2021 Music Events in Pictures
Let’s look back at celebrity music photographer Michael Tubes’ imagery as he explores the music events of 2021 within the UK, which took place through his lens.
In 2020, COVID-19 hit all industries across the globe, and the African music industry was no exception to the hit of the pandemic as live performances were grounded to a halt. The pandemic was indeed a significant blow for the industry!
However, if there is anything like “the god of music”, it had undoubtedly favoured the Afrobeat’s music industry as the year 2021 used London’s city to bless our African music artists.
From Grammy Award-winning artist Wizkid who sold out his O2 show after going live on sale in 12minutes, leaving fans scrambling to find tickets leading to additional dates added, which equally sold out in minutes. To another Grammy award winner, Burna Boy, who also sold out his first-ever headline show at the O2.
London, UK. 1st December 2021. Wizkid performs at The O2 Arena on Day3. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 1st December 2021. Wizkid performs at The O2 Arena on Day3. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 1st December 2021. Wizkid performs at The O2 Arena on Day3. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 1st December 2021. Wizkid & Burna Boy performs at The O2 Arena on Day3. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 1st December 2021. Wizkid & Skepta performs at The O2 Arena on Day3. Photographed by Michael Tubes
His performance was well dramatised, with a large screen within the show highlighting breaking news reports of a UFO landing from space which caused anxiety and excitement within the crowd as fans went wild. The show was also backed up with a full live band and backing singers dressed in white. Burna Boy’s first performance was his Twice as Tall Album ‘Level Up’ featuring Youssou Ndour; after that, it was hit after hit with an electrifying show.
London, UK. 27th August 2021. Burna Boy performing Live at 02 Arena. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 27th August 2021. Burna Boy performing Live at 02 Arena. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 27th August 2021. Burna Boy performing Live at 02 Arena. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 27th August 2021. Burna Boy performing Live at 02 Arena. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 27th August 2021. Burna Boy performing Live at 02 Arena. Photographed by Michael Tubes
Early in the spring of 2021, the studio of Michael Tubes Creations showcased the ‘Women in African Music Exhibition’, offering eye-catching visuals.
For almost a decade, Michael Tubes has carefully curated and documented the African music scene worldwide using the powerful medium of photography. Michael Tubes, known by many as MTC, is renowned for capturing the essence of motion and has been hailed by many as one of the best contemporary documentary photographers of our time in the UK today as he proudly represents Africa with every shot.
In conjunction with Sounds of Africa, MTC exhibits the beautiful artistry of African women in music in 3D, which has been featured across many editorials, including the BBC.
3D Image of the Exhibition
3D Image of the Exhibition
Due to the tragedy of the pandemic, the festival season took a nosedive. ‘Ghana Party In The Park’ proudly opened up the return of the festival season for 2021 with “life after Covid”. The show was undoubtedly the sweetest of shows; the vibes were on point, the performances were electric and on this day, even the UK weather understood the assignment as it graced the event with sunshine and holistic good vibes.
London, UK. 24th July 2021. Fans reaction during Ghana Party in the Park Festival. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 24th July 2021. Sarkodie 🇬🇭performing live at Ghana Party in the Park Festival. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. 24th July 2021. Camidoh performing live at Ghana Party in The Park. Photographed by Michael Tubes
Ghana Party In The Park
The city of London has always played a significant role within the Afrobeat’s industry, and that is probably why the city saw the launch of a brand new festival which was titled ‘Yam Festival’; the festival made its debut in the summer of 2021. The Yam Festival, which was initially planned for previous years, was postponed until 2021 due to the pandemic. The star-studded carnival, which proudly is the Yam Festival, celebrates the culture of Africa and draws together various strands from the African diaspora.
Yam Festival
London, United Kingdom. 28th August 2021. Patoranking performing live at Yam Festival. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. 28th August 2021. Davido & Focalistic performing live at Yam Festival. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. 28th August 2021. A Fan enjoying the music at Yam Festival. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. 28th August 2021. Beenie Man performing live at Yam Festival. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. 28th August 2021. Shope Olajide & Eddie Kadi entertaining fans during Yam Festival. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. 28th August 2021. Fans reaction during Yam Festival. Photographed by Michael Tubes
Moreover, a few brilliant significant events, like Asa’s performance at the Electric Brixton, was indeed an electrifying all-rounder. The show was so well put together that fans demanded several encores with everyone on their feet singing along with her from the first to the last song. Asa performed all her fans favourite songs from her discography.
