Awake Festival Marrakesh 2022 — Review (Adriatique,John Digweed, Adana Twins, Massano,WooYork…)
Imagine, you’re in the absolute center of Marrakech, sipping on your mega pint cocktail to warm up for what’s coming, while watching the sky sparkle on the lights coming from it. It looked like the venue got the name for a reason. That was the exact moment when you know that Awake’s crew will deliver. The lights got more intense as we get closer, yet the vision got clearer, until its final form that was so magnificent for the eye to see _ The rolling eye and the spacey psychedelic patterns which were too much to process as it’s a first in Morocco, and Moroccan ravers have waited for something similar for ages. Missing artists, broken promises, staff irrelevance were the common deeds that Awake excelled in not doing. The founder Ali Benjelloun featured a B2B with Oddity, that’s a hint of passion that you don’t see every day. I even spotted a security guard doing the ugliest bass face there is, looks like someone worked in a basement in Berlin! Another plus that should be mentioned is that I spotted emergency medics, not at the door, not outside, but in front of the bar, exactly where they should be.
First day: “We’re not sleeping tonight, are we?”
Starting with the Moroccan beauty Capra, who was actually a beast on that stage. It’s really delightful to see women growing in the Electronic music industry.
Then came Massano dropping sounds from the afterlife, and I’m not talking about the label. All I have to say about this young prodigy, is that he’s legitimately the master of his generation!
Speaking of generations, the veterans, Woo York came afterwards with an uplifting live set that I consider the highlight of the night. They’ve really marked their first appearance in Morocco.
Adriatique came next for the closing, but with 2022 classics like Dance With Me by Kevin De Vries they were there prepare us to an Odd set by Oddity, that he warned about earlier wearing a shirt that says “My head is a very dark place”, and featuring the founder himself. During their show this friend I met that day looked at me with sparkling eyes “We’re not sleeping tonight, are we?”, didn’t even bother to answer, a girl shouted:”it’s already tomorrow!!!”. Briefly before the sunrise, attendees left the venue with the widest smiles printed on their faces.
Second Day: “ADANA ONE MORE!”
Ravers were still recovering from Awake’s Friday post trauma, when the second chapter started with a B2B of the nationals Nawfal & Bel Age to be succeeded by the founder of the upcoming MOGA Festival DAOX, this Detroit inspired artist is one of the pillars.
The show continued with the person that I personally love to call “The Moroccan Bodzin”.Other than his beautiful soul and irreplaceable energy, Jably made love to his gear curating a 1 hour and a half psychedelic voyage.
Awake’s strength was technology, and so replied Ran Salman with his live performance using MIDI glove controllers. He looked like a maestro and I appreciate the cinematic effect it gave.
The final act is when experience spoke; it’s like the three were trying to say “Yes, they were impressive. But come to see how the landlords do it!”. Straub was first, delivering a magnificent groovy performance as a spoil for the plot happening afterwards A FULL THREE HOURS SET BY THE GODFATHER HIMSELF JOHN DIGWEED who dug his place deep in the Moroccan scene. Pertinence, professionalism made it a perfect set. Knowing that I only recognized two or three tracks, I didn’t skip a beat for 3 hours straight. That, my friend, is the American touch.
I want to thank the person who crafted the timetable for letting the best for the last. There’s only one comment I could say about the guys, as they left me wordless: PURE MADNESS, too good it took them the police to stop the epopee. To express it clearer, I’d pay anything to see Adana Twins Play again in Morocco.
To wrap up, I might sound exaggerating in my articles but it’s what I do. I express how it felt being there, so I can take you with me on an emotional journey. I mean, you get to be there without paying the ticket, fair enough! Also because Awake deserves so, as wise Jably said that day: “if you’re good, I introduce you as “great”, and if you’re bad and not willing to change I represent you as “crap” “.
Noticed Issues:
Parking: 50MAD for parking is just not right.
Sound System: There was an unbearable buzzing/noise sound during Adriatique’s performance on stage.
Entrance: The wait time at the entrance was excessive and it was not clear what caused the delay.
Artists’ Testimonials
So, what do you think of the event?
I really enjoyed my experience at Awake Marrakesh! Generally Iove coming back to Morocco since discovering it many years back. Lovely country, unique vibe, great people & culture.Awake was special as it was the first edition of a new and ambitious project. A lot of efforts for the team behind and it was lovely to see it worked so well. As a DJ u aim for an exchange of energy with the crowd and this one again was intense and a deep connection so it will stay in my memory.
PHILIPP STRAUB
Last weekend we have been in Morocco for the first time ever. Excitement levels were high as we only heard good things about the country and the people. And it’s safe to say that this magical place went straight into our hearts. You guys had so much energy that we didn’t want to stop playing anymore. But unfortunately after we extended our set for 90 minutes the police arrived and we had no other choice than to stop. Thanks to everyone for an amazing night! We will definitely come back!
ADANA TWINS
Thank you to the amazing crowd in Marrakesh last night and to Awake festival for bringing me out for the first time. Great to finally meet Adana Twins and also having with Philipp Straub
JOHN DIGWEED
It was a really good, well organized even with the technical issues faced! Dope line up, amazing venue, affordable food (not so affordable drinks). Overall i really had a great time and i cant wait for the second edition
Nawfal
Ravers’ Testimonials
Awake was just amazing. Really one of the best experiences I have so far. I liked it because was very private. I feel like it was a big family
@gaspdollon
Now i can say that morocco is on another level of organization so let’s stop attending events with non booked DJs and make it on a high level like AWAKE FESTIVAL did
@sanaa_settouti_yemlahi
It was beyond any expectations: artists were incredible, good vibes and sound system was sophisticated i d say.( way better than other events i attended). I really liked presence of pop up corners putting on spot local innovative brands.However,a small remark regarding organisation at entry, where they have to improve a little bit.
@nass.ht
The music was so intense we renamed the festival « AWAKWAK Festival »
@a14bennani
