celedon, Sawt El Atlas, Africando, Musa Dieng Kala, Susana Baca, Ismael Rudas & Daniel Celedon, Liu Sola, Nahawa Doumbia, Xu Chao Minh, Musa Dieng Kala, Massa Konate, Liu Sola, Didges ft. Gary Thomas & Alan Dargin & Mark Atkins, Susana Baca, Likembe Geant and Eleftheria Arvanitaki

1999

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Leilía, Swédé Lokelé, Bagunçaço, Brotherhood of Brass, Trip do Brasil, Mahnimal, El Hadj N'Diaye, Teófilo Chantre, Alim Qasimov, Belén Maya & Mayte Martín, Sahraouis, Swédé Lokelé, Abdel Ali Slimani, Frédéric Galliano & Néba Solo, Super Cayor De Dakar, Bloque (band), Empire Bakuba, DJ Jungle Jazz, Manos Achalinotopoulos, Urna, La Banda Municipale de Santiago de Cuba, Sertab Erener, Alfredo de la Fé, Dhol Foundation, El Hadj N'Diaye, RDB, Black Star Liner, Dj Master Volume, Dj Ritu, DJ Aki, Joi, The Saint Nicholas Orchestra, The Farlanders, Aterciopelados, Brother Resistance & Rapso Riddum, Mamar Kassey, Jigme Drukpa, Abed Azrié (Suerte), Camerata Romeu, DJ Timmax, Melina Kana & Ashkabad, Leilía, Pact, Sheikh Yasîn Al-Tuhâmi, DJ Cheb i Sabbah, Amadou & Mariam, Sidestepper, DJ Armand, Ashkabad and Hypnotix

2013

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Concert tent: The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Dakhabrakha, Akua Naru, Che Sudaka, Buscemi, Daniel Haaksman Xamanek, Gaby Amarantos, Batucada Sound Machine, Ky-Mani-Marley, Civalizee Foundation, Dj Babybang, Salam Musik, Azalai Project, Guido Belcanto, Terakaft, Gaby Amartontos, Turntable Dubbers, mps PILOT, Coely, The Flexican ft. MC Sef, Captain Steel, Kapitein Winokio, Sana Bob, Lindigo, Ricardo Lemvo & El Bataillon De La Rumba, Clement Peerens Explosition (CPeX)

2014

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Vroink, Amigos, De Piepkes, Radio Oorwoud, Leki, Palenke Soultribe, Jupiter & Okwess International, Orquesta Aragon, Discobar Galaxie, Tinariwen, Flip Kowlier, Binti, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, Boddhi Satva, Karol Conka, Lady S., Lefto, Dj Marfox, Broukar,...

2015

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Los De Abajo, Uproot Andy, Fresku, Jan Leyers, Merdan Taplak, Mr. Fuzz, Mystique, Omulu, Cheikh Lo, Slongs Dievanongs, Discobaar A Moeder, The Flexican ft. Mc Sef, Cookachoo, Zwartwerk, Bunny Wailer, Mashrou Leila, Nomobs, Fs Green & Mc Fit, Dj Satelite, Dj Ike, Olcay Bayir, Noreum Machi, Lady S, Ferro Gaita, Bart Peeters, Nidia Minaj, Pablo Fierro, Bossa Negra, Bachar Mar-Khalifé

2016

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Barrio Lindo, Freddie Mc Gregor, Heinz Baut, KarKarKar, Kel Assouf, Papa Mojito, Positive Sound Soldier, Rachid Taha, Sven Van Hees, Wesli, Young Gum Superior, Abder, Bambou Negro, Buscemi, Dj Firmeza, Ertebrekers, Selector Matanzas, Tsiganisation Project, U Percutirlos, Blick Bassy, Broederliefde, Den Sorte Skole, Doylu, Ephiniko, Esteban Murillo & Marisol, Gan Gah, Jesse Royal, Junior Goodfellas, Kasba, Makazi, Manu Dibango, Masai, Osei Bantu, Raion Martirò, Renato Baccarat & UTZ, Roland, Savane, Sol Del Nene, Subtronics, Bibi Seck, Bora?, Borokov, Deltas, Elida Almeida, Fornication Hifi, Guido Belcanto, Khaira Arby, Marcia Griffiths, Mensch erger je niet, Noura Mint, Radio oorwoud, Tigana Santana, Troitsa, Vardan Emre

