The city of Essaouira will host the 27th Gnaoua and World Music Festival from 25 to 27 June, bringing together Gnaoua masters and international musicians for three days of live collaborations.
The festival mixes traditional Gnaoua music with styles such as jazz, gospel, African and modern music. Rwanda is this year’s guest of honour, following Ivory Coast in 2024 and Senegal in 2025.
The opening show will be led by Mehdi Nassouli and will bring together Moroccan Gnaoua music and Rwanda’s Intore dance, performed by the troupe Aba-Horo. It will also include Moroccan singer Saara Mouloublad, Indian singer Kanavia and French musician Sylvain Barou.
A key part of the festival is the artist residencies. Musicians spend time together before the shows to create new joint performances.
This year’s residency is led by Maâlem Hassan Boussou, working with Alexandre Herichon, Mohamed Derouich, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Karim Ziad and Meryem Assid.
Several major collaborations are planned. Maâlem Mohamed Mintari will perform with Badume’s Band and Selamnesh Zemene, mixing Gnaoua and Ethiopian music styles.
Mehdi Qamoum will also perform with Harlem Spirit of Gospel Choir, led by Anthony Morgan, focusing on gospel and Gnaoua influences.
Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown will perform with Maâlem Hamid El Kasri, bringing a mix of African-rooted rhythms.
Bassist Richard Bona will also join, performing with Moroccan singer Asmae Lmnawar in a special collaboration.
The festival focuses on bringing artists together to create new music, while keeping Gnaoua traditions at its core.
