The late Fela Kuti was the first great musician to fuse jazz, funk and soul with highlife and other African rhythms to create Afrobeat: music with the explosive energy of James Brown but the heart and soul of Nigeria.
Fela’s youngest son Seun Kuti has a sound which is just as compelling as he continues his father’s legacy though his famed live shows. Egypt 80 join him on stage with funky horns, chants and kinking beats that will be sure to get you dancing.
Henry Westons Big Top
The Henry Westons Big Top is a purpose built venue situated at the heart of Jazz in the Gardens. Constructed in the classic style of a circus big top, the arena is fully lined and offers tiered seating. High quality sound and lighting production enhance the Festival experience inside this atmospheric jazz venue. Each year, the Big Top and Jazz Arena venues play host to a vast array of acclaimed headliners and rising stars throughout the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
The Henry Westons Big Top capacity increased by 50% to 2,000 seats in 2019, enabling more people to enjoy the most popular events and offering better sightlines to the stage.