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Photo by Ged Doyle @ Plast-c Liverpool

Paul Duhaney from Africa Oyé  spoke to Dave Monks on his show ‘The Pool’ about the festival taking place this weekend.

Africa Oye is the UK’s largest free celebration of African music and culture and takes place each year in Liverpool.

Paul Duhaney from Africa Oye

Beginning in 1992 as a series of small gigs in the city centre, the event moved to Sefton Park in 2002 to cope with demand.

Now in its seventeenth year, Africa Oyé continues to grow.

In 2008 the event attracted an audience of over 20,000 people and even more are expected to attend Oyé 09.

Oyé celebrates African cultures, food, music and artists that make this continent one of the most vibrant and inspiring in the world.

Photo by Ged Doyle @ Plast-c Liverpool

Artists from nations across Africa will perform live with music from South America and The Caribbean with Salsa, Soca and Reggae also featuring in the line up.

But Africa Oyé is about more than music.

Over 40 stalls selling the best food, drink, arts and crafts and fashion from Africa and beyond will be present at the Oyé village along with face painting, bouncy castles and workshops.

For a full list of events and more information visit the Africa Oye website.