Nigerian Afrobeats star Teni headlined the 18th Annual ACANA Festival on Sunday, delivering a 45-minute set that had a crowd of thousands dancing and chanting “we love you” at Cherry Street Pier on Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.
The free, family-friendly event ran from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, organised by the African Cultural Alliance of North America as part of the PECO Multicultural Series.
Teni took the stage in the early evening, performing hits including “Case,” “Uyo Meyo” and “For You.” She also drew from her six-track EP “Wellness Package,” released on 24 July, nine days before the festival.
Attendees spanning multiple generations packed the waterfront venue. The singer’s set blended her signature humour, storytelling and powerful vocals. Her choreography and crowd engagement kept the pier in constant motion.
The main stage was co-hosted by MC McKinzie (LizzyMc) and Mathos Sokolo, who also anchored all show segments. The supporting lineup featured CIC, Batala Philly, Prince LI, DJ Solo Nasty and Playb0i August.
Beyond the music, the festival offered a marketplace of over 45 vendors selling traditional crafts and clothing, alongside food stalls serving jollof rice, fufu and other African staples. Organisers reported no security incidents.
