new names on the bill for the 25th edition

Nadia Ouiddar

May 06, 2024 At 6:10 p.m.

Alune Wade (Senegal), Aïta Mon Amour (Morocco, Tunisia), BCUC (South Africa), Simon Shaheen Quartet (Palestine) and Ablaye Cissoko & Cordaba (Senegal) will follow one another this year on the stages of the Festival. Their aim is share their love of African and Arab musical heritage which they revisit and reinvent, each in their own way, while embodying a wide diversity of musical genres: Afrobeat, Aïta, Jazz, traditional Arab music, Soul, Punk Rock… Bassist at impressive technique, talented composer and performer, Alune Wade makes Africa vibrate in his music often described as nomadic jazz, which mixes oriental influences and sounds of the continent.

Reinterpreting tradition with current tools is the mission set by the duo Aïta Mon Amour, who take us on a captivating journey through these centuries-old rural songs, popularized by the Chikhates.

The powerful energy of the group BCUC from Soweto mixes traditional African music, soul and punk rock to create a unique and festive trance, promises to electrify the Festival.

A tireless ambassador of traditional Arab music, Simon Shaheen is recognized throughout the world as a virtuoso violinist and an exceptional oud player. His brilliant interpretation of Arabic music and the mixtures he makes with other musical traditions allow the international public to discover all the beauty of Arab culture. Multiplying, for around twenty years, hybridizations and musical collaborations, Ablaye Cissoko is considered one of the greatest players of the kora, this enchanting instrument found in West Africa.

More than 400 artists will perform during the 53 concerts planned for the 25th edition of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival. Among them, the Festival has already announced Saint Levant, Buika, The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion, Labess and Bokanté.