Music City Central Festival has wrapped up its maiden edition in Lagos, setting a high benchmark for live music production and industry engagement in the city.
Organised by SpringBox Africa, the two-day festival, which was held on December 19 and 20 at Orange Island, combined world-class stage production with conversations aimed at strengthening Africa’s music ecosystem.
The organisers delivered a seamless live experience, marked by strong technical execution and a carefully curated lineup that reflected the depth and evolution of African music.
Day one closed on a high note with a compelling performance by highlife duo, The Cavemen, whose set blended cultural heritage with contemporary sound. On the second day, Afrobeat artiste Made Kuti showcased technical mastery, reaffirming his place within the famed Afrobeat lineage.
Afropop acts also took centre stage, with Fave winning over the audience through her emotive vocals, while Qing Madi delivered a confident performance that highlighted her growing influence on the global music scene. Fola added a distinct sonic flavour, further underscoring the diversity of talent shaping Africa’s sound.
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Beyond the performances, Music City Central stood out for its strong focus on industry development. Panel sessions brought together key stakeholders to discuss critical issues such as royalties, artist management, and the future of the African music business.
An attendee, Titilayo, an aspiring songwriter, said the festival went beyond entertainment. “The level of professionalism here is on another level. I came for the music, but I stayed for the industry panels and the conversations. It feels like the festival actually cares about building a future for music, not just putting on a show,” she said.
The festival also tapped into the festive season, boosting entertainment and tourism activities in Lagos. Other performances came from Dunnie, Aniko, We Are All Chemicals, Shmurda, and Twixx, while DJ Lambo, Lats the DJ, and SL the DJ kept the energy high throughout the event.
By merging high-quality performances with strategic industry conversations, Music City Central has positioned itself as a major cultural platform in Lagos.
The organisers said the festival will continue to prioritise excellence for both artists and audiences as it looks ahead to 2026.