On Producing Synchro System: An African Music Festival
13hrs of non-stop music. 20+ DJs across 3 Stages, 1000+ people. One Historic Night In Toronto
On August 16th, I wrapped up an incredible run as Festival Producer for Synchro System: An African Music Festival.
Created by the DJ trio Afrique Like Me (ALM), the festival was hailed by Billboard Canada as the first of its kind in Toronto—bringing together 20+ DJs for 13 hours of non-stop African-inspired sounds across two stages (indoor + outdoor), plus a vinyl listening room curated by the Pan-African rockstar, Lady Donli.
As the Festival Producer, I was responsible for overseeing the entire production of the event. From the run-of-show, stage management, artist liaison, hospitality, media, vendor coordination, door staffing, security, health and safety… to a team of 60+ people on-site. In summary, my role was to make sure that every moving part came together seamlessly, allowing the artists and audiences to fully immerse themselves in the 13-hour experience.
I’ve always loved attending events by ALM. They bring the best vibe and attract some of the best people in this city. So, when they asked me to take on this role for the festival, I immediately understood what they were trying to accomplish, and I really wanted to support it.
My 14-year career has taken me through a variety of production roles. From producing the CEO’s Leadership Offsite at Dropbox biannually, to working as Photography Director for ART X Lagos, however, I’ve never produced a music festival before. What I did know was how to break down a complicated set and lead with clarity. I trusted my skills to carry me through, but honestly, I was truly fortunate with this role.
For starters, it took me calling in favours—from bringing in some friends to work with me for the first time, to others doing me a solid because we couldn’t yet afford their services. Every single request was met with some version of “say less”, and without hesitation, they all came through.
And then my team as a whole, full of new faces I’d never collaborated with before, yet I’d never felt so trusted and respected, with everyone pulling their weight and then some. The common thread was clear: we were all there because we believed in ALM and wanted their first festival to succeed. We also understood what that success would mean for the culture. They watched my back, went above their scope, and held the fort. I was so proud of all of their work; it gave me space to lead without micromanaging. Rare and refreshing.
I haven’t even mentioned the energy from the crowd. It was everything—diverse, warm, safe, and wildly supportive. We got the whole city out. Even my introverted friends were out past midnight. Everywhere I turned, I saw different groups mingling, laughing and dancing; the vibe was deeply communal. Even as I worked, friends and strangers did not hesitate to share a word of appreciation, or ask if I needed anything. I would occasionally catch members of the Security team breaking into solo dance sessions every now and then. Our food vendors went till 4 AM, making sure that everyone was well fed throughout the event. I was filled with pride every time I moved through the space. 13 hours, 1000+ people. Zero incidents reported.
And then, the lineup. Not only were they all the sweetest, chillest people to work with—they were also on time! And because every act showed up ready, I was able to keep the show running right on schedule, and that, to me, is a big feat. All the way down to our Headliner, Sarz—one of the most talented and most humble of guys. Big shout-out to the lighting and sound team, too, for keeping everything locked and ready to go.
I’ve lived in Toronto on-and-off since 2006, but I’ve never witnessed anything like this—a space where Africans in the diaspora, together with our wider community, felt safe enough to gather and celebrate the alternative African sounds created by us, in a music festival intentionally organized by us. We all really came together and carved out a historic moment for Toronto.
It was really great, you just had to be there.
I caught a glimpse of a future where I assemble teams like this to bring even more ambitious projects to life. I also walked away more confident in myself as a Producer and a Director, and clearer than ever about the kind of work I want to do—with the right crowd, team, and organizers...a girl can dream.
Stay Curious,
Osẹ̀
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