Julian Marley brought the 20th edition of the Mawazine Festival to a stirring close on Saturday night, delivering a deeply felt performance on the Bouregreg stage that blended raw energy with spiritual intensity. Set against the banks of the river and under a warm night sky, the reggae artist captivated a packed crowd with a show that felt both intimate and transcendent, drawing deeply from the roots of his musical heritage.
Dressed in a vibrant yellow shirt, his dreadlocks falling to his shoulders, Marley commanded the stage with his bass guitar, running through some of the most powerful songs in his catalog. From “Lemme Go” and “Boom Draw” to “Straighter Roads,” “Build Together,” and “Things Ain’t Cool,” each track carried the weight of experience and a message of resilience. Flanked by two striking backup singers in bright, patterned dresses, the performance became a tapestry of soulful harmonies and spirited movement.
The night pulsed with rhythm and emotion. Thunderous percussion, hypnotic melodies, and lyrics grounded in calls for peace and unity kept the audience fully engaged. Hands reached skyward as the crowd joined in chorus after chorus, their voices rising into the night amid the glow of stage lights and the electricity of shared purpose.
Marley also paid homage to his father, revisiting several of Bob Marley’s iconic songs—an emotional nod to the legacy he carries forward. These renditions were met with roaring applause, reinforcing the powerful connection between artist and audience and underscoring the timeless appeal of the Marley name.
As the concert drew to a close, the crowd refused to let go, chanting Julian’s name and calling for one more song. It was a moment of mutual gratitude and celebration, perfectly fitting for the final act of such a landmark festival. Born in London in 1975 to Bob Marley and Lucy Pounder, Julian has carved out his own path in the world of reggae. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, he has earned Grammy nominations and performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, from the Beijing Olympics to global tours. With over 100 million streams to his name, his music continues to resonate across generations.
This performance marked a significant chapter in his ongoing journey and stood out as one of the defining highlights of this anniversary edition of Mawazine. Organized by the Maroc Cultures Association under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, the festival once again transformed Rabat and Salé into hubs of global culture for nine days, reaffirming its status as one of the premier cultural gatherings in the world.
