Swansea Fringe returns for it’s 2026 instalment, and this year’s Funk @ The Fringe has a distinctly Afrobeat feel with N’Famady Kouyaté, Kasai Masai & Maryama Cham and Xempa, plus Funked Up! DJs until late!
N’FAMADY KOUYATÉ
N’famady Kouyaté is a young energetic master musician from Guinea (Conakry), who relocated to Cardiff (Wales) in 2019. A talented multi-instrumentalist who wowed audiences across the UK and Ireland during autumn/winter 2019/20 with his modern interpretations of traditional West African Mandingue songs and rhythms supporting Gruff Rhys on the Pang! album tour. N’famady’s primary instrument is the balafon – the traditional wooden xylophone, sacred to West African culture and his family heritage of the griot/djeli. In Guinea he founded ‘Les Héritiers du Mandingue’ a tradi-modern group that toured extensively in West Africa.
In the UK N’famady has played both as a solo artist and with a full band line up – where his arrangements are a fusion of Mandingue African with western jazz, pop, indie, and funk influences provided by an ever-evolving collective of musicians. Instrumentation includes balafon, keyboards, drumkit, djembe, guitar, bass, kora, doundoun, congas, saxophone, trumpet, & callabash. N’famady’s performances create amazing atmospheres and vibrations wherever he goes, and audiences are charmed by his infectious enthusiasm and joy.
KASAI MASAI & MARYAMA CHAM
Kasaï Masaï bring the traditional sound of remote equatorial African villages to the UK, adding a unique and contemporary twist on the way. Rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Congo, Kasai Masai is a dynamic soukous band known for their electrifying performances and infectious rhythms. Led by the charismatic Nickens Nkoso, a multi-talented musician, singer, songwriter, composer, percussionist, dancer, the band brings the raw energy of Congolese folklore to the global stage.
Kasai Masai has become a powerhouse in the world of Rumba and Soukous, blending infectious guitar melodies, pulsating rhythms, and electrifying stage performances. Their high-energy performances and unmistakable grooves have earned them a reputation as one of the most exciting live act in the contemporary soukous world. Whether performing in London, Paris to New York, the band continues to spread the joyous and rhythmic spirit of Congolese music to the new generations. With a legacy built on passion, rhythm, and cultural pride.
Since their formation, the band has performed at prestigious venues, and festivals worldwide, sharing stage with some of Africa’s greatest musicians. Their high-energy shows have made them a favourite in the world music scene, drawing crowds in Europe, Asia and beyond. Kasai Masai remains at the forefront of the soukous movement, proving that the heartbeat of Congolese music will never fade.
Maryama Cham is a dynamic Gambian singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, and activist whose golden voice resonates across SeneGambia and beyond. Her music masterfully blends classic acoustic performance with traditional West African folklore, communicating powerful messages through the richness of her culture. As Country Representative for the African Artist Peace Initiative and a UNODC Blue Hearts campaign advocate, Maryama is as committed to social change as she is to artistic excellence.
XEMPA
XEMPA are a genre blurring Welsh collective that brings together the soulful vibes of RnB, the groove of Funk, the lyrical flow of Hip-Hop and the raw energy of Rock. Xempa's music is a celebration of creativity and individuality.