Music fans from around the world are packing their bags and heading for Morocco this weekend. Africa’s designated Cultural Capital 2020 will host the 4th Atlas Electronics Festival on August 29-September 2, 2019. The event will take place at the environmentally friendly eco-lodge, Villa Janna, situated in Marrakech’s palmeraie.
The Atlas Festival supports free thought and aims to create a safe space for locals and the international community to meet, collaborate, and transcend cultural and social boundaries. Over 104 artists have been invited to perform, exhibit their art, and participate in leading workshops. Among them is 24-year old Abdullah Miniawy from Egypt who writes and chants globally. His album Darraje with Munich based trio Carl-Gari was selected by NPR as the best album of 2016. Uganda’s AFRORACK, a DIY audio arts organization will play their synthesized modular Eurorack. Morocco will be represented by a series of artists including Rabat born DJ Djyoce, who made his way into electronic music by running underground festivals in Morocco. North Africa’s DJ Driss Bennis will also share his sound experiences. His rhythms aim to challenge social and cultural barriers.
The Atlas Festival “catalyzes community-driven creative development through participation and the cross-cultural exchange of knowledge.” It seeks to raise awareness for society’s need to connect authentically without electronics. “People are spending more time online than ever before, ironically, we seem less connected than we’ve ever been. Although the desire to connect has never ceased to exist, our capabilities to do so seem to have.”
Tickets can be purchased online or at a variety of access points throughout Marrakech, Rabat, Tangier, and Casablanca. Ticket prices start at 400 MAD ($42 USD) for the Boiler Room Opening Concert and run up to 1000 MAD ($101 USD). Prices increase at the door.