Blankets & Wine UK will feature Bensoul, Muthoni Drummer Queen, Njerae, Blinky Bill, and other artists

This September, Bradford will be treated to a fusion of Kenyan rhythm and creativity as the renowned music and arts festival Blankets & Wine makes its European premiere. 

This event, which is part of Bradford UK’s 2025 City of Culture celebrations, will be held at Lister Park on Saturday, September 6.

The amazing lineup for the festival’s inaugural UK edition features both new and well-known performers. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Bensoul will be the main act, with Blinky Bill, a pioneer of alternative music, and Muthoni Drummer Queen, a powerhouse who defies genre boundaries, joining him.

Njerae, Boutross, Coster Ojwang, Elsy Wameyo, Euggy, and Tina Ardor are among the diverse group of Kenyan and diaspora celebrities who will join them. High-energy sets by DJs Remmy, Dipak Mistry (also known as Mistryllaneous), and Mista ER prolong the celebration.

“This is a joyful celebration of music and culture, introducing Bradford audiences to the dynamic and diverse Kenyan music scene,” said Shanaz Gulzar, Bradford 2025’s creative director. “By working with the British Council, we are facilitating collaborations between local and international artists.”

The UK/Kenya Season 2025 event, presented in collaboration with the British Council, will include two stages that will showcase Bradford-based talent as well as Kenyan history. Celebrating the city’s variety and promoting artistic collaboration and cross-cultural exchange are the goals.

In his reflection on the festival’s history, Muthoni Drummer Queen, who also serves as its creative director, said: “Bleeds & Wine has supported live and electronic musicians from Africa and its diaspora for more than 16 years, creating a community of music, culture, and lifestyle enthusiasts. In addition to meeting new audiences, we are thrilled to bring the festival to Bradford and establish enduring ties between the cultural scenes of East Africa and the UK.

The British Council’s director of arts, Ruth Mackenzie, continued: “As part of our UK/Kenya Season, which celebrates the creative energy of both nations and builds stronger, lasting connections between them, we are proud to support Blankets & Wine UK.”

The festival, which will take place in Lister Park beneath the summer sky, will feature live music, DJ sets, and cross-cultural encounters from 12 to 8 p.m.