Lagos Set to Become a City-Wide Stage for 2026 World Music Day

Lagos is once again set to transform into a vast open-air stage as Make Music Lagos, in partnership with Alliance Française de Lagos and with support from the French Embassy in Nigeria, unveils plans for the 2026 edition of World Music Day - Fête de la Musique. What began as a global cultural experiment in over 1,000 cities across 120 countries has, in Lagos, evolved into a movement blending talent discovery, industry dialogue and community celebration into a single city-wide musical experience, culminating in the Shutdown Concert on June 21.

Akinyemi: Music Must Be Accessible to Everyone

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Director of Make Music Lagos, Adeola Akinyemi, said the platform continues to serve as a bridge between creativity and opportunity.

Every year, we create spaces for artists to be discovered, for audiences to experience music in new ways and for industry stakeholders to come together in meaningful conversation. Our vision remains simple; to make music accessible to everyone while creating opportunities that strengthen the ecosystem.

— Adeola Akinyemi, Director, Make Music Lagos

A Full Week of Events Before the Main Stage

The 2026 programme is structured as a full ecosystem experience rather than a single-day celebration. Activities kicked off with a Songwriters' Workshop on June 12, while a Music Business Conference, Album Listening Party and Catalogue Review Sessions are scheduled for June 18. The week culminates on June 21 with the World Music Day Shutdown Concert - widely regarded as Lagos' flagship public music showcase - featuring Johnny Drille, Made Kuti, The Cavemen, Rotimi Keys, Dotti the deity and Ifé, alongside emerging talents from across the country.

Adding an international dimension to the initiative, Regional Music Attachée for the French Embassy, Margaux Demeersseman, described the partnership as a shared cultural commitment.

With Make Music Lagos, we share a common vision of bringing to life initiatives that are truly transformative for the music sector. There is no better moment than the Fête de la Musique to advance this vision and bring together artists, audiences, and industry key players where everyone finds their stage.

— Margaux Demeersseman, Regional Music Attachée, French Embassy Nigeria

Battle of the Bands Grand Finale Adds Competitive Edge

One of the key highlights of this year's edition is the grand finale of the Battle of the Bands competition, launched earlier in the year to discover and nurture emerging live-performance acts. After a rigorous selection process, The African Folk Band, TÈMÍDÙN and The Royal Bards have emerged as finalists and will battle for top honours on the Shutdown Concert stage.

For Alliance Française de Lagos, the initiative represents more than a cultural partnership. Director Marc Brébant described World Music Day as one of the world's most powerful cultural celebrations.

World Music Day represents one of the most powerful celebrations of culture, creativity, and community across the world. We are proud to support a movement that encourages participation, artistic expression, and cultural exchange, while bringing people together through the shared experience of music.

— Marc Brébant, Director, Alliance Française de Lagos

Building on 2025's Record Crowd of 5,000

Make Music Lagos has steadily grown into one of Nigeria's most influential grassroots music platforms. Its 2025 edition drew more than 5,000 attendees and featured performances by MI Abaga, Johnny Drille, Chike and Gaise Baba - cementing its place as a major cultural fixture in the country's entertainment calendar. Supported by Alliance Française de Lagos, the French Embassy, Showgear Nigeria, Creative Industries Initiative For Africa and Lekan Bamidele and Co, the 2026 edition is expected to push boundaries further, expanding access for emerging talent while strengthening public engagement with music as a shared cultural language.