The French-Moroccan band Bab L’ Bluz is sparking a musical revolution in North African blues. In a genre once dominated exclusively by men, the African-Moroccan frontwoman of the band - singer, musician and passionate performer Yousra Mansour - sets the tone with undeniable conviction. Bab L’ Bluz is a driving force behind the vibrant Moroccan youth movement nayda, where a new wave of artists and musicians draws inspiration from local heritage. In the rhythmic, poetic Moroccan-Arabic dialect darija, they sing about freedom, identity, and change.

Their 2020 debut album, aptly titled Nayda!, immediately showcased what Bab L’ Bluz is all about: a captivating fusion of old and new. The band plays traditional North African instruments in entirely innovative ways. The awicha and guembri, both forms of lute, are tuned differently to serve as guitar and bass, creating irresistibly hypnotic riffs. The qraqeb, a castanet-like percussion instrument, plays a key role in the compelling grooves the band delivers. Together, they create a psychedelic and soulful foundation, the perfect backdrop for Mansour’s powerful and mesmerizing voice as she recites her socially engaged lyrics.

Their new album, Swaken (2024), is a tribute to the Maghreb and pulses with energy. Over eleven tracks, you’ll be swept into a rhythmic trance where psychedelic blues, funk, and rock blend with enchanting sounds rooted in North African tribes such as Gnawa, Amazigh, Hassani, and Houara. It’s a musical journey through time and culture, from the roots to the future. Don’t miss out as Bab L’ Bluz heads to Rotterdam - be part of the revolution!