Lagos is catching its breath this morning as the annual HOMECOMING™ festival reaches its conclusion today, April 21st. Kicking off last Thursday, April 17th, the multi-day event, masterminded by Grace Ladoja, once again transformed the city into a vibrant “creative playground”, delivering on its promise of cultural exchange across music, fashion, art, and sport. For five days, Lagos pulsed with energy, connecting local talent, the diaspora, and global figures.
The weekend was packed with signature HOMECOMING™ moments. Friday saw the Homecoming Summit, bringing together creatives and thinkers for crucial conversations about the future trajectory of culture. As night fell, the Homecoming Hi-Fi club night lit up the electronic music scene, featuring high-energy sets from names like the superstar DJ Spinall, Aniko, Del Nio, Yanfssss, and WeAreAllChemical.
Sport took center stage with the highly anticipated HOMECOMING™ Cup at Onikan Roundabout. This year’s football tournament featured familiar creative crews like WAFFLESNCREAM, Native Records, Motherlan, StreetSouk, the HOMECOMING™ team, and The Plug FC battling it out. It even saw participation from music stars like ODUMODUBLVCK taking free kicks! Adding a fresh twist was the debut of “THREE90,” a new football concept celebrating speed and skill. After fierce competition, The Plug FC emerged victorious, claiming the 2025 Cup.
Throughout the weekend, fashion and art remained integral pillars, with pop-ups likely showcasing exclusive collaborations and art tours engaging with the city’s creative spaces, continuing HOMECOMING’s tradition of platforming local design alongside international labels.
The musical culmination arrived last night, Sunday, April 20th, with the Homecoming Live Show at Harbour Point. Sticking to its dynamic “playlist-style” format that puts established icons alongside rising stars, the stage featured confirmed performances from heavy hitters like ODUMODUBLVCK, Teni, Cruel Santino, Odunsi The Engine, and Zerry DL, alongside a “Wave 2” lineup including Llona, Famous Pluto, and Kummie, ensuring a packed night celebrating the spectrum of contemporary African sounds.
As HOMECOMING™ 2025 officially concludes today, the main events have drawn to a close, leaving behind the buzz of connections made and collaborations sparked. Once again, the festival has proven itself to be more than just a series of parties; it’s a vital catalyst in Lagos’ cultural ecosystem, solidifying its role in empowering creatives and shaping the global conversation around African talent. Expect the ripples of this weekend’s energy to be felt for months to come.
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