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Rabat- Hello music lovers! We are just four days into the 13th Mawazine festival, and we’ve already seen dozens of dynamic performances from around the world.
Attending multiple free concerts every day by internationally recognized musicians is not an easy task, but I’m happy to take on the task for you lovely MWN readers. We started with coverage of Justin Timberlake’s packed performance on opening night. Today I will recap some of the smaller concerts over the past two days, as well as Ben L’Oncle Soul at the Bouregreg and IAM’s performance last night in Souissi.
On Saturday afternoon I ran into one of Mawazine’s many street performances completely by accident. My friends and I were on a leisurely stroll through Agdal when we heard rhythmic drumming coming from a knot of spectators up ahead. Inside an enclosure in the street was the Bollywood Masala Orchestra. Their pan-Indian music included an eclectic assortment of instruments, including a bass drum, side drum, trombone, tabla, dholak, and harmonium. Dancers and acrobats in traditional dress added a compelling visual spectacle to the lively performance.
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By Melissa Smyth for MWN[/caption]
The 16-member group performed several numbers for the enthusiastic crowd. Some seemed to have arrived specifically for the concert, while others stumbled upon the crowd and stayed for the show. Parents hoisted small children onto their shoulders, and employees at local businesses took a break to stand outside their shops and listen to the music. The performance ended as abruptly as it had started, and the crowd dispersed to the sounds of the tabla ringing down the street.
San Francisco-based French artist Ben l’Oncle Soul played the Bouregreg venue on Saturday night. His band warmed up the crowd with a fun beat as his backup singers danced onto the stage. People of all ages crowded into the space along the riverbank, dancing along with the funky, swingy music.
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By Melissa Smyth for MWN[/caption]
The musician was able to connect well with the audience by speaking in French and gauging audience reaction throughout the performance. He worked “Maroc” into the lyrics of one song, eliciting cheers from the crowd. Overall, Ben l’Oncle Soul seemed to be genuinely enjoying his performance at Mawazine, which some spectators compared favorably to Justin Timberlake’s apparent indifference during his show.
On Sunday evening we headed to Chellah to hear Ensemble Shanbehzadeh. The historic ruins were the perfect location for the atmospheric melodies of the Iranian folk musicians, set against the backdrop of the beautiful valley at dusk. The instruments reflected the cultural crossroads of Iran; Saied Shanbehzadeh played the neyanban bagpipes, flute and boogh (goat horn) during the show, with Naghib Shanbehzadeh and Habib Meftah Bushehri on percussion. Midway through the show Naghib delivered an intricate drum solo, followed by a dynamic, emotional performance by Habib, after which Saied took the opportunity to explain some of the traditional instruments and history of the music.
[caption id="attachment_131868" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
By Melissa Smyth for MWN[/caption]
Saied’s stage presence was integral to the whole experience; he dressed in traditional garb, leaping around the platform and swaying for effect. The small venue provided an intimate setting for interaction with the audience. Shanbehzadeh encouraged the audience, which was largely older and included many foreigners, to repeat his ululations and clap along with the complex rhythms. After the show, many guests took advantage of the elegant buffet tents which had been erected throughout the ancient Roman site.
French hip-hop group IAM performed Sunday night at OLM in Souissi. At the nearby Sofitel Hotel, where many Mawazine affiliates are staying for the festival, the bar played IAM songs ahead of the show. “They’re very popular; they’re like the French Wu-Tang Clan,” said one patron. Though not as crowded as the Justin Timberlake concert at the same venue, IAM managed to fill the space with a mostly young, male crowd. They used a variety of background screens to set a different mood for each song, including shots of the Paris suburbs, the solar system, and flames.
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By Melissa Smyth for MWN[/caption]
For one song, the performers danced with pink light sabers in front of a galactic backdrop. Unlike many other performances at the festival, the audience seemed to know IAM’s lyrics by heart; the singers were able to point their microphones to the audience and hear their songs echoed back to them. The artists make frequent references to Africa, Islam and the Middle East and criticize the conservative French political establishment, all themes which resonate with their young Moroccan audience.
We’ll be back later in the week with more updates, including recaps of performances by Moroccan artists and regional stars like Nancy Ajram. Stay tuned!
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