Afrobeats Summer Groove draws crowd to Thompson
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More than 150 people packed the Regal Beagle Tavern on Saturday as Thompson’s Afrobeats community celebrated what organizers say was the largest Afrobeats live music event in northern Manitoba’s history.
Afrobeat Summer Groove ‘26 featured performances from MGL The Specialist, Northbound Revival, DJ Paris Link, DJ UNFCKWTBL, A-FIX and Thompson-based Afro-fusion artist Babatunde “SCUD” Adewole.
The event was organized by Adewole through Attical Global Entertainment and funded by the Manitoba Arts Council, with community support from the Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation.
More than 150 people attended Afrobeat Summer Groove ‘26 at the Regal Beagle Tavern in Thompson on Aug. 29. (Babatunde Adewole)
Adewole, who has spent the past year building a recurring Afrobeats and Black-music scene in Thompson through Afrobeats Nights, said the turnout demonstrated the demand for live music and cultural events in the North.
“This was the biggest night this city has ever hosted for this kind of music, and it happened because the community showed up for it,” Adewole said.
“Thompson has always had the talent. What we did on Saturday was prove there’s an audience here too and that this city can hold something this big.”
The event also marked the public launch of Afri North Economic Development Initiative, a new not-for-profit founded by Adewole.
The organization aims to support Black, Indigenous and people of colour artists across northern Manitoba through assistance with grant navigation, professional development and performance opportunities.
The launch builds on the goals Adewole outlined ahead of the concert, when he said northern artists should be able to develop their careers without having to leave their communities for larger cities.
The evening also incorporated food and community programming. Early-bird ticket holders received free jollof rice, sponsored by the Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation.
For Adewole, the event’s success represents more than a single sold-out or well-attended night. It is part of a broader effort to establish the infrastructure needed for artists in northern Manitoba to create, perform and build sustainable careers.
Adewole, who performs under the name SCUD, launched Afrobeats Nights in January. The recurring event series has brought together members of Thompson’s growing African diaspora community and introduced audiences to Afrobeats and other Black music.
His work has also attracted recognition outside the North. Adewole was recently nominated for Afrobeats Artist of the Year at the 2026 Western Canadian Music Awards and performed at the international New Skool Rules music conference and showcase in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in May.
» Winnipeg Sun