3 days ago
Macklemore closes Jazzablanca with a powerful message of solidarity for Palestine
The final night of the 18th Jazzablanca Festival was more than just a concert, it was a celebration of sound, spirit, and solidarity. From the opening notes to the final chant of «Free Palestine», the evening pulsed with energy, unity, and unforgettable moments.
The night began with a vibrant performance by Jupiter & Okwess, all the way from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Led by the charismatic Jupiter Bokondji, known as the «Rebel General», the group delivered a high-voltage show on the Scene 21 stage at Anfa Park, blending Congolese rhythms with rock, funk, and soul. The crowd was swept into a musical journey connecting African roots with global influences.
A show full of surprises
The party continued on the bigger Casa Anfa stage, promising a unique fusion of Gnaoua music and jazz. Moroccan guembri player and singer Mehdi Nassouli kicked things off with flair and a few surprises. The first was the arrival of Gnaoua master Hamid El Kasri.
«You can't believe how happy I am. I dreamt of being like Hamid El Kasri on stage, and tonight, I stand next to him», Nassouli told the crowd before welcoming El Kasri. Together, they performed a soul-stirring rendition of «La Ilaha Ila Allah», followed by «Moulay Hmed», which the audience sang along to, word for word.
The second surprise? Moroccan star Oum, who brought Sahrawi influences to the mix. With Nassouli on bendir, the two performed her moving «Taragalte», weaving together styles and regions in a heartfelt duet.
But Nassouli wasn't done surprising the crowd. He called on stage American soul singer Bilal Sayeed Oliver, who brought a wave of R&B, jazz, and groove. The performance ended in pure ecstasy with a Gnaoua classic: «Lalla Aicha», the whole stage swaying to its trance-inducing rhythm.
Electrifying show and solidarity
Then came the headliner the crowd had been waiting for: Macklemore, straight from Seattle. He took the stage wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh, radiating joy, defiance, and a powerful message. The show opened with «CHANT», a track filled with resilience, rebirth, and confronting fear.
«This show», he said after the opening number, «is not just about me and my band. It's about you. What you give to us, we give back to you, reciprocity». Then came a trip down memory lane with Macklemore's 2012 hit «Thrift Shop». Dressed in his signature leopard-print coat from the song's music video, he shouted, «Choukran!» to the Moroccan crowd.
The night was interactive, emotional, and at times spontaneous. «Does anyone know the hook to Downtown?» he asked. Two fans, Nourdine and Bella, jumped at the chance, joining him on stage for a dazzling performance. Afterward, Nourdine was spotted taking selfies with fans, still high on adrenaline. «It was amazing. I didn't expect the night to be like this, but I loved it», he told Yabiladi.
But the energy also shifted to something more serious. Macklemore paused mid-show to address the war on Gaza: «As a human being, I watched a video from Gaza that tore my heart apart», he said, visibly emotional. «This time I saw a girl the same age as my daughter… and I thought, how is this still happening, this genocide?» He condemned the violence and asked: «Can we rally around justice and equality without mirroring hatred?»
Then came the chant: «Free, free Palestine!» echoed by thousands. He grabbed a Palestinian flag from the audience and performed «Hind's Hall», his anthem in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Later, he left the stage to walk among the public, shaking hands. The connection was electric. Back on stage, he launched a dance-off, selecting two members of the crowd—Yassine and Salman—to battle it out to «Dance Off». Both brought the house down with their moves. «I knew Morocco would have the best dancers!» Macklemore laughed.
The evening continued with hits like «Glorious» and «Summer Days», each one delivered with joy, purpose, and crowd-wide singalongs. He asked the audience to light up the sky of Casablanca, and in an unforgettable moment, thousands lifted their phones and lighters, turning Anfa Park into a sea of stars.
The finale came with «Good Old Days», as confetti rained down and flags waved in every direction. To wrap up the show, Macklemore dove into the crowd wearing a green jersey that read Visit Morocco. «I had no idea what to expect tonight», he said after emerging from the crowd. «But this—this was the show of the summer. Hands down». That's how the night ended, with peace, with love, and with a final shout: «Free Palestine — until it's backwards».
