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The UK’s biggest festival of African music and culture defied the weather over the weekend to stage The Africa Oye Block Party in Liverpool city-centre venues.
Due to adverse weather conditions causing the festival site to be deemed unfit for the stage to be constructed upon as well as unsafe for thousands of people to convene upon over two days, Africa Oye was forced to cancel its original plans for its 20th Anniversary festival.
Undeterred, the festival organisers worked around the clock to organise events at The Picket and The Blade Factory at Camp & Furnace in the centre of Liverpool which included not only stalls and DJ sets but the entire line-up of acts that was originally scheduled to play the Saturday of the festival.
Paul Duhaney, Festival Director said, “It shows how we all pull together in times of crisis in this city.
“There are some who find it difficult to accept that the festival in the park was cancelled but I reitarate that we had no other option.
“Naturally we were all devastated that the festival was cancelled for the first time in 20 years and we apologise to everyone who was affected, but the health and safety of all attendees is paramount and I would rather it not happen than somebody get seriously hurt or injured.
“Thank you so much to everyone who came to Saturday’s event at The Picket which was amazing and to those who have supported us with good will messages during these difficult times. Thanks especially to The Picket, Camp & Furnace and The Blade Factory for giving us their venues at short notice and the many offers of help from venues and promoters all over the city.
“Africa Oye would finally like to thank everyone who changed their plans and attended the event at such short notice. Your support has been amazing.”