BlackFest is grassroots, homegrown, award-winning Black arts organisation based in Liverpool City Region. They showcase music, theatre, film, visual arts, spoken word, and poetry across both community and mainstream venues. Their aim is to bridge the gap between institutions and the marginalised communities they represent.
Their annual festival was created to amplify and celebrate Black artistic expression, the theme for BlackFest 2025 is Masculinity and Masculine energy, exploring and celebrating the diverse aspects of masculinity.
Here’s a selection of highlights from this year’s line-up:
Diversity Dialogues with Malik Al Nasir – Sefton Park Palm House (23 September)
Come together for an inspiring Diversity Dialogues session with author, educator, artist, activist Malik Al Nasir hosted by Dr Rebecca Loy as he shares reflections on identity and heritage his second published book, Searching for my Slave Roots.
Malik Al Nasir was born in Liverpool to mixed parentage, with a white mother and a black father. Bemused by memories of racist shouts for him to ‘go back to where you came from’ he began to look into his ancestry. His resulting book charts the twists and turns of his journey into the past and explores an untold chapter in both Black and British history.
With uplifting performances featuring Hayli Kincade and Wavertree Community Choir.
Remée – The Tung Auditorium (24 September)
Part of the Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series, join BlackFest in partnership with The Tung Auditorium in celebrating local Liverpool artist Remée.
Remée is an alternative artist who draws inspiration from a wide range of artists and genres with immersive lyrical storytelling and stunning visuals. She is also known for her love of steampunk fashion and Victorian-era aesthetics, which she incorporates into her music. The local singer/songwriter blends electronics with heavy bass in a captivating show.
Rhythms Night – District (25 September)
A dynamic showcase blending rock-punk with soulful singer-songwriters, Rhythms Night features headliner Third Kulture alongside KingFast, Mina and Rafaela. Third Kulture’s unique sound draws from all corners of their diverse cultural influence, blending mesmerising R&B vocals, electrifying guitar riffs, and the cutting-edge influences of grime and modern rap with flavours of UK rave music, dancehall and trip-hop.
Formed in Manchester, the dynamic trio are loud and unapologetically themselves, embodying the essence of diversity, innovation, and cultural fusion.
Spoken Word Poetry Night – The Capstone Theatre (3 October)
Head along and enjoy poets and wordsmiths bringing their views and experiences to life, featuring Dionne Simpson, Sabiya and Janoma Omena. The experimental Spoken Word Poetry Night has always been such a well-loved segment of the festival from audiences and artists alike.
BlackFest have shortlisted the talented and passionate artists to develop their work over a series of professionally facilitated workshops and rehearsals. The comedy veers from breaking intergenerational curses to dark and witty humour, covering themes of abuse, race, culture and identity.
Visual Arts Workshop: Curtis Watt – Granby Winter Garden (8 October)
Curtis Watt is an established local Liverpool multidisciplinary artist. His practice is in sketch, mixed media and surrealist dream translations in pencil, pastels and ink. His work has also included rap, music production, theatre development and performance coaching.
The Visual Arts Workshop explores creative writing, storytelling, poetry and spoken word, followed by sketching your own creative response.
Celebrating 150 Years Coleridge Taylor Day – The Capstone Theatre / Hope Creative Campus (11 October)
2025 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Tayo Aluko & Friends CIC in partnership with BlackFest and Liverpool Hope University are holding a Celebrating Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Day at Hope University’s creative campus.
The day will include some of Coleridge-Taylor’s works featuring singers and instrumentalists singing and playing the composer’s music. , and Tayo Aluko’s play, Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown at The Captone Theatre.
BlackFest October Scratch Night Take Over – Shakespeare North Playhouse (14 October)
Join the BlackFest October Scratch Night Take Over as artists Shak, Chelsey, Resila and BluBoy bring exciting experimental new works using their disciplines and theatre to bring their stories to life.
Some of the artists use their writing and directing skills, some their own performance and poetry skills and some a combination of singing performing and writing. They are also creating open mic slots for after the artists have performed, you can sign up before the event at andi.herring@blackfest.co.uk.
The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase – Liverpool Royal Court Studios (25 October)
The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase is hosted by Che Burnley, hailing from Oldham and an honorary Scouser. In the last few years Che has established his own showcase show in Edinburgh and Liverpool, provided tour support for Reginald D Hunter, written his own solo shows and still found time to gig across the country. Join the festival comedy showcase for Che and some excellent supporting acts from Liverpool and beyond.
For more details and to buy tickets, visit their website www.blackfest.co.uk
To discover even more events across the Liverpool city region check out our What’s On Listings.