Afronation is a global music festival that features African and Caribbean music genres. The festival has seen locations such as Portugal, Puerto Rico, Ghana, and most recently, Miami Florida. We attended their Miami festival in late May during Memorial Day Weekend. Initially, we were skeptical due to mixed reviews we had heard, but we decided to take the chance. We opted for the Golden Ticket, priced at around $630 per person, which included VIP admission to the 2-day festival, access to the pre and after-parties, Afronation merchandise, and an exclusive lounge inside the venue. While we wish there had been more promotions for the group discounts, the perks of the Golden Ticket seemed worthwhile. Now, let's dive into our review and see if Afronation lived up to the hype.
The Lineup: Who No Like Enjoyment?
As soon as the lineup dropped, we were SOLD. This festival seemed too epic to miss, and it was perfect timing as we also celebrated our fellow gem, Jada’s birthday. Say less. The lineup was instantly exciting, featuring our favs such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Asake, Rema, Fireboy DML, and MORE. We were a bit disappointed that Davido, Tems, and Ayra Starr were not included, but overall, the lineup was impressive.
The Pre-Party: The Perfect Prelude to an Epic Weekend
The festival was set to start on Saturday and Sunday and prior to that (Friday night), Afronation hosted a pre-party to get us excited for the weekend’s festivities. The pre-party was full of vibrant vibes and great music that catered to everyone's taste. The only con was that it was exclusive to Golden Ticket holders, and we wished it had been open to all attendees, as some of our cousins with General Admission tickets missed out.
The Concert: 2 Days Full of Fire Performances
Arriving at 6 PM on both days allowed us access to the front without any hassle. However, the General Admission seating was pretty far from the stage and it’s unclear if those seated there enjoyed it in the same way that we did. As the night progressed, attendees started to force their way to the front and we were not having any wahala! Security could have been quicker to address the rowdiness in the crowd but thankfully we were still able to enjoy the show. Despite these minor issues, the venue never felt overcrowded, but better access to water would have been appreciated.
As for the performances, Asake's unmatched energy had us dancing and singing along, creating an atmosphere of pure enjoyment. Burna Boy took the stage and delivered a performance that left us breathless. His magnetic stage presence and infectious energy electrified the crowd. There is no doubt that he is truly the African Giant.
Day 2 was just as epic! Rema brought that vibrant energy pumping up the crowd with songs like Soundgasm, Dumebi, and Calm Down. And when Wizkid graced the stage, his flawless setlist had no skips, and we nearly lost our voices singing along to all of his chart-topping hits!
Transportation: Tips for Getting in and Out of the Venue
Staying close to the venue helped us avoid traffic congestion, so we recommend it if possible. However, leaving the venue was a nightmare, with long waits for Ubers and Lyfts. It took us nearly an hour to get a ride out of the venue even after walking 20 minutes away from the festival location. We suggest leaving early or arranging alternative transportation to avoid chaos.
After Parties: The Memo We Might Have Missed
The afterparty, scheduled for Monday night, the day after the concert, unfortunately, overlapped with our departure, so we couldn't attend. Most people flew back home this day so we’re sure a lot of people had to miss out on the post-festival party. We were even looking for things to do on Sunday and most of the events were ending by the time the concert was over.
So Is Afronation Actually Worth It?
Afronation was definitely worth it, particularly for those with Golden or VIP tickets. General Admission didn't seem worth it, considering the distant seating, lack of merchandise, long lines, and no access to lounges or parties. Despite some transportation and coordination issues, we had the time of our lives at Afronation Miami and will definitely consider attending more of their festivals in the future!
To learn more about Afronation, visit: usa.afronation.com