World Groove Festival
Saturday, 27 September 2025
- Time
- 17:30 - 23:00
- Venue
- Reading Minster, Reading, RG1 2LG
- Price
- £22.38
World Groove Festival is a unique cultural celebration that brings together artists from across the world
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Festival Overview
World Groove Festival 2025 invites you on a vibrant journey around the globe right in the heart of Reading. Set against the stunning backdrop of Reading Minster (St Mary’s Butts, RG1 2LG), the festival will take place on Saturday, 27th September 2025, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM .
Immerse yourself in a night of world music, dance, and cultural celebration—featuring electrifying performances that unite global rhythms with local community spirit. Organized by World Groove CIC, this inclusive festival celebrates reading’s multicultural identity and the universal power of music to connect and inspire .
Featured Artists
The headline lineup presents an eclectic and boundary-crossing mix of performers, including:
Ganda Boys – Originally from Uganda and based in London, this dynamic duo delivers soulful, Afro-fusion anthems renowned for their emotional potency and connection. Their song “The Forgotten People” even attracted the attention of 21 GRAMMY-winning artists, and Stevie Wonder has publicly endorsed them .
Imperio Bamba – A fiery “Chichafrodelic” ensemble blending psychedelic Afro-Peruvian, Chicha, and Latin rhythms. Members from South America (Cono Sur) channel their heritage to create a vibrant sense of community and belonging through music .
Cheng Yu – A world-class virtuoso on the traditional pipa (Chinese lute) and guqin (Chinese zither). Since relocating to the UK, Cheng Yu has performed with luminaries like Lang Lang, Damon Albarn, Tan Dun, and Gabriel Prokofiev .
Diyaar Daf – The UK’s only all-female Iranian daf ensemble, using the ancient Persian frame drum to empower and amplify women’s voices through rhythm and tradition .
Kryla Choir with Zorya and Balamuty Dancers – Formed by members from Kyiv who relocated to Reading early in the war, Kryla (Ukrainian for “Wings”) formed at the Ukrainian Centre, offering a blend of vocal and dance artistry rooted in resilience and cultural pride .
Additionally, the festival will be formally opened by the Mayor of Reading, who will also deliver a speech to welcome attendees .
Tickets & Highlights
Tickets: Adults pay approximately £22.38 (including a booking fee), and entry is free for under-13s . Each adult purchase also includes one free entry to the raffle, which features exciting prizes such as a night at Premier Suites, a guitar lesson with Pete Doyle of PlayTheGuitar.co.uk, a bottle of bubbly—and more .
Join us for World Groove Festival 2025—an electrifying celebration of global music, culture, and community in Reading! Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Reading Minster on Saturday, 27th September, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, this one-night event brings together a breathtaking lineup:
Ganda Boys, delivering soulful Afro-fusion from Uganda,
Imperio Bamba, spinning psychedelic Afro-Peruvian and Chicha beats,
Cheng Yu, showcasing the artistry of Chinese pipa and guqin,
Diyaar Daf, the UK’s leading all-women Iranian daf ensemble,
Kryla Choir with Zorya & Balamuty Dancers, embodying Ukrainian resilience through song and dance.
The evening opens with a welcome speech from the Mayor of Reading. Adult tickets cost £22.38, with free entry for children under 13, and include a raffle entry for prizes like a hotel stay, guitar lesson, and bubbly. A fully licensed, card-only bar adds to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
More than a concert, World Groove is a movement—partnering with community groups and sponsors to celebrate diversity, nurture global connections, and commit to sustainability in every beat.
World Groove Festival 2025 invites you on a vibrant journey around the globe right in the heart of Reading. Set against the stunning backdrop of Reading Minster (St Mary’s Butts, RG1 2LG), the festival will take place on Saturday, 27th September 2025, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM .
Immerse yourself in a night of world music, dance, and cultural celebration—featuring electrifying performances that unite global rhythms with local community spirit. Organized by World Groove CIC, this inclusive festival celebrates reading’s multicultural identity and the universal power of music to connect and inspire .
Featured Artists
The headline lineup presents an eclectic and boundary-crossing mix of performers, including:
Ganda Boys – Originally from Uganda and based in London, this dynamic duo delivers soulful, Afro-fusion anthems renowned for their emotional potency and connection. Their song “The Forgotten People” even attracted the attention of 21 GRAMMY-winning artists, and Stevie Wonder has publicly endorsed them .
Imperio Bamba – A fiery “Chichafrodelic” ensemble blending psychedelic Afro-Peruvian, Chicha, and Latin rhythms. Members from South America (Cono Sur) channel their heritage to create a vibrant sense of community and belonging through music .
Cheng Yu – A world-class virtuoso on the traditional pipa (Chinese lute) and guqin (Chinese zither). Since relocating to the UK, Cheng Yu has performed with luminaries like Lang Lang, Damon Albarn, Tan Dun, and Gabriel Prokofiev .
Diyaar Daf – The UK’s only all-female Iranian daf ensemble, using the ancient Persian frame drum to empower and amplify women’s voices through rhythm and tradition .
Kryla Choir with Zorya and Balamuty Dancers – Formed by members from Kyiv who relocated to Reading early in the war, Kryla (Ukrainian for “Wings”) formed at the Ukrainian Centre, offering a blend of vocal and dance artistry rooted in resilience and cultural pride .
Additionally, the festival will be formally opened by the Mayor of Reading, who will also deliver a speech to welcome attendees .
Tickets & Highlights
Tickets: Adults pay approximately £22.38 (including a booking fee), and entry is free for under-13s . Each adult purchase also includes one free entry to the raffle, which features exciting prizes such as a night at Premier Suites, a guitar lesson with Pete Doyle of PlayTheGuitar.co.uk, a bottle of bubbly—and more .
Join us for World Groove Festival 2025—an electrifying celebration of global music, culture, and community in Reading! Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Reading Minster on Saturday, 27th September, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, this one-night event brings together a breathtaking lineup:
Ganda Boys, delivering soulful Afro-fusion from Uganda,
Imperio Bamba, spinning psychedelic Afro-Peruvian and Chicha beats,
Cheng Yu, showcasing the artistry of Chinese pipa and guqin,
Diyaar Daf, the UK’s leading all-women Iranian daf ensemble,
Kryla Choir with Zorya & Balamuty Dancers, embodying Ukrainian resilience through song and dance.
The evening opens with a welcome speech from the Mayor of Reading. Adult tickets cost £22.38, with free entry for children under 13, and include a raffle entry for prizes like a hotel stay, guitar lesson, and bubbly. A fully licensed, card-only bar adds to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
More than a concert, World Groove is a movement—partnering with community groups and sponsors to celebrate diversity, nurture global connections, and commit to sustainability in every beat.
Venue
Reading Minster
St Mary's Butts,
Reading
RG1 2LG
Dates
The event runs from 17:30 to 23:00 on the following dates.
Select a date to add this event to your calendar app.
