Couleur Café Festival is an annual world and urban contemporary music festival taking place around the end of June or early July in Brussels, Belgium.
History At its inception in 1990, the festival was organised in the Halles de Schaerbeek/Hallen van Schaarbeek, a cultural centre in the Schaerbeek municipality. In 1994, following work on the Halles de Schaerbeek, the festival moved to the Tour & Taxis site, north-west of the Pentagon (Brussels' city centre). From its 2017 edition, it has been held on the Heysel/Heizel Plateau in northern Brussels, near the Atomium.
Description The scope of the three-day festival lies on world music with as main styles funk, hiphop, reggae, dance, dub, soul, Latin, blues and rock divided over four stages. Internationally famous acts as well as less known talent or locally popular musicians are represented. Apart from the music itself, there is also a large art exposition, a market with young designers, dance workshops, cocktail bars and food stands from a worldwide variety of kitchens (fifty countries). Festival visitors can camp nearby at Camping Zen.
In 2014, the entire event counted 72,000 visitors over three days.
Featured performers Performers at previous festivals included:
1990: Angélique Kidjo, Irakere, Mamady Keita, Papa Wemba, Zap Mama 1991: Mory Kanté 1992: Angélique Kidjo, Papa Wemba, The Wailers 1993: Classic Swédé Swédé, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, Manu Dibango, Galliano, Mother Earth 1994: Johnny Clegg, Mory Kanté, Herbie Hancock 1995: Koffi Olomide, Terence Trent D'Arby, Odex Protocole 1996: Galliano, Habib Koité, Noa, The Believers 1997: Asian Dub Foundation, Maceo Parker, Youssou N’Dour, Ziggy Marley 1998: Ciocarlia, Daniela Mercury, Famoudou Konaté, Jimmy Cliff, Khadja Nin, Mamady Keita, Mory Kanté, Natacha Atlas, Starflam, Odex Protocole 1999: Cheb Mami, Faudel, Femi Kuti, Krewcial, P18, Zap Mama 2000: Alpha Blondy, Amadou & Mariam, Asian Dub Foundation, Candy Dulfer, Orishas, Postmen, The Herbaliser, The Skatalites, The Wailers, Youssou N'Dour, Tomas & Co 2001: Baaba Maal, Burning Spear, Carlinhos Brown, Culture, Khaled, Ozomatli, Starflam, Zuco 103 2002: Cesária Évora, Daniela Mercury, Horace Andy, Mory Kanté, Orishas, P18, Sizzla, Wawadadakwa, Zuco 103 2003: Amparanoia, Asian Dub Foundation, I Muvrini, Israel Vibration, Zaïko Langa Langa, Jimmy Cliff, Kana, Mad Professor, Ojos De Brujo 2004: Amparanoia, Ska-P, Souad Massi, Babylon Circus, Amp Fiddler, Gabriel Ríos, Starflam 2005: Alpha Blondy, Arno, Femi Kuti, Jah Shaka, Jane Birkin, Kool Shen, Maceo Parker, Magnus, Mahala Raï Banda, Orishas, Rokia Traoré, Youssou N'Dour, Zap Mama, Zita Swoon 2006: Amparanoia, Burning Spear, Cali, Gabriel Ríos, George Clinton, Gilberto Gil, Ivete Sangalo, James Brown, Louise Attaque, Off The Record, Patrick Watson, Saïan Supa Crew, Think Of One, Third World, Toumani Diabaté, Tracy Chapman, Vive la Fête, Fab Faya 2007: Buscemi, Cassius, Daan, Dj Mehdi, Gotan Project, Kelis, Puggy, Sean Paul, The Roots, The Tellers, Ziggy Marley, Johnny Clegg 2008: Aṣa, Erykah Badu, Gentleman, Jimmy Cliff, Kassav', Kery James, Natacha Atlas, Orishas, Zucchero 2009: Amadou & Mariam, Alpha Blondy, Arno, Asian Dub Foundation, Babylon Circus, Ben Harper, Benabar, Cesária Évora, Emir Kusturica, Khaled, Keziah Jones, Magic System, Mamady Keita, Oi Va Voi, Ozomatli, Rohff, Selah Sue, Shameboy, Solomon Burke, The Skatalites, Zap Mama 2010: 1060, Diam's, Ebony Bones, Femi Kuti, George Clinton, Hindi Zahra, Papa Wemba, Rox, Scylla, Selah Sue, Snoop Dogg, Soprano, Staff Benda Bilili 2011: Absynthe Minded, Alborosie, Arsenal, DJ Shadow, Merdan Taplak, Seal, Selah Sue, Yael Naim, Ziggy Marley, Ziggi Recado 2012: Jessie J, Erykah Badu, Tinariwen, Sean Paul, De La Soul, Gentleman, Kaer, Stephen Marley, Public Enemy, Gogol Bordello 2013: Neneh Cherry, Aloe Blacc, Maceo Parker, Andy Allo, Faithless, Jimmy Cliff, Matisyahu, Fat Freddy's Drop, Mos Def, Salif Keita, Kery James, Joeystarr 2014: (planned): Basement Jaxx, Bootsy Collins and the Funk Unity Band, Dizzee Rascal, Parov Stelar Band, Tiken Jah Fakoly, De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, Dilated