Felabration 2026 Ends Femi Kuti, Sean Tizzle Close Festival After Daddy Showkey, Peruzzi and L.A.X Thrill Fans
The curtains have come down on Felabration 2026. After seven days of music, dance, fashion and tributes, the annual festival honouring Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti ended on Sunday, October 18, at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos, with Femi Kuti, Sean Tizzle, Kacy, Ay Flowz and Kcer leading the final night.
The closing concert followed a packed Saturday show where Daddy Showkey, Peruzzi, L.A.X, Barry Jhay and Hotkeed kept fans on their feet until the early hours of Sunday.
Quick Facts: Felabration 2026
- Dates: October 12 to 18, 2026
- Venue: New Afrika Shrine, Ikeja, Lagos
- Theme: “Who Are You?”
- Honouring: Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
- Founded: 1998, by Fela’s daughter Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti
- Closing night acts: Femi Kuti, Sean Tizzle, Kacy, Ay Flowz and Kcer
A Grand Finale With the Kuti Family
Sunday’s closing concert brought together a mix of younger acts and one of the festival’s most important names. Kacy, Ay Flowz, Sean Tizzle and Kcer all performed on the final night.
The biggest moment, however, belonged to Femi Kuti. As Fela’s eldest son, his presence on the closing bill tied the festival back to the Kuti family’s long musical tradition, which remains the heart of Felabration every year.
Saturday Night: Daddy Showkey, Peruzzi and L.A.X Light Up the Shrine
Before the finale, Day 6 on Saturday, October 17, turned into one of the liveliest nights of the week. Street-pop veteran Daddy Showkey took fans back in time with his famous “Galala” sound.
Peruzzi, L.A.X, Barry Jhay and Hotkeed also performed their popular songs. TVC News reported that Ruggedman, Ice Prince, Shoday, Ortodefemi and Tee Famous were part of the night too.
What Fans Said
Fans who spoke to The Eagle Online after the Saturday show were full of praise. Chido Nwosu said Daddy Showkey “reminded us of the old-school sound that shaped Nigerian music,” adding that it was exciting to see him perform at an event celebrating Fela.
Another attendee, Bolaji Owotayi, said Peruzzi and L.A.X got people singing and dancing. Omoziku Friday noted that Felabration is not just about entertainment, saying Fela’s legacy “deserves to be celebrated by every generation.”
Fela’s 88th Posthumous Birthday
The festival week also marked what would have been Fela’s 88th birthday. On Thursday, October 15, Femi Kuti shared the stage with Fuji star Abass Akande, popularly known as Obesere, while street-pop singer Mr Real and an all-female percussion band also performed, Peoples Gazette reported.
The Thursday programme also featured music and dance competitions, keeping the spirit of the Shrine alive across the week.
Red Outfits and Tributes on Day 3
Earlier, on Wednesday, October 14, fans turned up in matching red outfits, filling the Shrine with colour. TVC News reported live performances, including one by Jay Flashy, as well as tributes to the late musician.
The Theme: “Who Are You?”
This year’s edition was built around the question “Who Are You?” The theme explored identity, individuality and self-expression, ideas that ran through Fela’s music and activism throughout his career.
Ahead of the festival, Voice of Nigeria reported that the line-up announced on Felabration’s official page included Femi Kuti and The Positive Force, Made Kuti, and Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 as headliners, with guest acts such as Musiliu Haruna Ishola, Terry Apala, Atawewe and Ice Prince.
More Than a Concert
Felabration has always been bigger than one week of shows. In the build-up to this year’s event, organisers held an art competition at the Kalakuta Museum, a dance competition at the Shrine, school debates, and the “Dress Fela” fashion show, which celebrates Fela’s iconic style.
Yeni Kuti, co-manager of the New Afrika Shrine, said in September that the festival helps promote Nigerian culture and attracts visitors from around the world, especially people of African descent in the diaspora.
“It’s a very positive thing because if you come to the Shrine, you see people from all over the world,” she said. “I’m glad that we are doing it and we are promoting our culture.”
The Davido Story That Got Fans Talking
Just before the festival opened, Femi Kuti sparked online chatter when he recalled that Davido once queued at the gate of the New Afrika Shrine before he became famous, asking to be let in for Felabration. Davido appeared to confirm the story on his Instagram story with a simple “Factos,” Legit.ng reported.
The moment showed how much the Shrine and the festival mean to Nigeria’s current generation of stars, many of whom grew up in the shadow of Fela’s music.
Why Felabration Still Matters
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti died on August 3, 1997. Nearly three decades later, his sound continues to inspire artists across Africa and the world, from Afrobeats stars to Burna Boy, whose AfroBank FM station celebrates African classics.
Fela was known for using his music to challenge corruption, military rule and social injustice. Felabration keeps that message alive by bringing old and new generations together at the Shrine every October.
With Felabration 2026 now in the books, fans will already be looking ahead to next year’s edition, as the Kuti family and the Shrine continue to carry Fela’s legacy forward.
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