The capital’s best free festival of global beats, Turning Tides returns to its unrivalled Thames-side location on Greenwich Peninsula on 23 & 24 September. Headliners Afriquoi and Los Bitchos and a host of acclaimed UK and international artists take over the Design District for a weekend-long party: the only way to see out the summer.
Turning Tides brings eclectic sounds and electrifying performances from all over the world and all over London together, presented from a vibrant festival quarter designed by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, in a celebration of culture, colour and music.
The entire two-days of music are free but numbers are limited so those hoping to get their dancing shoes on are encouraged to book online here.
Saturday’s headliner is Afriquoi, an underground sensation bringing an uplifting fusion of African music and live electronics. The masterful five-piece live show combines Gambian kora, Congolese guitar and Mandinka percussion styles with electronic music drawing on house, garage, disco, soul, and jungle to create something entirely unique.
The beats don’t stop all day on Saturday, with Angolan-Portuguese singer-songwriter Pongo mixing her African, Langan and Zairan roots with EDM, dancehall and melodic pop; UK-based Tertia May stirring souls as she pulls from hip-hop, jazz, soul and pop; eight piece drum-and-brass band Don’t Problem, from South East London, who reimagine what a brass band is capable of; and dynamic DJ and Producer duo, Village Cuts, exploring global dance music through the lens of UK club culture.
Sunday’s headliner, fresh from this year’s Glastonbury festival is Los Bitchos. The London-based pan-continental four-piece take in a retro-futuristic blend of Peruvian chic, Argentine cumbia, Turkish psyche and surf guitars to make the best new party band on the scene.
Completing the weekend is Baba Ali, the combined force of American musician and performer Baba Doherty and British guitarist Nik Balchin and considered as one of the most electrifying new acts to emerge from the UK; Montreal-based retro-pop quintet, Bon Enfant; innovative sax and drums duo O. whose sound is far bigger than their footprint; and UK based producer The Busy Twist, joining the dots between Afro, Latin and UK bass music.
Located in Design District, Canteen Food Hall and Bar will be serving an array of international street food options as well as housing a fully stocked bar for drinks – perfect for those who may have worked up a thirst and appetite from dancing all day.
Afriquoi, headliner at Turning Tides Festival, said:
“We arrive in London fresh from playing in Malaysia, Holland, Lost Village and with Russell Brand at Community and we’re getting set to perform our live afro-electronic explosion at Turning Tides Festival on Greenwich Peninsula. Turning Tides represents genres from around the world, offering a refreshing diversity not often found at other festivals and we’re excited to be adding our vibrant and exciting musical message to the line-up.
“Afriquoi was born out of London’s cultural richness so we’re really looking forward to coming back and delivering an exhilarating live performance on the Turning Tides stage.”
