As spring bursts onto the scene, Marseille is set to become a living map of the world music world. From 20th to 22nd March, Babel Music XP returns, revitalising the legacy of its predecessor, Babel Med Music. Inspired by the myth of Babel, the festival fosters connections across cultures, with each performance blending heritage and forward-looking approaches. More than a decade on, it remains a key annual event for artists, industry professionals, and music enthusiasts worldwide.

For its 2025 edition, Babel Music XP showcases 30 acts from 21 countries, offering a rich panorama of musical traditions and bold fusions. From the delicate interplay of Ablaye Cissoko’s Senegalese kora and Cyrille Brotto’s French accordion to the Gnawa-infused psychedelic rock of Bab L’ Bluz and the politically charged electro-punk of Kinshasa’s Kin’Gongolo Kiniata, each performance brings a unique perspective and energy.

Set in Marseille—a city shaped by centuries of migration and artistic exchange—the festival embodies the spirit of cultural discovery. By day, industry professionals and musicians gather at Friche la Belle de Mai for panels, workshops, and networking. As night falls, live performances and DJ-sets take over venues like Dock des Suds, Alcazar, and Espace Julien, featuring sounds from the Balkans to Brazil, the Korean avant-garde to Algerian electronica.

Here’s a day-by-day guide to an immersive musical long-weekend in Marseille…

Thursday, 20 March

The festival music bonanza begins early on Thursday afternoon at the Cité de la Musique. At 14:30, the opening performance features Ablaye Cissoko and Cyrille Brotto. Cissoko, a griot from Saint-Louis, Senegal, plays the kora—a 21-string harp integral to West African storytelling and spiritual tradition. He collaborates in an intimate dialogue with French accordionist Cyrille Brotto, whose diatonic accordion skills have roots in traditional dance music, known for rhythmic clarity. Together, their performance offers a thoughtful musical exchange marked by lyrical interplay and nuanced melodies, reflecting themes of displacement and cultural blending.

In the evening, the venue Alcazar welcomes Caamaño & Ameixeiras at 20:00. The Galician duo comprises chromatic accordionist Sabela Caamaño and violinist-vocalist Antía Ameixeiras, who reinterpret traditional Galician folk music with subtle contemporary touches. Their repertoire blends impressionistic elements and mysticism, presenting arrangements both ethereal and expressive.

Simultaneously at 20:30, Espace Julien features the Caribbean collective Expéka, comprising artists from Martinique and Guadeloupe. The ensemble merges gwoka percussion traditions, jazz improvisation, and hip-hop influences. Highlighted by rapper Casey and percussionist Sonny Troupé, their set emphasises the cultural vibrancy and modern reinterpretation of traditional rhythms, reflecting the ongoing evolution of Caribbean music.

At 21:15, Alcazar presents Jawa, a group specialising in the Sufi muwashahat tradition from Aleppo, Syria. Led by vocalist Khaled Alhafez, Jawa explores complex Middle-Eastern maqams and rhythmic cycles. Their performance includes a whirling dervish, whose dance symbolises the meditative aspects of Sufi spirituality, contributing to the contemplative and immersive atmosphere.

Following at 21:45, Brama takes the stage at Espace Julien, showcasing a robust fusion of Occitan folk music and psychedelic rock. Originating from the Massif Central region of France, the band incorporates fuzz-laden hurdy-gurdy, powerful guitars, dynamic percussion, and vocals influenced by Limousin traditions, along with elements reminiscent of Pakistani qawwali and German krautrock. Their performance offers an energetic and unconventional musical exploration.

Later, at 22:15 at Le Makeda, the duo Trucs redefines the traditional Pyrenean shepherd bells (“sonnailles“) by integrating them into percussion instruments and mechanical devices. Musicians Alexis Toussaint and Romain Colautti create rhythmic compositions that evoke pastoral life and seasonal migration, blending traditional motifs with experimental soundscapes.

Shortly after, at 22:30, Alcazar hosts BITOI, an electro-folk choir led by Ethiopian-Swedish bassist Cassius Lambe. Featuring vocalists Alexandra Shabo, Lise Kroner, and Anja Tietze Lahrmann, BITOI experiments with choir formats, combining vocal percussion, electronic elements, and organic sounds reminiscent of birdsong, resulting in a fluid, experimental folk-electronic performance.

