Marrakesh – The WeCasablanca Festival, a cultural highlight of Morocco’s economic capitol, is back this year with an eclectic and innovative lineup.
Celebrating the diversity and artistry of Moroccan music, this event promises to captivate audiences with its vibrant mix of sounds and styles.
From July 18 to 20, 2024, Casablanca will pulse to the beats of rock, urban, fusion, Amazigh, Gnaoua, and Aïta music, showcasing the city’s rich identity.
Set against the backdrop of the Toro space and the United Nations Square, this festival promises an unforgettable musical journey, according to the organizers’ announcement.
This year, WeCasablanca promises unforgettable moments of sharing and discovery, ensuring an experience that celebrates the heart and soul of the city.
Casablanca, with its open spirit and cultural vibrancy, has always been a fertile ground for avant-garde artistic movements.
Showcasing diverse talents
Rock music, in particular, has found a passionate and receptive audience there. On July 18 at the Toro space, the WeCasablanca festival will feature Meteor Airlines, a group that blends alternative rock with traditional sounds and recently won the “Best Artistic Practices Award” in the Mediterranean region at the Creact4Med ceremony in Barcelona.
The Moroccan rock band, Hoba Hoba Spirit, will also perform during the event. The group is known for their unique fusion of Hayha Music, reggae, and traditional Moroccan influences.
WeCasablanca will also celebrate fusion music and its diverse influences. On July 19, the Toro space will delight music enthusiasts and curious minds alike by showcasing the overflowing creativity of versatile artists Jubantouja and Mehdi Qamoum.
Blending musical genres, these artists push musical and cultural boundaries, captivating their audience with a mix of jazz, blues, indie rock, and traditional influences, all while reinventing classic sounds.
WeCasablanca will also delight urban music enthusiasts with headliners like Tagne, a talented artist who has emerged as a prominent figure in the Moroccan rap scene, and Farid Ghannam, known for his unique voice and ability to blend Gnaoua, pop, and R&B genres.
Casablanca locals can also immerse themselves in the rich Amazigh culture with Badr Ouabi, an inspiring musician who blends his roots from the Middle Atlas with contemporary expressions, and Aïcha Tachenouit, a talented Amazigh singer and dancer.
The city will celebrate the cultural identity and cherished Amazigh heritage of Morocco. July 18 will be a night to experience the ancestral rhythms and poetic songs of Amazigh culture.
Gnaoua: a timeless art
Moreover, the festival features a lineup to celebrate Gnaoua music and honor the sacred chants of this beautiful tradition inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Artists such as Asmaa Hamzaoui and Hamid El Kasri embody the cultural richness of Gnaoua, bringing their unique talents to the modern stage while respecting the deep roots of this Moroccan tradition.
The WeCasablanca festival highlights this spiritual yet contemporary music, offering the audience an immersion into the vibrant soul of Gnaoua music.
The festival also celebrates the tradition and heritage of Aïta, which resonates deeply in Casablanca, where it has flourished for a century.
Here, chikhates and chioukhs (traditional Moroccan musicians) reinvent and preserve this art for future generations. Aïta, with its ancestral songs and captivating rhythms, embodies the living essence of Moroccan popular culture, transmitting stories, emotions, and values across generations.
Artists like Siham El Mesfiouia and Said Senhaji will offer the audience an authentic experience rich in emotion and poetry.
Cheers to techno!
Electronic music enthusiasts will be thrilled by the performances of DJ Omary, Sound Of Mint, and DJ MKA on the United Nations Square stage on July 18, 19, and 20, respectively, as well as D33P SOUL on the Toro space stage every night of the festival.
These DJs skillfully blend traditional and contemporary rhythms to create dynamic and energetic sets. Meanwhile, VJ Kalamour will offer immersive visual experiences, highlighting all aspects of Moroccan cultural identity and drawing inspiration from contemporary digital arts. Catch him on the Toro space stage throughout the festival.
And the best is yet to come! The WeCasablanca Festival will offer a series of free concerts on two stages in the heart of the city: at the Toro space and also at United Nations Square.
This year, it promises an immersive and enriching musical experience, celebrating artistic diversity and innovation.
