Cream Classical celebrates 10 years at OTWF 2026(Image: @dsargent.photo)

26 moments as Liverpool taken over by huge events

by · Liverpool Echo

On The Waterfront and Africa Oye returned to Liverpool at the weekend

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Liverpool was taken over by two huge events this weekend. Africa Oye, the UK's biggest celebration of African music and culture, returned to Sefton Park on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21. Liverpool's waterfront also hosted the return of On The Waterfront music festival from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 21.

Africa Oye brought together music from nations across Africa and the Caribbean, dance performances, a dedicated family zone, and over 90 stalls featuring food, drink and more. The event began as a series of gigs in Liverpool city centre in 1992, growing into a huge event held at Sefton Park from 2002. The ECHO was at the event today where attendees could be seen having the time of their lives.

On The Waterfront kicked off on Thursday with a performance from Mod legend, Paul Weller, while Friday saw Merseyside band Red Rum Club headline. On Saturday, Cream Classical celebrated 10 years of live events with a huge show. Snow Patrol closed the event last night with their headline performance.

The ECHO attended both on the events where music fans could be seen making the most of the incredible atmosphere. Take a look at our favourite moments below. On The Waterfront pictures were taken by @dsargent.photo on behalf of Cream.

  1. A sea of beautiful colours at Africa Oye
    1 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. Attendees of all ages were enjoying the fun
    2 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. Attendees got to watch stunning performances
    3 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  4. Africa Oye has called Sefton Park its home since 2002
    4 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  5. The Katumba and Dancing Queen Parade
    5 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  6. Day two of the event
    6 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  1. It was another great weekend at Africa Oye
    7 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. All smiles!
    8 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. Star Wars Wookiees at the event
    9 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  4. Batala Mersey
    10 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  5. Mod legend Paul Weller performs at On The Waterfront
    11 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  1. Paul Weller crowd
    12 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  2. Thousands of people were in attendance
    13 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  3. He performed timeless songs from The Jam and Style Council
    14 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  4. The crowd at Red Rum Club
    15 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  5. Red Rum Club frontman Fran Doran
    16 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  1. Addressing the thousands of cheering fans, Doran said: “Being from this city […] your support means so, so much to us."
    17 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  2. Reviewer Elliot Jessett described the mood as "celebratory"
    18 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  3. Dance music fans had the time of their lives
    19 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  4. The huge crowd at Cream Classical
    20 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  5. Time for a selfie
    21 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  1. The atmosphere was electric
    22 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  2. Cream Classical celebrated 10 years of events
    23 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  3. Snow Patrol closed out the festival last night
    24 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  4. The crowd at Snow Patrol
    25 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)
  5. Snow Patrol
    26 of 26(Image: @dsargent.photo)