Tokyo band leader Kaoly Asao of Gocoo opens the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco with a bang. “Rhythms of the World” is the theme of the festival that stretches for ten days. Admission to all shows is free. International stars Kanye West, Joe Cocker, Youssou N’Dour, Quincy Jones performed on eight stages scattered across the city.
William Farrington
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Kaoly Asao of Gocoo performs during the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco.
William Farrington
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Syrian diva Mayada Al Hanawi performs with a full orchestra at Espace Nahda, one of eight stages across Rabat, Morocco.
William Farrington
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Majid Bekkas, from southern Morocco, performs on the Guembri at the Mawazine festival. Bekkas plucked the three-stringed instrument and also tapped the camel skin-covered body to keep a rhythm.
William Farrington
Soultana is a rising a rap artist who emerged from the Moroccan underground by popular demand through an internet-connected fan base. Because her music is not accepted, she says, “It’s all about Facebook and MySpace, Skyrock and YouTube — that is the reason we have the political and cultural revoution.”
William Farrington
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Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) performs at the Mawazine festival in Rabat, Morocco.
William Farrington
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Hoba Hoba Spirit, a band pioneer in the underground DIY music scene in Morocco, performs during the festival.
William Farrington
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Hoba Hoba Spirit performs at the Mawazine festival in Rabat Morocco.
William Farrington
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Master Gnawa musician Mustapha Bakbou and his band perform the traditional music that has inspired artists such as the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Randy Weston during the Mawazine Festival.
William Farrington
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Master Gnawa musician Mustapha Bakbou and his band perform onstage.
William Farrington
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Kanye West performs at the Mawazine Rhythms of the World Festival.
William Farrington
