A vibrant extension of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira, the Festival Afters offer a series of immersive evenings, before and after the main stage concerts, in some of the city’s most iconic venues.

At the heart of these events lies a clear ambition: to fuse the hypnotic rhythms of the Gnaoua Maâlems with the energy of the contemporary electronic scene, both Moroccan and international. Each night, DJs and live musicians come together to create unique performances, blending traditional instruments (guembri, qraqebs…) with electronic sounds (deep house, afro-house, organic techno…).

In a nomadic and festive atmosphere, each venue becomes a space for musical travel where tradition meets the digital world: visual projections, decor inspired by Moroccan heritage, and light installations immerse festivalgoers in a total sensory experience.

The Festival Afters celebrate the universality of music, the cultural richness of Essaouira, and the creative youth of today.

It’s an invitation to experience the festival differently – between spirituality and electro beats.