Marrakech – On June 26, 2025, at Mawazine’s Bouregreg stage, something tells me we’re about to experience the latter.
Picture this: the oud is snarling, the raï is in trance mode, gnawa rhythms are looping like a fever dream, and somewhere in the mix, a punk guitar decides to crash the party.
That’s Al-Qasar & Guests — a sonic storm brewed between continents, ready to rain down on Rabat like desert thunder.
Now, I don’t know about you, but when I hear “Malian jazz meets garage punk in Arabic with a Turkish cover of Depeche Mode,” my brain short-circuits — in the best way possible.
This isn’t just music; it’s a manifesto. A wild, beautiful, chaotic mashup of tradition and rebellion.
The lineup reads like a dream dinner party you didn’t know you needed an invite to: Cheick Tidiane Seck serving up jazz laced with centuries of soul, Mamani Keïta weaving in Mandinka vocals like silk, and Mehdi Haddab electro-shredding the oud into something your Spotify algorithm has never predicted.
And here’s the thing: this isn’t some exotic blend made for the tourist’s ear. It’s not folklore with a filter.
This is raw, loud, unapologetically modern sound.
Al-Qasar isn’t asking for your approval — they’re taking the mic, the stage, and the narrative.
There’s something deeply powerful about seeing artists collide like this, especially at a festival like Mawazine.
The event has long been a bridge between worlds.
But with this set? It’s not just a bridge — it’s a cultural rave on the edge of the Sahara.
June 26. Bouregreg. Bring your sneakers and your soul. Because when the fuzz hits the fan, you’ll want to be dancing right in the middle of the sandstorm.
Consider this your official warning: Al-Qasar & Guests aren’t here to perform. They’re here to possess.
