The Pacific Northwest’s Biggest Afrobeats Festival Returns

BLASTFEST 2026 announces Wizkid, Mustard, Shenseea, Tyler ICU, Pheelz & BLAST.

Now entering its fourth year, BLASTFEST has quickly become one of the fastest-growing global music festivals in the Pacific Northwest.

SEATTLE, WA — The Pacific Northwest’s premier celebration of Afrobeats and global music returns this summer as BLASTFEST announces the artists for its biggest lineup yet. The 4th annual festival will take over Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion on Saturday, July 18, bringing together some of the most influential voices shaping dance floors around the world.

The 2026 lineup features Grammy-winning superstars Wizkid, Mustard, and Shenseea, alongside South African Amapiano hitmaker Tyler ICU, Afrobeats standout Pheelz, and festival founder BLAST.

“What started as a dream to bring Afrobeats to Seattle has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined,” said Bobby “BLAST” Akinboro, founder and CEO of BLASTFEST. “Four years in, we’re proving that global culture belongs here. BLASTFEST is about connecting Africa to the Pacific Northwest and showing the world that Seattle deserves a place on the global festival map.”

Since its debut, BLASTFEST has become one of the region’s most exciting cultural events, celebrating the global rise of African music and its influence across genres. The 2026 festival expands its sonic palette with a vibrant mix of Afrobeats, Amapiano, Reggae, and Hip-Hop, reflecting the sounds currently dominating clubs and festivals worldwide.

For the first time, BLASTFEST will be a 21+ festival experience, allowing organizers to expand the event’s nightlife-inspired atmosphere and immersive programming throughout the venue.

What to Expect at BLASTFEST 2026
• The first-ever 21+ edition of the festival
• Amusement park rides and festival attractions throughout the venue
• A vibrant indoor and outdoor beer garden experience
• Exclusive lounge access for VIP and Diamond ticket holders
• Interactive partner activations with samples, experiences, and giveaways
• A curated small business marketplace featuring local entrepreneurs
• Seattle’s best food vendors representing the city’s diverse culinary scene

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, April 14, at 10:00 AM PST via blastmusicfest.com.

Fans can follow for updates, giveaways, and exclusive content:
Instagram: @blastmusicfest
Facebook: @blastmusicfest
TikTok: @blastmusicfestival
YouTube: @blastmusicfest
X: @blastmusicfest

Previously featured in: Billboard • OkayAfrica • Seattle Times

BLASTFEST 2026 SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Uber • BECU • Verizon • Delta Air Lines • TIDAL • lululemon • Pepsi • D’USSÉ • Grey Goose • Tequila Herradura • Belaire • Shotgun.live • LMNT • Sparkling Ice • Cort Party Rentals • 4Culture

ABOUT BLAST
Born in Nigeria and raised in Texas, Bobby “BLAST” Akinboro is a Seattle-based DJ, cultural curator, and community leader dedicated to connecting the African diaspora through music, culture, and education. He currently serves as the game-day DJ for the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Storm, and previously for the Seattle Mariners.
Beyond the stage, Akinboro is the founder of BLAST Haus, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering the next generation through culture, wellness, and technology. Through its core
initiatives: BLAST Academy, which provides free DJ education for youth; BLAST Flow, which offers classes promoting mental and physical wellness; The BLAST Scholarship, which supports high-achieving African American college students; and Culture & Tech, a seminar series exploring the intersection of culture and emerging technologies. BLAST Haus is building meaningful pathways for creativity, opportunity, and community impact.
Through BLASTFEST and BLAST Haus, Akinboro continues to create platforms that celebrate African culture while investing in the future of the communities that inspire it.

About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of Seattle and home to more than 30 partner organizations, including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others. Anchored by world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events centered around the iconic International Fountain, Seattle Center brings together arts, culture, sports, and community year-round.
As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts and Cultural District, Seattle Center serves residents from across the Puget Sound region alongside visitors from around the world.
In partnership with Friends of Waterfront Park, Seattle Center provides operations, maintenance, and public safety services for Waterfront Park, while Friends leads park experience, programming, and stewardship along Seattle’s downtown waterfront.
Seattle Center welcomes nearly 12 million visits annually, generating nearly $3.3 billion in total economic activity, supporting 19,400 jobs, and producing more than $37 million in local tax revenue for the City of Seattle.
With the support of our Official Partners — Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank — Seattle Center is the #1 most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest.
seattlecenter.com

Contact

Bobby “BLAST” Akinboro | info@blastmusicfestival.com