Visa For Music 2026: Rabat Unveils Its Official Programme, Day by Day

Rabat (Morocco), November 9, 2026. In nine days, Rabat becomes the capital of the music of Africa and the Middle East. The 13th Visa For Music, the first festival and professional market of its kind — created in 2014 by ANYA Culture and Atlas Azawan — has published its full official programme: 36 projects selected from more than 900 applications from more than 90 countries, four showcase stages, and a Forum lining up conferences, workshops and masterclasses. Festivals, artists, professionals: here is the rundown, day by day.

Wednesday, November 18 — the opening

The urban parade and the opening ceremony kick off the party in the late afternoon around the Mohammed V Theatre. Then the music takes over: at 6:50 p.m., OPA — the Beninese band, winner of the 2026 RFI Découvertes Prize — opens the showcases on the main stage of the Mohammed V Theatre, before Sara Moullablad (8 p.m.) and Naples' Enzo Avitabile (9 p.m.). The night ends at the Chellah, electro style: Gnawatronic, the meeting of Omary and maâlma Hind Ennaira, at 11:30 p.m., then Moonshine at 1 a.m.

Thursday, November 19 — the Forum takes the stage

The market is in full swing from 10 a.m.: technical immersion in live sound, an Ableton Live and artificial intelligence workshop, international pitching, running orders — and three conferences that sketch the times: the artist and their audience, authenticity in the algorithmic era, the future of festivals; the day's masterclass dissects broadcast and distribution strategies. In the evening, eight live showcases: Sian Pottok, Bruna Alimonda and Erol Josué at the Mohammed V Theatre; Chloë's Clue, L'aranna and KIW & Mourad Belouadi on the Bahnini Stage; Mariaa Siga, the voice of Senegal, and Meryem Aboulouafa at INSMAC. Electro night at the Chellah with Delehei and Taroug.

Friday, November 20 — pros at the heart, Malakey headlining

The Forum talks crisis and territories: organizing a festival in times of crisis, building sustainable development through culture, structuring the African music industry — with Cameroon as a case study —, and two side events at the Onomo Hotel, including “Music, Algorithms, and Discoverability”. In the evening, the Mohammed V Theatre rolls out Radjha Ally, the PS5 Pietro Santangelo Quintet and, at 10 p.m., Malakey, the Malian rapper all of Rabat is waiting for. Rita Kamale and Mycose Of You play the Bahnini Stage, Psychedelic Winds and Kazdoura play INSMAC; then the Chellah catches fire: DJ Emos, from Benin, at 11:30 p.m., and Mura at 1 a.m.

Saturday, November 21 — the grand finale

Final day, big topics: artificial intelligence in music — creative revolution or redefining the industry? —, building a European tour from local stages, artists' visual identity in the digital age. And a finale to match: Kiko, from Togo, opens the Mohammed V Theatre evening at 8 p.m., Oumy, from Senegal, follows at 9 p.m., Marthe × Pilani Bubu closes the main stage; Yugen Blakrok and the R2D, Jbiina, Onzy Jazzbar and Yvzid collective shake the Bahnini Stage; Adam El Mouna & Faylasuf and Olivia Khoury play INSMAC. Last night at the Chellah: Oluwadamvic and Soufiane Az.

Festival TV is already in Rabat

Our coverage starts before the first showcase: Festival TV is already set up on site through our ambassador, godfather and explorer Mory Touré, as close as it gets to the stages, the Forum and the backstage. Over the four days, our news editions and the JT Visa For Music — special editions, day by day — will tell the event in 360-degree coverage: showcases, meetings, signings and the Rabat atmosphere. Festivals, artists, professionals: keep an eye on our official Festival TV channels — the live channel, the website and our pages — so you don't miss a thing.

Author's signatureMoïse 1er, the Festival ExplorerMontréal - Québec - Toronto

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