Gidi Culture Festival
Gidi Culture Festival 2014
StatusActive
Date(s)Easter weekend
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Lagos, Nigeria
CountryNigeria
Years active2014–present
FounderChinedu Okeke and Oriteme Banigo
Websitewww.gidiculturefestival.com

The Gidi Culture Festival (often dubbed Coachella in Lagos) is an annual one-day music and arts festival that takes place in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] Co-founded by Chinedu Okeke and Oriteme Banigo, it was created in response to a demand from the local youth culture for live, affordable, and accessible entertainment in Africa.[2] The festival provides a venue for live bands, DJs, and musical acts to perform. It also features outdoor activities, local vendors, and artisans.[3] The main show features a line-up of African acts from numerous countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Congo, Kenya, and the United Kingdom. The goal of the festival is to encourage the development of African talent and promote artists both within the continent and into overseas markets.[2]

History

The Gidi Culture Festival is produced by Eclipse Live Production.[4][5] It was inspired by the now defunct Lekki Sound Splash, a festival once headlined by Fela Kuti. Co-founded by Chinedu Okeke and Oriteme Banigo, the festival's main aim is to create a safe space for the youth that would enable and empower them.[6] The festival has been noted for its novel ideas about giving back to the community. Its Beach Sweeps and Dreams Project are exchange programs that create opportunities for young people to work in a variety of different creative industries.[5][7] In addition to the Gidi Culture Festival, Eclipse Live Production produces Nigeria's Palmwine Music Fest and Nativeland. In an interview with IQ magazine in 2018, Okeke said the Gidi Culture Festival is yet to break even, although he is optimistic that it will do so in a couple of years.[8]

2014: Inaugural edition

The inaugural edition of the festival featured performances from Ice Prince, Phyno, Naeto C, Chidinma, Dammy Krane, Blink, Poe, Boj, Teezee, Ayo Jay, Emma Nyra, Patoranking, Lynxx, Jesse Jagz, Oritse Femi, Orezi, Reminisce, Efya, DJ Obi, DJ Caise, DJ Hazan, DJ Cuppy, DJ Kaywise, Falz, Pucado, Yung L, and Endia.[4][9][10]

2015: Second edition

The second edition of the festival was held on April 4, 2015, at Eko Atlantic in Lagos. It featured performances from M.I Abaga, Show Dem Camp, Waje, Yemi Alade, Falz, EL, Victoria Kimani, Urban Boyz, Awilo Longomba, Temi Dollface, Ebisan and Sauti Sol. It also featured DJ Neptune, DJ Lambo and DJ Gino Brown.[11]

2016: Third edition

The third edition of the festival was held at Eko Atlantic in Lagos. Hosted by Sensei Uche and Nomuzi, it featured performances from Tiwa Savage, D'banj, Phyno, Small Doctor, Timaya, Adekunle Gold, Yemi Alade, K.O, Riky Rick, Mr 2Kay, Base One, Que Peller, Dice Ailes, Poe, Funbi and Saeon.[12]

2017: Fourth edition

The fourth edition of the festival was held on April 15, 2017. It was headlined by Diplo, Burna Boy and Davido.[13] The festival featured additional performances from Seyi Shay, Reekado Banks, Simi, Niniola, Sauti Sol, and Vanessa Mdee.[14]

2018: Fifth edition

The fifth edition of the festival featured performances from Wizkid, 2Baba, Brymo, Adekunle Gold, Maleek Berry, DJ Spinall and Tiwa Savage, along with live sets newcomers Odunsi the Engine, Tay Iwar and Lady Donli.[6] In addition to the main stage, the festival's organizers introduced a second stage called the Next Generation stage. Before the show started, the configuration on the soundboard switched, resulting in the show being delayed for an hour.[6] A record attendance of 8,000 people attended the festival. The organizers used their own ticketing platform, Seagate, to sell over 3,000 tickets in pre-sales.[8]

2019: Sixth edition

The sixth edition of the festival was held on April 20, 2019, at the Landmark Beach Front in Victoria Island, Lagos.[15] The festival featured performances from Patoranking, Niniola, Teni, Moonchild, Sanelly, DJ Neptune, Wande Coal, DJ Cuppy, Sarz, Zlatan, Blaqbonez, and L.A.X.[16] It was estimated that over 10,000 people attended the festival.[8]


2020: Seventh edition

The seventh edition of the annual event which is usually held during the Easter[17] celebration was postponed to October 2020. It was then cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

References

  1. ^ "The Gidi Tribe: Nigeria's most exciting new youth movement". 23 April 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b Anugwara, Boldwin. "Youth corps members exhibit talents at Gidi Culture festival." Newswatch Times. January 17, 2014. December 12, 2014. [1]
  3. ^ "Are You Ready For The Gidi Culture Festival??" January 17, 2014. December 12, 2014. [2]
  4. ^ a b "Gidi Culture Festival Announces First Lineup of Artistes". February 9, 2014. December 12, 2014. [3]
  5. ^ a b "Gidi Culture Festival: Take Charge". Bella Naija. September 2, 2014. December 12, 2014. [4]
  6. ^ a b c Kam Tambini (9 April 2018). "How Gidi Culture Became The Festival For The 'New African Generation'". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Gidi Culture Festival: Represent Your Community". Bella Naija. January 27, 2014. December 12, 2014. [5].
  8. ^ a b c Jon Chapple (4 July 2018). "'PEOPLE SAY, "IS THAT COACHELLA? I DIDN'T KNOW THEY HAD FESTIVALS LIKE THAT IN AFRICA…"". IQ. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Gidi Culture Festival rocks Lagos tomorrow." Daily Independent. March 1, 2014. December 12, 2014. [6]
  10. ^ Alash, Bob. "VIP Tickets Contest!! A Beach Festival is Coming to Town! Gidi Culture Festival". Jaguda. February 2014. December 12, 2014. [7]
  11. ^ "Announces first lineup of artiste, host and DJS". Pulse Nigeria. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  12. ^ "Third year of Lagos music festival shows great improvement". Pulse Nigeria. 27 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  13. ^ Ifeoluwa Nihinlola (28 March 2017). "Nigeria: Diplo, Burna Boy and Davido to headline Gidi Fest". Music in Africa. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  14. ^ Agbana, Rotimi (20 March 2017). "Gidi Culture Festival returns with new promises". Vanguard. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  15. ^ Chuks Nwanne (16 March 2019). "Array of stars for Gidi Fest 2019". Guardian Life. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  16. ^ "Gidi Culture Festival to host Niniola". Music in Africa. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  17. ^ "Gidi Fest 2021 is cancelled". Pulse Nigeria. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-07-31.

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