For one night, the heart of Manhattan echoed with the sounds of the Sahara and the energy of Casablanca’s streets. As part of its 40th edition, the prestigious SummerStage Festival in Central Park gave Morocco an unprecedented platform. By becoming the first African and Arab country invited as the festival’s guest of honor, the Kingdom delivered a landmark performance that will be remembered in the history of transatlantic cultural exchange.
Organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, in partnership with the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), the Maroc Festivals collective, the driving force behind the initiative, and the SummerStage team, the event, titled “Morocco: From Dakhla to Casablanca,” drew thousands of spectators. The diverse audience included New York music lovers, members of the Moroccan diaspora, key figures from the American music industry, and senior diplomats led by Omar Hilale, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, along with numerous permanent representatives to the UN.
“It is pure joy to feel the energy of Gnawa rhythms and Hoba Hoba right here in the heart of Central Park. Seeing Moroccans, Americans and UN diplomats singing and dancing together to Moroccan music is a magical moment. This event in New York is a real success, and we hope it will become an annual fixture. It is a remarkable way to promote Moroccan culture and strengthen our cultural diplomacy around the world,” Omar Hilale, an avid music enthusiast, told Le360.
A musical journey across Morocco
The event showcased the richness and diversity of Moroccan music, blending centuries-old traditions with contemporary creativity. Over several hours, four emblematic acts delivered performances highlighting the country’s cultural heritage.
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Dakhla Casa Xpress opened the evening with an original electro-Hassani performance. The group surprised the audience by inviting poet Mohammed Baaiya, who traveled from Laayoune, to join them on stage. His Saharan poetry blended with producer NDRK’s electronic beats, accompanied by Dakhla-based keyboardist El Waar Baamar and jazz-inspired arrangements by guitarist Anas Chlih, creating a bold fusion of nomadic heritage and urban modernity.
“Our goal is to introduce Moroccan music in all its richness and diversity. Thank God, it has been a success in New York,” said Anas Chlih. “An event of this scale is a new experience for us and helps us grow. Not only do we gain visibility, but we also learn how to connect with a different audience,” added Mohammed Baaiya.
DJ and producer Mr ID followed with a performance that transformed Central Park’s open-air amphitheater into a vast dance floor. Presenting tracks from his latest album, Aski, he delivered an immersive audiovisual show featuring large-scale projections that took the audience on a sensory journey across Morocco, from the dunes of Figuig to the Atlantic coast of Dakhla.
Moroccan music joins the official program
Gnawa master Hamid El Kasri, one of the evening’s standout performers, captivated both music professionals and festivalgoers with an intense and deeply spiritual performance. The sound of the guembri and qraqeb echoed through the New York skyline, highlighting the universal appeal of this UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage.
“Our greatest strength is our heritage. I was delighted to see the audience embrace and enjoy our music,” Hamid El Kasri told Le360.
Read also : Morocco becomes first Arab, African nation to headline New York’s SummerStage Festival
To close the evening, pioneering “Hayha Music” band Hoba Hoba Spirit delivered a high-energy concert. Staying true to their reputation as exceptional live performers, the group connected with the crowd through a blend of rock, Afrobeat and Moroccan popular rhythms. Diplomats, American families and young members of the Moroccan diaspora sang along to the Casablanca band’s best-known songs.
“This is further proof that Moroccan music can bring together every kind of audience,” said the band’s singer and guitarist, Réda Allali.
Beyond the success of the performances, the evening also produced immediate professional opportunities. Following the enthusiastic response from both the audience and industry representatives, SummerStage organizers officially announced that Moroccan music would become part of the festival’s exclusive Country Music Focus program. The initiative will provide sustained, long-term support for Morocco’s music scene by connecting emerging and established Moroccan artists with one of North America’s leading world music platforms.
By taking the stage in Central Park, Morocco did more than deliver a memorable concert. It reaffirmed its growing role as a cultural force, capable of bringing its diverse identities to audiences in some of the world’s leading creative capitals.
