Zamrock Allstars: Sampa The Great x W.I.T.C.H.

The Brighton Festival is hitting its 60th year this May, and it looks like things are taking a slightly different direction under the new leadership of Lucy Davies. One of the projects being put together for this anniversary is a collaboration called Zamrock Allstars: Sampa The Great x W.I.T.C.H., which is set for 9 May 2026. It’s being held at the Brighton Dome Concert Hall and brings together the original pioneers of the Zamrock scene, W.I.T.C.H. (fronted by Jagari), with the rapper Sampa The Great. The show is built around the history of Zamrock, a genre that came out of Zambia’s independence and blends psychedelic rock with hip-hop and soul.

The organisers are setting this up as a standing event with no reserved seating, as they’ve invited the artists to treat the Brighton Dome more like a site for a creative intervention than just a standard stage. If you’re looking at the timings for the night, doors are at 19:15, with the music starting at 20:00. There’s an interval at 20:50, and the whole thing should wrap up around 22:30. It’s also worth noting that because of the setup, anyone under 16 needs to be with an adult if they are attending.

As for getting tickets, the window has actually opened today, 19 February 2026, for festival members. If you aren't a member, the general sale starts next week on 26 February 2026. They’ve priced tickets at £25 if you’re under 30, or £35 for everyone else. This is the first time the festival is producing its own original work like this, focusing on a mix of international and local connections. The performance highlights the link between the historical roots of African rock and modern musical styles within the context of the festival's global music programme.