The Gnaoua and World Music Festival returns for its 24e edition, from June 22 to 24 in Essaouira. Become, over the years, one of the major artistic events of the Moroccan and international cultural agenda, this edition promises exceptional moments, strong in exchange and emotions. The Festival has become over the years the meeting of all possibilities. A space where the musicians of the world allow themselves to free themselves from all constraints and to dare the most audacious associations. A parenthesis where time is suspended, to let the magic express itself. Many legends have come to rub shoulders with the masterful tempo of the Gnaoua maâlems… so many magical moments inscribed in the history of the festival. This 24e edition is no exception to the rule and makes encounters, fusions and happy interbreeding the essence of its programming.
The most groovy concert of the edition
Accustomed to the most daring collaborations, Maâlem Khalid Sansi, does not hesitate to dare to mix and match, from contemporary dance to hip-hop, while succeeding in the challenge of remaining in the purest Gnawa filiation. For this 24e edition, he goes to meet the most bubbling band of Afro-Cuban music.
Maâlem Khalid Sansi and El Comité (Morocco-Cuba)
Moulay Hassan Stage – Thursday, June 22 at 12:30 a.m.
A sharp artistic residency
If there is an artist who is convinced that fusion is not a simple matter of improvisation but indeed a human adventure, it is Maâlem Majid Bekkas. He joins forces with David Patrois, one of the most talented vibraphonists of his generation, the genius of rhythm adept of spoken word, this ancestor of slam, the percussionist Minino Garay, the drummer Mokhtar Samba as well as the saxophonist Axel Camil. A concert in the colors of Morocco, Argentina, Senegal and France, which will certainly spark.
Maâlem Majid Bekkas, David Patrois, Minino Garay, Mokhtar Samba & Axel Camil
(Morocco-France-Argentina-Senegal)
Moulay Hassan Stage – Saturday June 24 at 8:00 p.m.
girlpower
It is all the power of the African divas that is brought together in this concert where the Amazons of Africa meet Asmaa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou. The former are a pan-African women’s “super-group” whose voices above all celebrate love and the necessary solidarity between women. The second, Asmaa Hamzaoui, has demonstrated courage, audacity and perseverance to impose herself in an exclusively male universe. A fine example of African sorority all in rhythm and panache.
The Amazons of Africa and Asmaa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou (Mali / Benin / Congo / Morocco)
Moulay Hassan Stage – Saturday June 24 at 9:45 p.m.
A beautiful spirituality in the air
Accustomed to the Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira, the great master of Qawwali, Faiz Ali Faiz is also open to collaborations with artists from other horizons. For this edition, he reconnects with Nass El Hal, Issaoua from Fez, this time, for a concert imbued with spirituality and energy.
Faiz Ali Faiz and Nass El Hal (Issaoua of Fez) (Pakistan/Morocco)
Moulay Hassan Stage – Friday June 23 at 11:45 p.m.
Audacity and rigor
An exceptional meeting between artists with recognized musical audacity, ascetic rigor and universes imbued with spirituality and wisdom. Maâlem Abdeslam Alikane, Torsten de Winkel on guitar, the legendary Sulaiman Hakim on saxophone and Zouhair Amkas on drums will meet, listen to each other, exchange, merge and amaze us!
Maâlem Abdeslam Alikane, Torsten de Winkel, Zouhair Amkas and Sulaiman Hakim (Morocco/Germany/USA)
Borj Bab Marrakech – Saturday June 24 at 8:45 p.m.
A scholarly eclecticism
A magnificent musical experience in perspective between the exceptional concert player Maâlem Hamid El Kasri, the saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, the guitarist, renowned songwriter Torsten de Winkel and the percussionist Mustapha Antari. An eclectic 100% groove fusion that will make the city walls resonate in the distance.
Maalem Hamid El Kasri, Jaleel Shaw, Torsten de Winkel and Mustapha Antari
(Morocco/USA/Germany)
Moulay Hassan Stage – Saturday June 24 at 11 p.m.