2017

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Mariachi Reloaded, Aurelio, Boef, La-33, Ali Farka Touré Band, Soufiane Eddyani, Clam, TLP, Soul Shakers, Primos Del Norte ft. Jorinde Cielen, Moon gogo, Gongmyoung, Lucibela, Khan Bogd, Villa Diamante, Nonkel Guy, Lady S B22B Dany Neville, Supafly Collective, Godwonder, Livitones, Hearthmann & Rose, Coucious BE + MC, Puppa Mighty's Super Power, Les Mamas, Papa Mojito, Khan Bogd, Bakra Bike Soundsystem, Radio Oorwoud, Zina Daoudia, 47 Soul, Cléu, Eliades Ochoa & Cuarteto Patria, Toko Telo, Maya Youssef, Rajab Suleiman & Kithara, Zhou Family Band, Abena, Matrub, DJ Team Gomoris, Dubfront & Onda Sonora, High'r Ites & Marie, Banka Bike Soundsystem, Refugees for Refugees, Wally, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Labels, Merdan Taplak, DTM Funk, Liyo, Princess Flor, Simon Hold, Foozen Ken, Txarango, Inner Circle, Panache culture, CinCity, Skillzington, Black Mamba, Ari3sj, Pikaman & MC Dhazed, 18 inch

2018

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Zap Mama, Oumou Sangaré, Sona Jobarteh, Totó la Momposina, Julian Marley, Zee Avi, Lucibela, Doctor Prats, Asmâa Hamzaoui, Dj Nuri, Aeham Ahmad, Inveside, Papa Mojito, New York Salsa All Stars, Sayon Bamba, The Grey Stars, Lorena Nunes

2019

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Antwerp All Star Band, Baloji, Bankra Bike Soundsystem, Cirque Tango, Daniel Toja, DJ Kobalt, Jali Madi, Kevin Kofii, Les Tambours Sacré, Lila Iké, Dj Pö, Tássia Reis, Tropkillaz, Chicos y Mendez, Faisal, Gnawa Diffusion, Habib Koite, Hibotep, Slongs, Sumac Dub, Abena, Alexander Abreu, Anais B, Catu Diosis, Esinam, Khadija Bidaouia, Kristel, Laurence Revey, Leki, Leo Justy, Mercedes Peon, Million Stylez, Nafthaly Ramona, Negresses Vertes, Nitsa, Rabba, The Tune, Dimitri Leue, Wael Alkak, Anthony B, Astghiks Snetunts, Emily Dust, Feniks Taiko, High Grade Sound, Jovenes Classicos del son, Lister, Manou Gallo, Moh!Kouyaté, Orchestra Baobab, Radio Oorwoud, Tartitt

2020

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Cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

2021

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MISST, Feniks Taiko, Mayo Rivera & Connexion Cubana, Tomi Y Su TimbaLight, Papa Mojito, De Notengalm Boechout, Los Guapos del Ritmo + Salsa Relevaron, Moving Forward Dance Co, Slongs, Manou Gallo, Zap Mama, Kumbia Boruka, Black Koyo, De KetnetBand, Jamaican Jazz Orchestra, The Grey Stars, Rumbaristas, Elida Almeida, Elin Valery, Los Zaperos, 't Akkoord + Majoretski, Kapitein Winokio, Skala B, Jaouad, Rootsriders, La Fanfarria Del Capitan, Dj Kisa, Dj Womad, Murga Agrum, The Bracket Percussion Ensemble, Teatro Pavana

2022

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Sfinks organises a smaller- scale edition featuring only outdoor stages, due to COVID-19.

