Nigerian Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is scheduled to headline the inaugural “Davido & Friends” concert at the historic Crystal Palace Bowl in South London on Friday, August 14, 2026.
The full-day outdoor festival, organized by Live Nation as part of the Palace Bowl Presents summer festival series, marks a historic milestone as Davido becomes the first Nigerian artist to top the bill at the iconic 65-year-old venue.
The event that will be taking place at the Crystal Palace Bowl, Thicket Road, London will headline music artists like Omah Lay, Black Sherif, Gabzy, TxC, DJ Ecool, Morravey, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela, and Boi Chase.
Announcing the festival, Davido shared via his official X handle: “For the first time ever, I present to you… Davido & Friends Festival. It’s going down at Crystal Palace Bowl on August 14th.”
A spokesperson for Palace Bowl Presents highlighted the significance of the booking: “Davido, often referred to as ‘The King of Afrobeats,’ takes over Crystal Palace Bowl for a massive UK festival exclusive. With over 6 billion streams and a 15-year career shaping global culture, bringing his curated lineup to our historic open-air stage is a landmark moment for London’s summer music season.”
A representative from Live Nation UK added: “The demand for Afrobeats in the UK has reached unprecedented heights. Having Davido curate and headline his own day at Palace Bowl Presents reflects both his monumental global reach and the vibrant energy of the UK fan base.”
The venue is a natural amphitheatre holding up to 15,000 attendees has historically hosted legendary musical acts, making Davido’s headlining show a major cultural moment for the genre. Billed as his only outdoor London appearance of the summer, the concert follows the global success of his fifth studio album and world tour.