London, United Kingdom. October 3, 2021. Asa performs live on stage at Electric Brixton. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, United Kingdom. October 3, 2021. Asa performs live on stage at Electric Brixton. Photographed by Michael Tubes
Yemi Alade represented Nigeria with a spectacular performance at the first-ever ‘Earthshot Prize’ ceremony at London’s Alexandra Palace in front of HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton. The ceremony was aired live on BBC One and saw Yemi deliver a rendition of her hit single “Rain” from her 4th studio Album.
London, UK. 17th October 2021. : Yemi Alade performing live at the Earthshot Prize 2021 at Alexandra Palace. Photographed by Michael Tubes
Now, we cannot celebrate Africa in music without the sound of Sauti Sol. If you have not had the experience of Sauti Sol’s performance once in your lifetime, the band’s last concert in the UK before they announced they will proceed with their individual projects gave the UK a spectacular show. If you had the pleasure of being at the concert and you gazed around the room, you would have seen faces of every race and gender beaming, and I mean smiling with eyes transfixed, enjoying the vibe, not worrying about their “two-step” or the sweat rolling down their face, you would have noticed that every face was transfixed to the movement that is Sauti Sol.
London, UK. 10th October 2021. Sauti Sol performing live Laylow. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 10th October 2021. Sauti Sol performing live Laylow. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 10th October 2021. Sauti Sol performing live Laylow. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 10th October 2021. Sauti Sol performing live Laylow. Photographed by Michael Tubes
SMADE Entertainment, one of the leading UK based Afrobeat’s music, live entertainment and lifestyle promotions companies within Europe which was born out of the drive and passion for African culture and entertainment, opened a new afro-centric venue called Smade Lounge.
2021 saw Smade Lounge host Pricesswonda’s listening party, Blackbonez’ album playback event, Kidi’s showcase, Kuami Eugene showcase, Obi Cubana, Cassper Nyovest party and many more. The venue serves the community as it remains a home for African music by Africans!
London, UK. 23rd October 2021. : Princess Wonda listening party at Smade Lounge. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 13th November 2021. Phyno Album Listening party at Smade Lounge. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 13th November 2021. Promoter Smade, Shope Olajide, Model Adut Akech attends Phyno’s Album Listening party at Smade Lounge. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 25th November 2021. Shope Olajide interviewed Blackbonez during his Album Listening party at Smade Lounge. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 25th November 2021. Fans reaction to one of Blackbonez’s jokes during his Album Listening party at Smade Lounge. Photographed by Michael Tubes
Lastly, there were several significant artists who had their first headline shows in the UK. Artists such as Stonewboy, Buju, Ayra starr, Zlatan, promoted by Smade Entertainment and many more.
London, UK. 22nd November 2021. Stonebwoy performing at his First Headline Concert at Islington Academy. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 22nd November 2021. Stonebwoy performing at his First Headline Concert at Islington Academy. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 31st October 2021. Zlatan performing live at his Headline concert Indigo at The O₂. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 31st October 2021. Fans reaction to Zlatan’s performance at his Headline concert Indigo at The O₂. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 25th November 2021. Ckay performing live at his Headline concert, held at XOYO. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 25th November 2021. Ckay performing live at his Headline concert, held at XOYO. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 30th November 2021. Buju performing live at his Headline concert, held at Lafayette. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 30th November 2021. Fans reaction to Buju’s performance at his Headline concert, held at Lafayette. Photographed by Michael Tubes
London, UK. 28th October 2021. An Evening with Ayra Starr. Photographed by Michael Tubes
2021 saw Africa rise with new wings, which we at Sounds Of Africa were honoured to be a part of through the lens of Michael Tubes Creations. Now take a look back with us over the year through the imagery documented by the legendary MTC and his lens.
