Beneath the Baobabs festival has officially revealed all 60+ artists performing at this year’s edition, an ambitious curation that promises to elevate Kenyan festival culture and honour over a decade of New Year’s celebrations in Kilifi County on December 30-31, 2025.
What began as a small gathering on the banks of Kilifi Creek has evolved into a globally recognised destination festival. With each year, BTB continues to expand its creative universe. This full lineup announcement marks another defining moment in the festival’s journey, bringing together the established, the emerging, and the unexpected showcasing the breadth of today’s alternative and electronic scenes.
A Lineup that Bridges Heritage and Future
This year’s programming is a reflection of BTB’s dual commitment: celebrating the sounds that shaped the festival’s history while signalling the next frontier of East African and global alternative music.
New additions to the headliner roster include French producer Konvex, and UK talents Mia Koden & MINA, who makes a welcome return to the coast. Kenyas TG BLK also joins the festival, headlining the Frelanda Stage with her genre-blending, future-forward sound.
Alongside international voices, the lineup features a powerful representation of Kenya’s electronic and alternative landscape. Festival favourites including Ghedi, Shangatatu, Bbyyontheisland, Soulfud, Zippie Nyumu, and Kuriba, return to the Baobabs, carrying the spirit of Kenya’s scene forward.
This year also introduces an exciting wave of debut performances from artists such as Basthma, Coco Kahi, Balter Sensei and Nowisgood, who will represent Kenya in the Outlook Festival Takeover on the Umoja Soundsystem, showcasing the next chapter of East Africa’s underground bass movement.
Stage highlights
Main Stage: Genre-Bending and Boundary-Pushing
True to BTB tradition, the Main Stage blends global and local sounds into a journey that transitions seamlessly from hip hop to amapiano, Afro-house, gqom, and 3-Step. Expect dynamic headline performances alongside some of the most exciting Kenyan artists shaping the moment.
The Twisted Fig : The Heartbeat of House Music
A dedicated home for lovers of House & Deep House, the Twisted Fig builds from warm, feel-good grooves into powerful late-night sets. With artists like Evan Rhodes and Sunset Groove Collective, the stage delivers the quintessential BTB sundowner and night-time experience.
The Valley Stage: The Roots & The Future
Anchored by the mighty Umojah Soundsystem, the Valley pays tribute to the festival’s past while embracing cutting-edge global bass culture.
- 30th Dec: Umojah Selektas take control with their signature dub-driven energy.
- 31st Dec: Outlook Festival launches their takeover, bringing together bass pioneers from across Kenya and the world.
The Frelanda Stage: Movement, Energy, and Genre Fusion
The Frelanda Stage offers two distinct curations:
- 30th Dec: A WIRA takeover championing the coastal Afro-House scene
- 31st Dec: A genre-blending lineup headlined by TG BLK, exploring Hip-Hop, Alté, Alt-Rap, and the rising wave of hybrid sounds defining youth culture today.
Baobab Studio Stage : Experimental, Forward-Thinking, Unapologetically Original
Returning for its second year, the Baobab Studio Stage now steps into a clearer identity spotlighting boundary-pushing artists, beatmakers, and producers redefining modern East
African sound. This is where innovation, culture and creativity flourish.
A Festival with Something for Everyone
Across five stages, this year’s full lineup reinforces BTB’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and community-driven culture. From Afro-house to hip hop, arbantone to amapiano, bass to live and traditional music, the festival promises an immersive New Year’s celebration where every music lover finds a home.
Beneath the Baobabs continues to champion East African artistry while building meaningful ties to the global alternative scene ensuring that the coast remains a place where creativity thrives, and where all are welcome under the Baobabs.
