ATLAS ELECTRONIC FESTIVAL 2018 ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF ACTS

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John Talabot, Call Super, Mim Suleiman & Esa, Ninos Du Brasil, Nyege Tapes and a six hour back-to-back-to-back session from the full Hessle Audio crew amongst the first wave of acts billed for the 2018 edition of Atlas Electronic Music Arts & Culture Festival in Morocco. 

On August 30-September 2, 2018 Atlas Electronic will return to its spiritual home, the intimate and idyllic ecolodge Villa Janna, at the foot of the Atlas mountain range in Marrakech. The third edition promises another kaleidoscopic mix of African and Western dance music, shared experiences and unique projects exclusive to Atlas Electronic, plus an expansive new arts and cultural program.

Previous editions have welcomed international stars like Floating Points, Gerd Janson, Midland, DVS1, James Holden, Ben UFO and Shanti Celeste to share stages with rising Moroccan talents and traditional musicians like Houariyat, an empowering all-female troupe of singers and percussionists from Marrakech. Authentic exchanges, between people and cultures, is what Atlas Electronic is all about.

Every year the festival has commissioned extraordinary collaborations between local and visiting musicians, and 2018 will be no different. Returning artist Esa Williams, Worldwide FM resident and Ata Kak band member, will perform live with singer Mim Suleiman. He will also be working on several one of a kind projects with Atlas Electronic throughout the year, which will be unveiled in the leadup to the festival.

Atlas Electronic is committed to emerging local scenes and will be inviting the breaking through Casablanca-based artists Yasmean, Driss Bennis and Kosh from the Casa Voyager label back for another round on the decks. As activists and lobbyist behind a proto-self-sustaining music scene that’s beginning to bloom in Morocco, Atlas Electronic is honoured to have the V.I.V. Collective making their debut-proper in 2018.

Mixing otherworld acoustic instrumentation with analog equipment, electronic arrangements and field recordings, French duo Ko Shin Moon is certain to create one of those magical moments you’ll only get at Atlas Electronic. Sahara blues band Amazigh Blues travelled eight hours across the desert to perform in 2017—and moved Shanti Celeste to tears. Booking them again was a no-brainer. Generation Taragalte, another desert band scouted from Taragalte Festival, will be joining them.

Showcases from French crew Brothers From Different Mothers, Hessle Audio and East Africa’s Nyege Nyege Tapes, plus DJs Elias Mazian, Zozo, Worldwide FM resident Tash LC, Max Abysmal, Anu and headliners John Talabot and Call Super complete the first wave of artists to be announced.

But Atlas Electronic is more than just a music festival. In 2018 it will present an expanded arts and cultural program that will pique all of the senses and impart new skills to local and international visitors alike. There will be a chance to see, taste and participate in a range of activities designed to bring you an authentic Moroccan experience like no other.

For more information visit the Atlas Electronic website. Tickets for Atlas Electronic 2018 are now on sale, including Full Atlas Experience Packages and a limited amount of Passe-Partout tickets at early bird prices. 

Line-up (first release music program):

John Talabot
Hesse Audio
Call Super
Ninos Du Brasil (live)
Mim Suleiman (live)
Esa
Génération Taragalte (live)
J-Zbel (live)
The Pilotwings
Judaah
OKO DJ
Groupe Amazigh Blues (live)
Nyege Nyege Tapes Showcase
Elias Mazian
Zozo
Ko Shin Moon (live)
Tash LC
Anu
Casa Voyager
Yasmean
V.I.V.