Rabat is set to welcome the Visa for Music festival (VFM) from November 16 to November 19 with a large selection of international artists to perform in various venues.
The city of lights’ audience has missed the festival greatly; for the past two editions, it was held in the city of Casablanca, specifically in Hiba Lab studios due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year’s VFM gathers national and international artists to perform in La Renaissance Cinema, Theater Mohamed V, and more venues.
From Morocco, the DJ and producer ‘Stranger Souma’ known for her soulful and spiritual mixes is on the list alongside the rapper ‘Raste’ who made a name for himself with different songs that are likable by Moroccan listeners.
Abir El Abed is another Moroccan artist on the list. The previous Arab’s Got Talent finalist has paved her way in the music industry and built up a reputation not only in Morocco but in the Arab world thanks to her Andalusian Maghrebian style. She merges jazz flamenco and blues in all of her performances.
The modern Gnawa artist and performer Mehdi Nassouli will be joined by Marmoucha Orchestra from the Netherlands. Nassouli was tutored by some of the greatest names in the Gnaoua scene. He specializes in ‘Hajhouj’ art.
Farid Ghanam is the last Moroccan artist on the list, having previously been on the talents show Arab Idol, he has a strong voice that was often compared to Cheb Khaled’s. Ghanam will be sharing the stage with The Cosmic Carnival from the Netherlands.
For this ninth edition, VFM collaborated with Spotify Arabia to give the industry professionals a master class alongside a surprise that has yet to be revealed.
For Electro music lovers, the Algerian and Egyptian duo ‘Electro Zebala’ will take over the stage. The group mixes north African rhythms with acoustic instruments and smooth synths.
From Uganda, iZaya joins the lineup. Coming all the way from the city of Kampala, the music composer and Afrofuturism artist’s music is heavily influenced by symphonic music. He takes great inspiration from Jazz, electronic and African traditional music.
iZaya performs original compositions live and plays live instruments.
His skills have been featured in big international projects such as HBO’s documentary ‘Ugandan Heaven’ and Netflix’s ‘Girl in the yellow jumper’.
The Egyptian duo ‘Hawas’ will be performing in front of Rabat’s crowd. Hawas fuses Egyptian folklore music with alternative tunes, their poetic lyrics explore transgenerational sentiments.
From Cameroon, the award-winning artist Mr Leo joined the lineup. Mr Leo is very well known in French speaking African countries for promoting African culture globally through his songs.
‘Zef’ will join from Lebanon. The alternative pop singer and songwriter never cease to touch his fans with songs about the struggles of young Lebanese and Arab women and men.
All the way from Benin, the duo ‘Wood Sound’ will come to Rabat to perform thanks to VFM’s collaboration with the French Institute of Cotonou. The duo uses traditional sounds from their country to create live music.
A large selection of other performers will be gracing Rabat with their rhythms and tunes.
The city of lights is finally regaining a sense of normalcy after a very long absence of musical events.
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