Make Music Lagos Prepares for World Music Day 2026 Celebrations
Make Music Lagos has unveiled its plans to commemorate World Music Day 2026 (Fête de la Musique), reaffirming its mission to enhance music accessibility and foster artistic discovery, cultural exchange, and community engagement.
Collaboration with Cultural Partners
This year’s festivities, organized in collaboration with Alliance Française de Lagos and supported by the Embassy of France in Nigeria, will unite artists, music professionals, cultural practitioners, and audiences in a series of events leading up to the main event—the annual Shutdown Concert on June 21, coinciding with World Music Day.
A Global Celebration of Music
World Music Day is celebrated in over 120 countries and thousands of cities worldwide. The movement encourages free musical participation, supports emerging talent, and utilizes music as a vehicle for community engagement and cultural connection.
Influence of Make Music Lagos
In Nigeria, Make Music Lagos has emerged as one of the most transformative music initiatives over the last decade. It has successfully created a platform for live performances, music education, industry engagement, and artist development.
Diverse Program of Activities
This year’s agenda includes an array of activities targeting various sectors of the music ecosystem. Notable events feature a full day focused on industry-specific programs, including the Songwriters Workshop on June 12 and the Music Business Conference (MBC) on June 18, along with album listening parties and catalog review sessions.
Highlighting Talent at the Shutdown Concert
The celebrations will culminate in the Shutdown Concert on June 21, a signature event in Lagos that showcases both established and emerging artists. This year, the concert will feature prominent Nigerian talents such as Johnny Drill, Made Kuti, The Cavemen, Rotimi Keyes, Dottie the Ditty, and Ife, alongside up-and-coming performers from across the nation.
Support for Emerging Artists
Earlier this year, Make Music Lagos initiated the Battle of the Bands, aimed at promoting and nurturing emerging live performance talent. After an intense competition, the African folk band Temudan and The Royal Birds emerged as the top three finalists and will once again grace the stage of the World Music Day Shutdown Concert.
Statements from Organizers and Partners
Commenting on this year’s celebration, Make Music Lagos Director Adeola Akinyemi emphasized the initiative’s goal to foster creativity, community, and opportunity. He stated that each year presents a unique chance for artists to be discovered and for audiences to experience music in innovative ways. Similarly, Margaux Demersmin, Regional Music Officer at the French Embassy, highlighted their shared vision of using music festivals to enact real change in the industry by uniting artists and audiences.
Cultural Contribution of Alliance Française
As a long-standing cultural partner of the initiative, Alliance Française de Lagos plays a vital role in promoting cultural exchange, artistic collaboration, and community involvement through music. Marc Brévin, Executive Director of Alliance Française de Lagos, remarked on the significance of World Music Day, underscoring its power to celebrate culture, creativity, and community.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
Building on the success of previous years, the planned activities for World Music Day 2026 aim to further bolster the live music culture in Lagos, support emerging talents, and encourage public engagement with music. Last year’s Shutdown Concert attracted over 5,000 attendees and featured performances from top artists, solidifying its status as one of the city’s most anticipated annual music events.
Continuous Support for a Groundbreaking Celebration
With ongoing support from key cultural partners including Alliance Française de Lagos, the Embassy of France in Nigeria, Shogiya Nigeria, Creative Industries Initiative for Africa (CIIFA), Lekan Bamidele, and various media partners, World Music Day 2026 is poised to become a monumental celebration that highlights music’s role in connecting communities and inspiring creativity.
The Legacy of Make Music Lagos
Make Music Lagos is the Nigerian iteration of the global Make Music Day movement, a free music festival celebrated annually on June 21 in thousands of cities across more than 120 countries. Since its inception in Nigeria in 2016, Make Music Lagos has built a committed platform that promotes musical discovery, artist development, cultural exchange, and community engagement through live performances and educational initiatives.
