Tom HallThe Beat Hotel has announced a four-day cultural escape on the outskirts of Marrakech from the 28–31 March 2019.
Taking place in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, the Beat Hotel’s first international adventure is set to feature a line-up of live music and DJs, one-off culinary collaborations, and a talks programme.
Inspired by ‘the Beat Generation’s quest for creativity without boundaries’, the Beat Hotel arrived at Glastonbury in 2011, providing a refuge for artists and punters, much like its mid-century namesake in Paris.
Following in the footsteps of the original Beats, who travelled Morocco’s cities and deserts finding inspiration and cultural counterpoints, the Beat Hotel’s next chapter continues in a similar vein.
Among the live acts will be Edinburgh-trio Young Fathers appearing alongside electronic duo Maribou State, the Brian Eno-endorsed spiritual multi-instrumentalist Laraaji and London indie foursome Teleman.
Daytime pool sessions and late night villa parties will also be happening around the palm-tree laden 27-acre site, the DJ line-up includes Hunee, Haai, Gerd Janson and Gilles Peterson. DJ/producer Yasmean and Astrofever Records’ Polyswitch represent Morocco’s burgeoning scene.
As part of a special opening concert, on Thursday 28 March, sufi trance troupe, the Master Musicians of Joujouka, described by William S.Burroughs as a “4000-year-old rock and roll band”, bring the complex rhythms and melodies that have been passed down through generations, and even caught the attention of the original beats. They’re joined by all-female collective Deep Throat Choir bringing their intricately layered vocal arrangements to the inaugural show.
A literary programme, curated by publishing house Faber & Faber, delves into eclectic corners of culture, psychedelia and the occult. Talks and Q&As will feature the likes Irvine Welsh, Booker Prize Winner DBC Pierre and Faber’s Artist-in-Residence, clubland journeyman Andrew Weatherall. Other speakers include DJ/musician Nabihah Iqbal on North Africa’s global music footprint and Daniel Pinchbeck on 21st Century Shamanism. Conceptual artist Jeremy Deller presents a late night film series and cult design company Patternity lead a photo tour of Marrakech.
Showcasing Morocco’s rich flavours and produce, internationally-celebrated chefs serve up alongside leading local gastronomes, for a mix of take-out options and sit-down banquets. London’s Berber & Q, Black Axe Mangal and Salon bring their signature styles, whilst Swedish BBQ maestro Niklas Ekstedt delivers an education in open-fire cooking. Marrakech tastemakers Nomad meanwhile represent the best of Morocco’s home-grown delicacies, continuing the cross-cultural conversation.