Be United Presents: One Love Nation at the Fringe
This August, Be United returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with One Love Nation — two incredible live music shows on 14 and 15 August at Leith Arches, celebrating exceptional Scotland-based African and Caribbean talent and offering artists the stage they rightfully deserve at the Fringe. Expect a vibrant, tropical setting and great food paired with unforgettable performances.
On Thursday, August 14, prepare for an electrifying set with Eyve, a genre-defying talent weaving Afropop, rap, jazz, and electronic beats with a ballroom twist. Grounded in her Zimbabwean roots and fueled by community spirit, Eyve has already grabbed the attention of the Scottish Alternative Music Awards as a 2024 nominee and was crowned Youth Music’s ‘One to Watch’ for 2025. With support from heavy hitters like BBC 1Xtra and The Skinny, and a resume that includes sharing stages with Moonchild Sanelly, she’s a rising star you won’t want to miss.
Eyve performing at ‘Be United Presents This is Your Fringe’ show. By Papajgun Photography.
She will be joined by Luhangah, a Malawian-born singer-songwriter who delivers powerful messages through a blend of reggae and Afro-rhythmic sounds. Luhangah was a key figure in Malawi’s music scene, founding Afro-jazz and reggae groups such as Souls of the Ghetto and Body, Mind & Soul. His performance history includes major festivals such as Couleur Café, Africa Oye, Lake of Stars, and the London Festival of Architecture.
The second night, Friday 15 August, will feature Harare-born and now Edinburgh-based Sean Focus, whose music draws on afro-pop, dancehall, and hip hop. Sean has earned widespread support from BBC 1Xtra, Capital Xtra, Apple Music Radio, and BBC Introducing. Renowned for his electric live sets, Sean describes his shows simply: ‘Energy. Energy. Energy. And sweat. The stage is my playground.’
Sean Focus at ‘Be United Presents 10 Years of History’ show. By Thandie Lynn Muronzi.
The Friday show will also feature Way Back Home — a music group formed exclusively for One Love Nation, featuring three incredible music artists: Rue Cooper, Ziggy, and Viv Latifa. Rue, hailing from Nassau, Bahamas, and now based in Edinburgh, brings classic gospel melodies that reimagine soul, pop, and R&B for Scotland and beyond. Ziggy, Scottish with Jamaican roots, fuses R&B and soul with reggae and dancehall flair. Viv Latifa, a Togo-Italian singer-songwriter and dancer raised on gospel and R&B legends, rounds out the trio. Together, they promise an unforgettable blend of soca, Afro-fusion, soul, and dancehall — and we cannot wait!
As Be United prepares to announce more exciting acts, Be United’s Creative Director, Collin Hills, sums it up best: “This year promises to be our best Fringe show yet. We’re transforming Leith into a lush tropical haven — complete with music, food, and atmosphere. Everyone should come and feel the love.”
So, mark your calendars and join us as we transform Leith into a tropical paradise, filled with vibrant rhythms, delicious food, and an atmosphere like no other — celebrating the rich, diverse spirit of the Fringe.
This event is supported by Creative Scotland through the Multi-Year Funding Programme and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which also contributes to our work.
One Love Nation shows are part of Pleasance‘s Edinburgh Fringe programme and tickets are available on the Pleasance website. Click here or the button below to secure yours!
