# 15th edition of Mawazine Festival

15th Edition of Mawazine Festival (2016)
The 15th edition of the Mawazine Festival, an international music festival held annually in Rabat, Morocco, took place from May 20 to May 28, 2016. The festival featured performances from renowned international and local artists across multiple stages in Rabat.
OLM Souissi Stage The OLM Souissi stage, known for hosting international artists, was inaugurated on May 20, 2016, with a performance by American R&B singer Chris Brown. The following day, Australian rapper Iggy Azalea performed in front of approximately 90,000 spectators.
Other notable performances included:
French pop star Maître Gims Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean Jamaican artist Shaggy American rapper Pitbull French singer Kendji Girac The most attended performances on this stage were by Dutch DJ Hardwell, who attracted approximately 180,000 attendees, and American singer Christina Aguilera, whose concert drew a record audience of 250,000 people. Aguilera's performance was also the most attended concert by a female Western entertainer at the festival.
Nahda Stage The Nahda stage primarily featured Arab artists. Lebanese singer Diana Haddad opened the stage, performing in front of thousands of fans. Other prominent artists included:
Lebanese composer Melhem Barakat Iraqi singer Hatem Al-Iraqi Lebanese singer Yara Tunisian singer Saber Rebaï Notable performances:
Lebanese singer Myriam Fares made her festival debut after the birth of her son. Egyptian singer Sherine performed following her earlier announcement of retirement. Lebanese singer Assi El Helani performed in front of 80,000 spectators. Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred attracted 140,000 attendees on May 27, 2016. Bouragrag Stage The Bouragrag stage featured a mix of international and African artists, including:
Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré American jazz musician Marcus Miller Nigerien guitarist Bombino Pakistani qawwali singer Faiz Ali Faiz Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin and The Afrobeat Experience Cuban pianist Omar Sosa National Orchestra of Barbes The festival concluded on May 28, 2016, with a closing performance by Mokhtar Samba.
Salé Stage The Salé stage predominantly featured Moroccan artists and welcomed a diverse lineup, including:
Hatim Idar Mohammed Reda Zinab Oussama DJ K-Rim Rhany Saida Fikri Fatima Tachtoukt (Amazigh diva) Najat Tazi Aminux (Tangaoui pop singer) Sami Ray Kader Japonais Hoba Hoba Spirit (Moroccan band) Gabacho Maroc Darga Alamri Chaabi singers Hajib and Abdelaziz Stati Moroccan rappers Muslim, H-Kayne, and H-name Douzi Rachid Berriah, Rachid Casta, Bilal El Maghribi, and Hamid El Mardi The highlight of the stage was the performance by Moroccan Chaâbi singer Najat Aatabou, which attracted a record-breaking audience of over 300,000 spectators, making it the most attended show by a female entertainer at the festival.
Chellah Stage The Chellah stage featured performances from artists representing diverse musical traditions:
Iranian singer Alireza Ghorbani French vocalist Noëmie Waysfeld Japanese musician Kakushin Nishihara Spanish cellist Gaspar Claus The Musicians of Cairo Souffles Quartet Italian musician Antonio Castrignanò Flamenco artist Ines Bacán Moroccan musician Majid Bekkas Spanish guitarist Pedro Soler Théâtre Mohammed V The Théâtre Mohammed V hosted performances from well-known artists across multiple genres. Iraqi singer Kadhim Al-Sahir opened the festival with a sold-out show. Other notable performances included:
Tango ensemble Alma de Tango Palestinian band Le Trio Joubran Belgian singer Natacha Atlas Qawwali Flamenco fusion artists French singer Imany Mexican guitarist Paco Renteria Algerian band El Gusto Syrian musician Safwan Bahlawan References
* ↑ "Christina Aguilera Breaks Record After 250,000 Fans Attend Morocco Concert - That Grape Juice.net". thatgrapejuice.net. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
* ↑ "Christina Aguilera performed for 250,000 people in Morocco, the largest crowd for a female entertainer to date!". twitter.com. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
* ↑ "Cette star marocaine a battu le record d'affluence de Mawazine 2016". h24info.ma. Archived from the original on 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2016-05-31.