Peoples, Girls in Hawaii, Puggy, Morcheeba, Soldout, Seeed, Seun Kuti, La Yegros, Skip & Die, Iron Ites, Captain Steel, Root Pursuit, The Rudies, Burning Spear, Tricky, Ben Howard, Chinese Man, The Subs, Keziah Jones, Chance The Rapper, Laura Mvula, Akua Naru, Cuban Beats All Stars, Veence Hanao, Oyster Node, Selectah Nesta, What It Is, Asian Dub Foundation, Alpha Blondy, Jurassic 5, Blitz The Ambassador, Magnus LIVE, Gabriel Ríos, John Butler Trio, Ky-Mani Marley, Youssoupha, Protoje & The Indiggnation, Danakil, The Soul Rebels, Suarez, Little Collin 2015: 1995, Alborosie, Arsenal, Bigflo & Oli, Branko, Buraka Som Sistema, Busta Rhymes, Caravan Palace, Collie Buddz, Crystal Fighters, Cypress Hill, Dub Inc, Ester Rada, Flavia Coelho, G-Eazy, Gentleman, Groundation, Hiatus Kaiyote, Israel Vibration, Jah9, Joey Bada$$, Jupiter & Okwess International, Kasai Allstars, Kavinsky, La Chiva Gantiva, La Fine Equipe, Lefto, Midnite, Milky Chance, Modestep, Naâman, Oddisee, Palenke Soultribe, Pink Oculus, Sergent Garcia, Shantel, SOJA, Starflam, Superdiscount, Tarrus Riley, The Magician, Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean, Xavier Rudd 2016: Akua Naru, Alpha Wann, Apollo Brown, Arno, Atomic Spliff, Black Box Revelation, Bomba Estereo, Brigitte, Bunny Wailer, CHIC ft. Nile Rodgers, Chicos y Mendez, Chronixx, Clap! Clap!, Claptone, Cunninlynguists, De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, De La Soul, Elito Reve & Su Charangon, Féfé, G.A.N, Ghinzu, Goran Bregovic, GRANDGEORGE, Hudson Mohawke, Ibeyi, Inna Modja, Jamie Woon, Jeremy Loops, Julian Marley, Kano, Kassav, Kel Assouf, Kwabs, LTGL, Magic System, Method Man & Redman, MHD, Morgan Heritage, Mr. Vegas, Nneka Omar Souleyman, Oxmo Puccino, Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band, Pomrad, Protoje, Quantic, Raging Fyah, Roméo Elvis & Le Motel, Selah Sue, Soprano, St Paul and the Broken Bones, Trixie Whitley, Woodie Smalls, Young Fathers, Youssou N'Dour
2017 Red Stage Green Stage Blue Stage Elektropedia Black Stage Friday 30 June Ronnie Flex & Deuxperience BandPatrice-M- presents LamomaliOrishas Pura VidaKabaka Pyramid & The Bebble RockersValdRoméo Elvis x Le MotelBirdy Nam Nam J BernardtFlavia CoelhoFatimaSango Goodfellas Sound System x Supafly Collective Saturday 1 July Yaniss OduaOumou SangaréEmir Kusturica & The No Smoking OrchestraToots and The MaytalsThe Roots SysmoScyllaCoelyNiveau4Tomi & Su Timbalight Daniel DzidzonuDemi PortionLa Dame BlancheBalojiLeFtOCompact Disk Dummies Goodfellas Sound System x Supafly Collective Sunday 2 July Jungle by NightKery JamesAlpha BlondyFlatbush ZombiesDamian "Jr. Gong" Marley Caballero & JeanjassJupiter & OkwessLil DickyLianne La Havas (solo)Deluxe Soom TJmsnPrincess NokiaLoyle CarnerGuts Live BandBatuk Goodfellas Sound System x Supafly Collective
2018 Red Stage Green Stage Blue Stage Black Stage Friday 29 June DamsoAlborosieAngèleAmadou & Mariam Selah SueIbeyiPanda DubDubioza KolektivMelanie De Biasio MahaliaOddisseeTogo All starsThe Color GreyMakala, Di-meh, Slim K Saturday 30 June BlackwaveGeorge ClintonNaamanChronixxResidente Gregory PorterAkua NaruTemetanLeon BridgesUnderachievers AliaNiveau4El Caribe FunkTank & The BangasJuicyDe palenque a matonge Sunday 1 July CoelyMilky ChanceZiggy MarleyYoung ThugChinese Man Calypso RoseStikstofLee FieldsTarrius RileyFatoumata Diawara MasegoL'or du communMeta MetaSminoLe 77Chico y Mendes
2019 Red Stage Green Stage Blue Stage Black Stage Friday 28 June Sean Paul Zwangere GuyXavier RuddKabaka Pyramid WizkidMick JenkinsNight LovellKokorokoLes Amazones D'Afrique Arp FriqueLa YegrosSamory-IKojaqueDvtch Norris Saturday 29 June Craig David presents TS5Salif KeitaGentlemanJoyner LucasInna De Yard Kamasi WashingtonTaminoHamzaNiveau4 XXLVeence Hanao & Le Motel LoudOshunBCUCHollie CookShayfeen&MaddBombataz Sunday 30 June Ms. Lauryn HillGoran BregovicTiken Jah FakolyProtoje AmparanoiaGroundationRejjie SnowThe Cat EmpireKokoko! IshaSampa The GreatGlauqueKabolaLachy Y la Suprema LeyMartha Da'ro
2020–21 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, the 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled.