Concert stage Clubkiosk The Urban Mad Site
Bamba Wassoulou Groove Alostmen Assia mk ft MC Rim Black Koyo
Bonga Aurélie Dorzée & Tom Theuns Catu Diosis Cie Monad - Yin Zéro
Chouk Bwa & Angströmers Bijlmer Steelband Danykas DJ Forefote
De KetnetBand Chapulines Dj Abena Humanity Brassband
Eliades Ochoa - Star of Buena Vista Social Club Dabke Love Dj Satelite Papa Mojito
Elin Valery ESINAM Dj Shar Perez
Julian Marley Etran de L'Aïr Dj-Lister
Lady S Flor de Toloache High Grade Sound
Las Karamba Motilonas Rap HotLiBBS
Les Amazones d'Afrique Nicolas Mortelmans Kay C
Mokoomba Senny Camara Manz
Pamela Badjogo TomBack Marielou
Puri Voice Your Diversity Motie van Wanvrouwen
Radio Oorwoud ZEM Ninette
Septeto Santiaguero SAHRA
Soul Shakers Stranger Souma
Star Feminine Band
Tabanka
Taraf de Caliu
The Garifuna Collective

2023

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Concert stage Clubkiosk The Urban Mad Site
Aboubakar Traoré & Balima Alba Carmona A Slay Black Victorians door Jeanefer Jean-Charles
Adédèji Ana Carla Maza Abena Dieudonné Fokou
Bab L'Bluz Dobrila & Dorian duo Bona Léa Papa Mojito
Bart Peeters & De Ideale Mannen Imane Guemssy & Tiganwa Clara!
David Calzado y su Charanga Habanera Madalitso Band Dj MIMI
Dj Kisa Meral Polat trio Kawtar Sadik
Emicida Suonno d'Ajere Lady S
Johnny Den Artiest & Asham band Widad Mjama & Khalil Epi: aita mon amour Mama OD
K.ZIA Zo! Gospel Choir MILINGUAP
Kader Tarhanine Monicashflow
KD Soundsystem Moreny
Orkestra Braka Kadrievi Ninette
ROBIN ROXETTE Raql
Rodrigo Cuevas Rockefellababe
Sahad VON DI
Salif Keïta
Son Rompe Pera
Tanya Stephens
Teófilo Chantre
Yemi Alade

2024

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Concert stage Clubkiosk The Urban Mad Site
Andy Mwag Alexandra Archetti & Steinar Raknes Amazonika Harmony's Brass Band
Black Uhuru Bertânia Almeida Batekoo Papa Mojito
Calle Mambo Harmony's brass band Bo Meng Stephen & Fiora - Acrocordion
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek Magou Samb & Raphaële Murer Brooke Bailey
Dj lister Nicolas Mortelmans Quartet Catu Diosis
Dj Sahra nuMori Coco em
Dobet Gnahoré Pankisi Ensemble DJ Morena
Elin Valery Sauljaljui Dj-Lister
iLe Siti and the band Metralleta Dj
K.Zia & Zap Marie Miss Mak
Kalascima NC
Kapitein Winokio Queenteiro
La-33 Rrita Jashari
Margareth Menezes Shar Perez
Maya Kamaty Shug La Sheedah
Moonlight Benjamin Soumeya Dj
Nina Ogot
Tarwa N-Tiniri
The Leila
WahWahsda

2025

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Concert stage Clubkiosk The Urban Mad Site
47Soul Barrut AiiRA MORENA Afrokata
Bombino Bia Ferreira Brooke x Taliyah Cie Amoukanama – Trio Limaniya
Boule Mpanya Ensemble Chakâm Dj Abena Livia Mattos
Buscemi Esinam & Sibusile Xaba Dj Lisa Papa Mojito
Dj Kisa Mandé Sila featuring Habib Koité, Aly Keïta, Lamine Cissokho, Mama Koné DJ Lister
Fela Kuti Celebration Band Mariaa Siga Dj Moreny
Isam Elias Noura Mint Seymali dj Nimbah Naye
Issac Delgado Saad Tiouly DJ Noahh
Kader Tarhanine Siân Pottok DJ Sahra
Kapitein Winokio FVTMV
Ky-Mani Marley Monicashflow
La Fanfarria del Capitan NC
Livia Mattos Queen Honey B
Omar Pene & Super Diamono de Dakar Rokia Bamba
Outlet Drift Rose Lea
Queralt Lahoz Shar Pérez
Sona Jobarteh
Tasuta N-Imal
Think Of One
Tribute to Max Romeo
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51°09′43″N 4°29′35″E / 51.162°N 4.493°E / 51.162; 4.493