Afropunk Fest 2017

BY: PROVOKR Staff

Since 2005, The annual Afropunk Festival has highlighted the cross-community of black punks, celebrating the afro-centric side of the punk rock community, which is generally dominated by white acts. Inspired by James Spooner’s 2003 documentary on the topic of black punk rockers in a primarily white sub-culture, the Afropunk festival in Brooklyn was one New York City’s favorite yearly music events.

Of course, these days, the event includes soul and R&B acts, rather than straight-up punk (prompting the exit of festival co-founder James Spooner in 2008), and the headliners this year reflect the broader sensibilities of the modern iteration of the Afropunk Festival.

This year, Afropunk Fest will take over Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn for two days of, as the website says, “live music and good vibes.” Some of the big name acts include Macy Gray, Soul II Soul, Willow Smith, Kaytranda, and the rock and roll guitarist and vocalist, Gary Clark Jr.

The headliners may not be the punk rockers the festival was created to champion, but the roots of the movement are still represented in many of the other acts, from the distilled fist-pumping punk of The Txlips, to the youthful party rockers of The Skins, to many of the other bands who will be present at Afropunk Fest 2017.

The event will take place at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn on August 26 and 27.