Marrakech – In a lively press conference last night, the organizers of the L’Boulevard festival pulled back the curtain on this year’s highly anticipated program.

L’Boulevard, a festival that champions young talent, promises an exciting lineup of exclusive concerts, a vibrant creative and associative market, diverse activities, and the iconic Tremplin L’Boulevard music competition.

Festival director Mohamed Merhari highlighted that this year’s edition will feature a unique musical style each day, ensuring a diverse and dynamic experience for all music lovers.

The L’Boulevard will kick off on September 12, with an electrifying lineup. DJ SIM-H and Moroccan rappers Nab Fake, Rubio, Klass-A, Small X, and Dada will set the stage ablaze, joined by French rapper Nayra.

The following day brings a fusion of sounds with the Amazigh duo “Sarah & Ismael,” Franco-Senegalese electro-sabar trio “Guiss Guiss Bou Bess,” and the collaborative group of  “Aïta Mon Amour.”

“Fehd Benchemssi & The Lallas” will also perform, featuring special guest Karim Ziad.

Saturday, September 14, will be all about rock and metal, showcasing Moroccan band “We Come For War,” winners of the 2023 Tremplin, along with melodic deathcore group Sakadoya, who took home the top prize in 2008. 

The day will close with a high-energy performance from American crossover skate-punk legends, “Suicidal Tendencies.”

Mehdi Laurent Alexandre Farhat, a name well-known among music professionals, artists, and rock-metal enthusiasts in Morocco, will be honored during the 22nd edition of the L’Boulevard festival.

In tribute to the occasion, French band “Orion – A Metallica Experience” will take the audience on a time-traveling journey, revisiting the legendary catalog of Metallica, a global cornerstone of the rock-metal genre.

The 22nd edition continues to showcase the Tremplin L’Boulevard, a platform dedicated to discovering new musical talents. 

Winners will benefit from a comprehensive training program, including professional workshops on communication, technical skills, stage presence, songwriting, vocal techniques, copyright, digital distribution, health and music, and career development.

This year, the festival received an impressive 554 submissions from across Morocco, with a staggering 433 entries in the rap/hip-hop category alone.

After extensive deliberations, the jury finalized their selection on July 9, 2024. They chose seven rap artists for the rap/hip-hop category, four bands for the rock/metal category, and four groups for the fusion/current music category.

Furthermore, the “Souk Associatif” bazaar will feature around forty stands, complemented by performances from the Colokolo circus troop and educational visits as part of the festival’s program.

Just like last year’s edition, the pilot program for gender-based violence awareness and mediation, “Souk Rassek,” will be implemented throughout the festival, in partnership with the 4S association.

In partnership with the same NGO, the “Gender@Work” program, an initiative launched by the Music In Africa Foundation, will support women in the music industry throughout the festival.