After six days of captivating music, vibrant cultural exchange, and artistic fervor, the inaugural Casablanca Music Week drew to a spectacular close last Sunday evening. The festival culminated in an unforgettable concert headlined by the legendary R&B group En Vogue, followed by dynamic sets from DJ Abdell and Big Ali.
The atmosphere was electric as the iconic American girl group ignited the “La Casablancais” stage with a powerful and elegant performance. Dressed in perfectly coordinated and stylish outfits, the singers treated the enthusiastic Casablanca crowd to their greatest hits, including “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It),” “Give It Up,” “Love Don’t Love You,” and “Whatta Man.” The audience responded with collective euphoria, singing and dancing along.
With their exceptional vocal harmonies and precise choreography, the members of En Vogue captivated the massive crowd that had gathered for the closing night. The audience’s enthusiastic singing and dancing underscored the enduring impact these musical icons have on the artistic scene.
En Vogue’s Moroccan Debut and Future Prospects
In a post-performance statement to the press, En Vogue members Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, Rhona Bennett, and Terry Ellis expressed their delight at performing in Morocco for the first time. “We’ve never been to Casablanca before,” they shared, “and this was a perfect opportunity to come and share our art and music and feel the love of the Moroccan audience.”
The artists described the experience as wonderful, praising the “kindness and incredible energy of the audience.” They fondly recalled seeing signs held by spectators with messages like “We Love En Vogue.” In light of this warm reception, they expressed their readiness to return to Morocco for a full concert and didn’t rule out future collaborations with Moroccan or African artists.
A Grand Finale and Festival Success
Following En Vogue’s set, DJ Abdell and Big Ali took to the stage, delivering an impressive performance that skillfully blended popular hits from the 2000s. Their high-energy set was met with widespread approval from the attendees, ensuring the artistic vibrancy of the event continued late into the night.
Hakim Chekraoui, the founder and director of Casablanca Music Week, revealed to “Site Info” that the first edition of the festival attracted approximately 50,000 spectators over its six evenings. He emphasized that this resounding success serves as a strong motivator to continue and bring back a new edition in 2026.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Enhancements and Inclusivity
Chekraoui lauded the success of the inaugural edition and announced upcoming changes and new features for the second edition, scheduled for next year. He explained that the 2026 festival will actively promote Moroccan artists with large fan bases. Additionally, improvements will include easier entry processes and reduced ticket prices, all while maintaining the same high quality of the event.
Casablanca Music Week has clearly won the hearts of the Moroccan public, thanks to its curated program that seamlessly blended international stars, Arab talents, national figures, and diverse musical genres, from Raï and Hip-Hop to Electronic Music and traditional Moroccan rhythms.
Organized by NRJ Morocco, this major event also adopted a multidisciplinary approach, combining concerts with cultural meetings, workshops, performances, and immersive experiences, further cementing Casablanca’s status as a vibrant cultural hub.
