Gnaoua Essaouira Festival 2024: Exciting concerts at a glance

The 25th Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival will take place from June 27 to 29 and promises great concerts, the organizers announced.

A unique celebration

Since its creation, the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival has managed to establish itself on the international music scene thanks to its unique concept of musical fusion. The organizers claim that this uniqueness has allowed the festival to become a true outdoor music laboratory. Every year, it hosts bold experiments that delight music lovers and festival-goers in search of new sounds.

Promising twenty-fifth edition

To mark its 25th anniversary, the festival presents five combined concerts as well as a unique opening show. Artists from South Africa, Spain, the United States, France, Mali and Senegal will share the stage with Gnawa masters known for their art of combining their musical repertoire with musicians from all over the world.

The most prominent merger parties

1. Universal in the plural:

- Artists: Maallem Mohamed Kouyou, Rani Kreja, Gemba Kouyaté, John Grandcamp, Kiki Perdomo, Mehdi Chaib and Hebs Trumpet (Morocco, Mali, Spain, France)

- Details: After the amazing performance during the previous edition, Mohamed Qayou returns with a new performance marked by rigor and boldness, a fusion that includes genius percussionists, catchy saxophone melodies and virtuoso electric guitar.

2. The same as Africa:

- Artists: Al-Muallem Abdelmalek Al-Qadiri and Alon Wade (Morocco, Senegal)

- Details: Encounter with exceptional talents. Alon Wade, the talented Senegalese bassist, will exchange his melodies with Maallem Abdelmalek Kadiri, heir of the greatest Gnaoua masters.

3. Over and over again:

- Artists: Abay Sissoko and Mehdi Qamoum (Morocco, Senegal)

- Details: Ablaye Sissoko, world-famous kora player, and Mehdi Qamoum, creator of the electric batiste, will enter into an original and contemporary musical dialogue.

4. High density:

- Artists: Maallem Tarek Ait Hemedti and BCUC (Morocco, South Africa)

- Details: The fusion of Gnawa rhythms with the sounds of rock, soul, electro and rock with the South African band BCUC promises a performance of rare intensity.

5. Transatlantic communication:

- Artists: Maalim Hamid El Kasri and Bokanti (Morocco, USA)

- Details: The meeting between Hamid Al-Qasri and Bokanti, marked by unique vocal performances and musical instruments, heralds an exploration of the richness of Creole sounds and the depth of Gnawa music.

Vanguard Programming

This year, more than 400 artists will perform in 53 scheduled concerts. The programs will highlight musical fusions and offer audiences a variety of original music and sound experiences.

Don't miss this exceptional edition of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira, where each concert promises a unique and unforgettable musical experience.