Migration Matters Festival Opening Party

One of the biggest nights of the week YEAR! It has to be the opening party!

In a festival first, our opening party will be hosted at the legendary Yellow Arch Studios, which has nurtured the talents of many Sheffield musicians and artists!

Kefaya & Elaha Soroor:

Afghan singer Elaha Soroor and eclectic London-based ensemble Kefaya have joined forces for a mighty and mesmerising new album, Songs Of Our Mothers; a fresh, vibrant and beautiful take on Afghan folk music filtered through myriad forms, from spiritual jazz and dub to Indian classical music and electronica.

Gnawa Manchester:

Gnawa Manchester brings the hypnotic trance rhythms of Morocco’s Gnawa tradition to UK audiences ---- music that’s far more than a genre, rooted in spiritual performance and centuries of cultural history.

Led by Zakaryae on the guembri (bass guitar), the band delivers a modern fusion sound, weaving Sub-Saharan sacred influences with touches of jazz and blues through an energetic mix of instruments. Expect deep grooves, call-and-response spirit, and an immersive, mystical journey that lifts the room!

Dungi Sapor - Drifting Sound: Echoes Across Tides Presented by Kakilang, Co-Produced with Wildtune, supported by Taiwan Ministry of Culture: DJ Dungi (Dungi Sapor) presents a live set that fuses Taiwanese Amis indigenous vocals with experimental electronic sound. Her performance transforms voice into rhythm, texture, and atmosphere, weaving together layered beats and immersive soundscapes.

Joined by Amis dancers, the set unfolds as a dynamic exchange between sound and movement, where tradition and contemporaneity intersect. Drawing from Indigenous vocal practices and club culture, Dungi creates a distinctive sonic language that is both grounded and forward-looking - inviting audiences into an embodied, resonant listening experience.

Savanna Boys:

A UK based Zimbabwean DJ collective delivering a high‑energy fusion of Amapiano, Afro house and Afro beats, with unmistakable roots straight from the motherland. Their sets are built for movement, rhythm and pure vibe. Once they touch the decks, the room shifts and the party finds its heartbeat.

Expect log drums. Expect groove. Expect a crowd that doesn’t want to go home!