Over the years, Afropunk has solidified itself as the premiere space for Black people in the goth, punk, and alternative lifestyle communities. The creator, Matthew Morgan, wanted to carve out a space for Black people in the alternative scene to build and vibe together.
The inaugural Afropunk Festival in Brooklyn took off in 2005, and it was a great success. You can just imagine how much it has evolved since then.
To call Afropunk an organization that hosts music festivals would be inaccurate. Beyond that, there are obvious social and political elements, and its chief concern is the visibility, well-being, and advancement of Black people. You don’t have to be part of any counter-cultural community to see the value of that.
According to Afropunk’s site, “the festival celebrates and unifies the cultural cornerstones of Afropunk: music, film, lifestyle, sports, art, fashion and most importantly, the fiercely independent and influential individuals that are the lifeblood of the Afropunk community.”
Check out these Afropunk music festivals and events set for this year so far.
Afropunk Brooklynfest: August 26 and 27
Of course, we have to highlight Brooklyn, the birthplace of Afropunk. The exact lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but if past acts are any indication, it’s going to be fire.
Check the website for early bird general and VIP admission tickets.
Afropunk Bahia: November 18 and 19
The Travel Channel calls Bahia (where the city of Salvador is located), “Brazil’s pulsing epicenter of Afro-Brazilian culture.”
With that in mind, you can’t ask for a more appropriate setting for any Black music festival.
Afropunk announced on Twitter in April, “Afropunk Bahia 2023 tickets are available! November 18 and 19. Salvador is the perfect place to be in touch with Afro-Brazilian history. Embrace your blackness unapologetically, appreciate your path, celebrate your life!”
There Will Likely Be Other Afropunk Festivals This Year
Afropunk has expanded to other cities in the U.S., like Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Miami. It’s also found its way to international destinations like London, France, and South Africa.
Check the website to keep abreast of additional Afropunk festivals.
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