The night concludes with two distinctive performances at midnight. At Le Makeda, Toulouse-based ensemble Edredon Sensible employs dual saxophones and drum kits, drawing from diverse global influences including North African, Latin American, and Malagasy traditions. Simultaneously, Espace Julien features Shkodra Elektronike, an Italy-based duo originally from Shkodër, Albania. They reinterpret traditional Balkan polyphonic singing through electronic beats and soulful melodies, transforming historical Albanian music into a contemporary, dance-oriented experience.

Friday, 21 March

Friday night kicks off at Dock des Suds – Sucres at 20:00 with Rokh Quartet, an Iranian ensemble deeply rooted in Persian classical music traditions. The quartet features instruments such as the oud, târ, kamancheh, and tombak, delivering intricate interpretations of Persian poetry and refined melodic structures. Their delicate interplay embodies Iran’s rich classical heritage, bringing vivid imagery to life through music.

At 20:30, the Cabaret – Dock des Suds hosts siblings Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta from Connemara, Ireland, perform Gaelic sean-nós songs. Sean-nós—Gaelic for “old style”—is an ornamented, unaccompanied singing tradition. Their voices blend gracefully, often accompanied by sparse instrumental textures, evoking the intimacy and warmth of traditional Irish gatherings.

Back at Dock des Suds – Sucres at 21:15, Salento-born vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Dario Muci honours the musical traditions of his homeland in southern Italy. Singing in multiple languages—including Salentin dialect, Grico (a minority language of Greek origin), Italian, and Arabic—Muci preserves and revitalises songs of rural life, emigration, and community resilience, delivering melodies that feel timeless yet relevant.

At 21:45, Brazilian singer-songwriter and activist Bia Ferreira lights up the Cabaret – Dock des Suds stage. Ferreira, known for championing Afro-Brazilian and LGBTQIA+ communities, blends samba, funk, and afrobeat into a vibrant musical celebration, combining rhythmic energy with compelling social commentary.

At 22:30, Moroccan experimental duo Raskas and the Amazigh women’s troupe Bnat Louz come together at Dock des Suds – Sucres as AZMZ. This cross-generational collaboration merges Tafraout’s ancient Amazigh Ahwach rhythms—traditionally performed by women’s ensembles—with ambient electronic textures, creating mesmerising sonic landscapes that link tradition to contemporary experimentation.

At 23:00, Ukrainian trio Ragapop storms the Cabaret – Dock des Suds with their raw blend of post-punk and lo-fi electronics. Drawing from personal experiences rooted in Ukraine’s conflict-torn Donbass region, their music resonates powerfully with defiance, energy, and dance-driven urgency.

Next, at 23:45, Dock des Suds – Sucres, Kin’Gongolo Kiniata bring a vibrant performance showcasing the creative ethos of Congolese street music. Using recycled instruments, homemade electronics, and lyrics in Lingala, their eclectic style blends elements of electro, Afro-pop melodies, and punk sensibility. Their live shows radiate kinetic energy, reflecting the inventive spirit of Kinshasa’s DIY scene.

Just after midnight, at 00:15, the Cabaret – Dock des Suds lights up with South African hip-hop artist Yugen Blakrok steps into the spotlight. Known for her evocative lyrical depth and compelling stage presence, Blakrok combines thought-provoking rhymes with atmospheric beats produced by Kanif the Jhatmaster, seamlessly fusing classic hip-hop rhythms with an imaginative, futuristic aesthetic.

Following her at 01:15, Ukrainian DJ-producer The Lazy Jesus blends hypnotic electronic grooves with traditional Ukrainian folk motifs. His immersive sets layer driving basslines, regional instrument samples, and haunting vocal snippets, creating a trance-inducing atmosphere where past meets present.

The night concludes at 02:15 at Le Makeda with DJ La Louuve (02:15–03:15), also known as Fazia Lellou. With roots spanning Algeria and Switzerland, she specialises in mixing North African and Middle Eastern styles—raï, shaabi, Afro-gnawa rhythms, and Lebanese dabké—transforming the dancefloor into a vibrant celebration of Mediterranean and Arab musical heritage.