2022 Red StageGreen StageBlack StageDub StageFriday 24 JuneFally IpupaZwangere GuyKoffeeYoussou N'DourPanda DubThe Comet is ComingCaballero & JeanJassBlaiz FayahJungle By NightDJ MaphorisaBlack MotionDJ Nigga FoxBlck MambaO.B.F. Sound SystemReggaebus ft Omar PerryWeeding DubStand High Patrol DJ-SetBlackbird SoundsystemSaturday 25 JuneShaggyPongoAfrontalYemi AladeLila IkéFRONTAL SoundsystemOmah LayNiveau4BasIAMDDBLee FieldsCarl CraigRomareDeena AbdelwahedDC SalasAba Shtani-IJah ObserverCrucial AlphonsoMad Codiouf ft ReggaebusNatural SkankingSunday 26 JuneNathy PelusoDub IncStikstofAJ TraceySampha The GreatBCUCMr EaziTiiwTiiwCimafunkElidad AlmeidaLefto Early BirdGilles PetersonPhilou LouzoloLa DameO.B.F Soundsystem ft Charlie P & Sr WilsonManudigital ft Carporal NegusZion TrainReggaebusO.B.F Sound System
2023 Red StageGreen StageThe FoxBlack StageDub StageFriday 23 JuneRoméo ElvisFireboy DMLSOJAblackwave.Ayra StarrEarl SweatshirtThundercatNazaKarpe: Omar SheriffECHT!PeetJaz EliseSofia GabannaM.CHUZIDanilo Plessow (MCDE)Coco EmDTM FunkCoco MariaKankaMahomDub EngineBisouReggaebus SoundsystemSaturday 24 JuneProtojeTAYCCoelySeun Kuti & Egypt 80MortimerInnoss'BNiveau4BNXNArrDeeOrchestra BaobabLander & AdriaanCompota de MananaJazz BrakJUICYKuna MazeJyotyKampireNídiaYooth x Bona LéaWicked and Bonny ft BeriseIration SteppasKing Shiloh + Black OmoloJoe Yorke & PurkinsReggaebus SoundSystemSunday 25 JuneJoey Bada$$Black SherifTash SultanaGente de ZonaKabaka PyramidLondon Afrobeat CollectiveISHAEARTHGANGThe CavemenYENDRYLa JungleKin'gongolo KiniataNeue Grafik EnsembleFlohioReinel BakoleDJ VegaBrankoDJ LagM I M IVandalAnthony B ft. Little Lion SoundReggaebus SoundSystemLittle Lion SoundAtili
2024 Red Stage Green Stage The Fox Black Stage Dub Stage La Plancha Friday 28 June Julian MarleyDisizFrenna & The GangMasego MerylJesse RoyalSiRGhettsBlaqbonez Hilk van JMFMonoNeonDIKKESwingKabola NinetteGolden ZeboraBurunTumaVHOORMusa Keys METTA FREQUENCIES ft Anthony JohnAba Shanti-I meets Jah ObserverAlpha Steppa & Awa FallSumac DubReggaebus SoundsystemImperial Sound Army ManteigaSylviaMambele Saturday 29 June Steel PulseFerre GolaLila IkéAction BronsonBad Gyal Nubya GarciaCompota de MananaBrihangBiga*RanxBroederliefde MorganMartha Da'roCristaleTUKANAunty RayzorCatu Diosis RaQL b2b Bo MengMoonshineJAELSkyla Tylaa Roots ExplosionReggaebus SoundSystemMafia & Fluxy meets Megumi MesakuIseo & DodosoundTetra Hydro K Papi da SilvaDJ NCEkany Zondag 30 juni Romain VirgoCharlotte Adigéry & Bolis PupulStikstofTemsSidiki Diabaté Sho MadjoziFatoumata DiawaraBusy SignalNIVEAU4JPEGMafia STACELord ApexNubiyan TwistJah LilFulu Miziki Kolektiv Cheb RunnerPaula TapeBibi SeckAustin Millz Reggabus SoundsystemUnlisted Fanatic presents the UFO CollectiveSanga Mama Africa ft Black OmoloTelly*JAELO.B.F x Iration Steppas DJ G-LoDJ iNessIce-TCuuurtis
2025