Ibni Rocks: The 10-Year-Old Handpan Prodigy Taking Over Summer 2025 Festivals

Music knows no age. With passion, skill, and creativity, young talent across the world sparkles in the industry… one such handpan player and composer shining ever so brightly. At just 10 years old, Ibni Rocks has already established himself as a handpan artist, composer, and performer. With a professional career that started when he was just three years old, he has progressed from performing with the Master Drummers of Ghana touring across Europe. This summer, he will be performing at two large festivals in Europe, showcasing his one-of-a-kind sound to audiences in Greece and England.

Ibni’s lineup for the summer of 2025 is brimming with excitement. In May, he will perform at the HONA Festival on Naxos Island, Greece, where he will not only take the stage but also teach a workshop. The festival is known for its deep connection to nature and sound and involves a yoga session on the beach. It is the perfect setting for Ibni’s melodic and rhythmic handpan performances, which will be performed alongside big names like Mar Loi, Dan Mulqueen, Maja Wlazly, and Reo Matsumoto.

In July, he will travel to the Semley Music Festival in England. The festival is a celebration of diverse music and arts, so it is the perfect place for Ibni to showcase his talents. Again, he won’t be performing alone; he will also be conducting a workshop, teaching his skills and methods to enthusiastic students. Ibni will perform alongside talents like Omega Nebula, Louis Cardozo, Sari Schorr, and Emily Burridge, among others. 

In addition to his live shows, Ibni is also releasing a brand-new CD called Dragonfly. This follows his first album, Infinity, which took him on a tour across 11 European countries in 2024. Infinity featured ten tracks, all composed and played by Ibni. Like Infinity, Dragonfly promises to take his music further, combining complex and meticulous handpan melodies with his trademark energy and deep emotion. 

Ibni’s talent transcends the concert stage; he has also made waves in the world of theatre, gracing esteemed venues such as Theatre Royal Bath, His Majesty’s Theatre, Shaftesbury Arts Centre, and Bristol Old Vic. In 2023, he mesmerized audiences as a circus drummer for the Miraculous Circus.  He opened for The Gulls during the Robin Hood Tour in Bristol in 2023 and for Daniel Waples at the Croatia Handpan Festival in 2024. Ibni has performed with industry giants like Mobius Loop, Kabecao, Alexandre Lora, Mumi, Laurent Sureau, and Yarden Jeffrey. His stage presence, whether in music or acting, captivates audiences of all ages. His workshops feature students across a diverse range of races, ages, and ethnicities, displaying the truly global impact of his music. 

Ibni Rocks is an artist creating his own musical path. Through his live performances, music recordings, and teaching, he continues to etch his legacy. “I want my songs to be as famous as ‘Happy Birthday,'” says Ibni, emphasizing his goals for the future. With each note he performs, he demonstrates that talent, commitment, and passion can lead an artist to extraordinary heights, irrespective of age. 

Published by Stephanie M.