Moroccan music festivals face criticism over opaque programming and artist exclusion

Mufid Al‑Sabbai, a manager for several Moroccan artists, told news outlet Akhbarna that festival organizers often provide no clear contact information, leaving professionals unable to submit or follow up on their work. He said many festivals are programmed without transparency, with the same well‑known performers repeatedly selected while younger or less‑connected artists are left out. Al‑Sabbai suggested creating a unified national platform listing festivals, responsible bodies, and contact details to improve access and fairness.

Other observers note that Moroccan summer festivals consistently feature a narrow roster of popular singers such as Hatim Amour, Dunia Batma, and Zohair Bahawi, while successful newcomers like Raja Blemir and Salma Rashid rarely receive slots. Critics argue that organizers prioritize digital metrics and guaranteed ticket sales over artistic diversity, leading to wage disparities and limiting opportunities for emerging talent.