Like many countries, summer sees the height of festi options and Morocco is no exception. Tickle your fancy with world music, rock, reggae, gnaoua, fusion ,electronic or Japanese Tribal Punk! The dream Moroccan Summer tour consists of the following Festivals.
L'EXPO Boulevard / Festival 2010
Boulevard, important for giving performance opportunities to young Moroccan musicians as well as inviting those from abroad, will host Rap/Hip Hop, Rock/Electro, and Fusion in Casablanca from 13th – 16th of May.
If you are festival hopping (one day!, inchalah), then hoedown to Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Friday the 21st – Sunday the 29th of May and check out Sting, Ismael Lo, BB King and Harry Connick JR or Carlos Santana for big the stadium hits.
http://www.festivalmawazine.ma
Turn inland for a spiritual voyage at the 13th Fez Sacred Music Festival for a less hyper and more polished crowd. The 9 day program of performances from India, Tanzania, Turkey, Iran and Egypt but to mention a few of the guest countries, starts on the 4th of June and continues until the 12th. Spread over various venues in Fez medina and new town the program varies in ambience and audience. Top recommendations include the Indian Dancers, Gotipas of the Raghurajput , Africa Spirit from Zanzibar and Ben Harper. Important t know that if you are after a more grass roots experience Ain Skato is the people stage out of town for a stand up and bogie crowd.
http://www.fesfestival.com
Fez Festival of Sacred Music
Meanwhile if it’s a fresh breeze and some cool western Jazz head to Rabat from the 10th – 14th of June to Jazz au Chellah. Set in an incredible medieval ruins and with 15 years of this festival experience, Jazz au Chellah promises to be a creditable event. Rabat, as a public, could be named as Morocco’s culturally appreciative and are not shy to participate and involve themselves in many a live performance.
Jazz au Chellah
Essaouira’s Gnaoua and world music Festival is also in its 13th year is presented from the 24th – 27th of June. Yet to release their program but well known for its relaxed and open ambient where one can dance in the squares or on the beach it’s a hot festival and accommodation gets booked quickly.
http://www.festival-gnaoua.net
For those festival monsters still hungry for live music under a Moroccan sky theres more two come for the second half of the Maroc Summer Festi Tour.
