Mawazine Festival 2025: 3.75 million music fans celebrate global and local talent

Wednesday 02 July 2025 - 15:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Mawazine Festival 2025: 3.75 million music fans celebrate global and local talent

The 20th edition of the Mawazine Festival in Morocco attracted a staggering 3.75 million attendees, with music lovers gathering to enjoy performances from over 100 international and local artists. From June 20 to 28, the cities of Rabat and Sale were transformed into vibrant hubs of musical celebration, reaffirming Mawazine’s reputation as one of the world’s largest music festivals.

Star-studded performances on multiple stages

The festival’s main international stage at OLM Souissi featured global superstars such as Kid Cudi, Becky G, aespa, Lil Baby, Wizkid, Afrojack, Lojay, MoBlack, and Lost Frequencies. However, three headliners stole the spotlight—Will Smith, 50 Cent, and Moroccan rapper ElGrande Toto—delivering unforgettable performances that captivated massive crowds.

The Nahda stage, dedicated to Arabic music, showcased prominent stars from the Arab world. Fans were treated to electrifying sets by Nancy Ajram, Myriam Fares, Sherine, Hamaki, Ruby, Aminux, Ragheb Alama, and Boudchart.

In Sale, a stage exclusively highlighting Moroccan artists featured notable performers like Abdelaziz Stati, Najat Aatabou, Daoudi, Hajib, and Adil Miloudi. Younger talents such as Lmorphine, Lazaro, Rafiaa, 7-Toun, Zakaria Ghafouli, and Kaoutar Berrani also received warm receptions.

A diverse celebration of music

The festival’s other stages offered a wide variety of musical genres. The Bouregreg stage focused on world music, with vibrant performances by artists like Salif Keita, Julian Marley, Yemi Alade, Etuk Ubong, Cheikh Lô, Burning Spear, De La Soul, and Al Qasar.

At the historic Chellah site, a tranquil atmosphere prevailed as audiences enjoyed spiritual and soulful music from artists such as Soukaina Fahsi, Egyptian Project, Luis Salazar, and The Snake Charmer.

The National Theatre Mohammed V hosted indoor concerts featuring acclaimed performers like Saber Robai, Tamer Achour, Wael Jassar, Carmen Suleiman, Ziad Bourji, and Kadhem Saher. A hologram performance of the legendary Abdelhalim Hafez also offered a nostalgic highlight for fans.

A milestone year for Mawazine

While logistical challenges marred some aspects of the festival, Mawazine 2025 successfully brought together millions of music lovers, offering a diverse lineup that celebrated both global and local talent. With its 20th edition now concluded, the festival remains a cornerstone of Morocco’s cultural calendar, showcasing the unifying power of music.