The 13th edition of Visa For Music, a festival and professional market for African and Middle Eastern music, will take place in Rabat, Morocco, from November 18 to 21. The event will feature live concerts, a professional forum, and various activities. According to the organizers, the festival will showcase a diverse range of musical styles, from Afro-European fusion to electronic music. The event aims to promote cultural exchange and provide a platform for artists to network and showcase their talents.
The festival's artistic program will include live showcases, an electronic music stage at Chellah, and a Focus Maroc segment featuring four Moroccan projects. The event will take place across four iconic venues in Rabat: the Théâtre National Mohammed V, the Salle Bahnini, the INSMAC, and the Scène du Chellah. The festival will feature dozens of live concerts, including performances by Siân Pottok, Erol Josué, Mariaa Siga, and Enzo Avitabile. The electronic music stage will showcase projects like Moonshine and Taroug.
The festival will also highlight the vibrant Moroccan music scene, with showcases by Meryem Aboulouafa, Sara Moullablad, and the electro project Gnawatronic. The Focus Maroc segment will feature R2D, JBIINA, ONZY JAZZBAR, and YVZID. The professional market will bring together artists, producers, and festival representatives for networking and discussions on the music industry. The event will include speed meetings, allowing artists to present their projects and discuss opportunities with programmers.
The professional forum will address various topics, including artist circulation, the role of festivals in territories, and the impact of artificial intelligence on music creation. The forum will also feature conferences, masterclasses, and practical workshops on topics like music distribution, artist identity, and international touring. One of the masterclasses will focus on structuring the African music industry, using Cameroon as a case study.
The festival's program will also include a cycle of conferences, masterclasses, and workshops dedicated to future challenges in the music industry. The event aims to promote cultural exchange and provide a platform for artists to network and showcase their talents. The festival has a strong focus on supporting youth and diversity, with free access to activities for young Moroccan professionals and students.
In addition to the main festival program, a separate OFF program will offer professionals inspiring discussions on topics like music discoverability and the circulation of music in African markets. The festival also promotes gender parity and representation, with at least 30% of women among the professionals and a balanced representation of artists and speakers.
Since its creation, Visa For Music has been committed to supporting youth and diversity through free access to activities for young professionals and cultural mediation actions. The festival's 13th edition promises to be an exciting event, showcasing a diverse range of musical styles and providing a platform for artists to network and showcase their talents.
Key points
- The festival will feature a diverse range of musical styles, from Afro-European fusion to electronic music.
- The event aims to promote cultural exchange and provide a platform for artists to network and showcase their talents.
- The festival has a strong focus on supporting youth and diversity, with free access to activities for young Moroccan professionals and students.