Saturday, 22 March

The festival’s closing day launches energetically at 15:30 at the Grand Plateau with Marseille’s own Boucs!. This trio, fronted by Marseille’s own Sam Karpienia—well-known for revitalising Occitan music traditions—combines gritty electric guitars and Occitan poetry, merging Mediterranean melodies with the raw intensity of rock. Their fresh take bridges regional lyricism and contemporary musical forms, offering a dynamic reinterpretation of local traditions.

Following at 16:45, the cross-cultural collaboration Polyphème presents an inventive musical dialogue between cultures. Featuring the Balinese gamelan ensemble Puspawarna and Franco-Lebanese darbuka virtuoso Wassim Halal, their performance weaves the shimmering resonance of bronze gongs and complex drum rhythms into a hypnotic tapestry. The intricate interplay between structured compositions and improvised percussion creates a mesmerising, dreamlike atmosphere.

As evening arrives at 20:00, Estonian singer-songwriter Mari Kalkun provides a soothing performance at Cabaret – Dock des Suds. Known for her ethereal voice and mastery of Estonia’s traditional stringed instrument, the kannel, Kalkun’s music draws deeply from Baltic folklore, seamlessly blending poetic imagery and natural soundscapes into contemporary songcraft.

At 20:45 on the Dock des Suds – Sucres stage, Breton musician Tangui Le Cras presents his solo project Craze. With the biniou—a traditional Breton bagpipe—he constructs hypnotic, minimalist compositions that fuse the fest-noz tradition’s trance-inducing qualities with rhythmic intensity reminiscent of ritualistic music, evoking both energetic celebration and meditative reflection.

At 21:15 back at Cabaret – Dock des Suds, South Korean duo dal:um offer an innovative interpretation of traditional Korean music through their instruments, the gayageum and geomungo. Musicians Ha Suyean and Hwang Hyeyoung blend precise, minimalist compositions with avant-garde experimentation, crafting meditative yet dramatic pieces that explore both subtlety and emotional intensity.

Meanwhile, at 21:45 at Dock des Suds – Sucres, Moroccan band Bab L’ Bluz, led by vocalist and guembri player Yousra Mansour, ignite the stage with their distinct blend of Gnawa rhythms, funk grooves, and psychedelic rock. Their music captures the vibrant essence of Morocco’s modern “Nayda” youth movement, infusing traditional Hassani and Chaâbi motifs with electrifying modern energy.

At 22:30, the all-female vocal ensemble La Mòssa captivates the Cabaret – Dock des Suds audience. Blending vocal traditions from southern Italy, Spain, Reunion Island, and Occitania, their polyphonic harmonies and percussive rhythms celebrate the strength and beauty of women’s voices united through centuries of song.

Bosnian ensemble Divanhana continues at 23:00 at Dock des Suds – Sucres, bringing fresh perspective to the sevdah tradition. Born out of Sarajevo’s Academy of Music, their performance mixes traditional Bosnian melodies with contemporary jazz and pop influences, highlighting the enduring emotional depth of Ottoman-era sevdalinka.

Just before midnight at 23:45, Swiss-Moroccan DJ-producer Sami Galbi transforms Cabaret – Dock des Suds into a vibrant celebration of Maghrebi culture. His signature blend of raï, chaâbi, and electro-trap rhythms is a joyful invitation to dance, exploring the intersection between tradition and modern club sounds.

Shortly after, at 00:45 at Dock des Suds – Sucres, Algerian electronic innovator Must Rousnam carries the party forward, layering traditional instruments such as the bendir, gasba, and rbab over meticulously crafted electronic beats. His set vividly illustrates Algeria’s folk heritage meeting contemporary dance-floor culture.

The festival reaches its crescendo at 02:00 with Franco-Moroccan DJ and beatmaker Aziz Konkrite and his collective, Siba Sawt-System. With a bold blend of Moroccan protest chants, rural rhythms, and underground rap-inflected electronica, Konkrite’s set serves as a powerful call for unity and freedom, ensuring that Babel Music XP ends on a note of rhythmic defiance and communal energy.