James Holden And Gnaoua Musician Maalem Guinea Kick Off Atlas Electronic

The first edition of the Atlas Electronic festival in Marrakech successfully kicked off in 2016 with Moroccan touches throughout and drew an international crowd dancing alongside locals, while Gnaoua musicians performed alongside international electronic musician James Holden.

It was a perfect summer evening in Marrakech as the sunset over the palm groves lit up the African sky in pinks and oranges. Inside Villa Jenna, the crowd, dressed in traditional Moroccan and Morocco-inspired attire, were gathering, milling about the villa surrounded by palm trees and walkways, art installations and Berber tents. They were all there to soak up the ambiance at the first edition of the Atlas Electronic festival where Maalem Guinea and his Gnawa band headlined alongside James Holden. Taking to the stage for a Gnawa (Moroccan and sub-Saharan African Islamic religious songs) show, Maalem Guinea provided a taste of the local music scene alongside his four-member band. And true to Gnawa traditions, the colourful gandouras (long, light tunics) and cowry shell-decorated caps completed the look.

When British electronic musician James Holden joined them onstage for a subtle fusion, the crowd hit the dance floor, grooving to the international sounds while sipping local brews.

Opening for the unique duo were Jugurtha, who took the stage alongside BeatuniQue, a freestyle percussionist and hang player, mixing various instruments including the darbouka (goblet drum), as the international crowd danced among hip locals in the amphitheatre set in the middle of the Palmeraie, the palm grove area just outside Marrakech.

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