Make Music Lagos Unveils Bold 2026 Plans For World Music Day Celebration

According to Ireporter Online, Make Music Lagos has announced plans for its 2026 World Music Day (Fête de la Musique) celebration, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to music, nurturing talent, and strengthening cultural exchange and community engagement across Nigeria’s creative space.

The initiative, organised in partnership with Alliance Française de Lagos and supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria, will feature a series of industry and community-driven activities leading up to the grand finale on June 21, which will host the annual Shutdown Concert in commemoration of World Music Day. The global event, celebrated in over 1,000 cities across more than 120 countries, promotes free public participation in music and provides a platform for emerging and established artists to connect with audiences.

The 2026 programme already includes key activities such as a Songwriters’ Workshop held on June 12, followed by a packed industry day on June 18 featuring the Music Business Conference, an album listening session, and catalogue review discussions involving key stakeholders in the music ecosystem. The celebrations will culminate in Lagos with the Shutdown Concert, a flagship live music showcase bringing together performers, live bands, industry professionals, and fans for a citywide celebration of creativity.

This year’s concert is expected to feature performances from notable acts including Johnny Drille, Made Kuti, The Cavemen, Rotimi Keys, Dotti the Deity, Ifé, alongside emerging talents selected from across the country. Earlier in the year, the platform also hosted the Battle of the Bands, where The African Folk Band, TÈMÍDÙN, and The Royal Bards emerged as finalists and are set to compete again at the grand finale on World Music Day.

Speaking on the upcoming edition, the Director of Make Music Lagos described the initiative as a growing platform where creativity, opportunity, and community intersect, noting that the goal remains to make music accessible while strengthening the wider industry ecosystem. Representatives of the French Embassy and Alliance Française de Lagos also emphasized the importance of cultural collaboration, artistic expression, and shared musical experiences in fostering unity and creative development.

With support from multiple cultural and industry partners, the 2026 edition is expected to further boost live music culture in Lagos, expand opportunities for emerging artists, and deepen public engagement with music. The 2025 edition of the Shutdown Concert reportedly attracted over 5,000 attendees and featured top Nigerian artists, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be an even bigger celebration in 2026.