Roskilde Festival, Northern Europe’s largest music event, is turning the spotlight on Africa in a major way for its 2025 edition, running from June 28 to July 5. Known for its bold and inclusive programming, this year’s line-up reinforces Roskilde’s global outlook, offering a strong representation of African talent across genres and generations.
Tyla’s Big Comeback
All eyes are on South African star Tyla, who is set to make her Danish debut after pulling out of the 2024 edition due to illness. She’ll command the legendary Orange Stage on July 5 with her unique blend of deep house, jazz, and lounge-infused sounds. With her growing international acclaim, Tyla’s set is one of the most anticipated of the festival.
Africa Express Returns With New Sound
Also performing on July 5 is Africa Express, the genre-defying collective co-founded by Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz fame. Their Roskilde set will unveil tracks from their upcoming album Bahidorá, written in the heart of the Mexican jungle. With names like Moonchild Sanelly, Joan As Police Woman, and Django Django joining in, expect a genre-hopping performance that fuses African, American, and European influences.
A Bold Line-up of African Talent
Beyond the headliners, Roskilde 2025 will feature a rich selection of African and Afro-diasporic voices, each offering something unique:
Ngwaka Son Système from the Democratic Republic of Congo is known for crafting instruments from everyday objects, delivering gritty sounds laced with dub, techno, and traditional rhythm.
Kwashibu Area Band from Ghana, co-founded by Kwame Yeboah, blends highlife with Afrobeat and features collaborations with icons like Pat Thomas.
Arsenal Mikebe from Uganda is a Kampala-based trio creating a live techno experience with hand-played drums and electronic textures.
Essy Tadesse, also known as Etsegenet Mekonnem, is an Ethiopia-born, Los Angeles-based artist who weaves trance-like guitar riffs and Ethiopian tradition into soulful performances.
Baloji, a multifaceted rapper and producer from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium, blends Congolese beats with hip-hop and brings modern African sound rooted in heritage.
Nana Benz du Togo is an all-female quintet mixing polyrhythms and voodoo chants with electronic beats, championing eco-feminist narratives.
Major League DJz, twin brothers from South Africa, are bringing the Amapiano wave to Europe with infectious South African house beats.
Al Bilali Soudan from Mali hails from Timbuktu and offers traditional Tuareg sounds rich in repetition and rhythm.
Nadah El Shazly from Egypt is a standout in experimental Arabic music, blending electronic, jazz, and Middle Eastern influences into lush soundscapes.
Qing Madi from Nigeria is a teenage sensation who merges Afrobeats and R\&B, bringing fresh energy and sharp songwriting to the stage.
Oxlade, also from Nigeria, is set to deliver a high-energy pan-African fusion of pop, R\&B, and Afrobeats with his debut album Oxlade From Africa.
Roskilde is known not just for its sound but for its statement. By curating such a broad and bold African presence, the 2025 edition is more than a music festival — it’s a cultural celebration and a platform for diverse global voices. As the Orange Stage lights up and the drums roll in from every corner of the continent, Africa’s pulse will echo loudly across Denmark this summer.
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