This high energy festival is devoted to the feats of the Gnawas, a spiritual brotherhood best known for their tasselled hats which spin wildly as they enter a music-induced trance. Every year since 1998 the Gnawa masters have invited international musicians from all genres - including jazz, pop, rock, hip hop and reggae - to play with them. There are traditional performances, showcases for up-and-coming local groups, folk and acoustic acts and even an electro-fusion stage where traditional musicians and DJs play together nightly. But the big draw cards are the Moulay Hassan Stage and the Bab Marrakech Stage where old and new combine to produce musical fusions guaranteed to get your toes tapping and you head spinning.

Past participants have included Randy Weston, Adam Rudolph, The Wailers, Pharoah Sanders, Keziah Jones, Omar Sosa and Doudou N'Diaye Rose. The event continues to grow in popularity; around 20,000 people turned up to the inaugural event in 1998 compared with roughly 500,000 in 2007.

Witness what has been described as the "best jam session on the planet" at the Gnawa and World Music Festival, a free annual music festival held over four days in June in the picturesque port town of Essaouira.

Past participants have included Randy Weson, Adam Rudolph, The Wailers, Pharoah Sanders, Keizah Jones, Omar Sosa and Doudou NDiaye Rose. The event continues to grow in popularity; around 20,000 people turned up to the inaugural event in 1998 compared with roughly 500,000 in 2007.

This laid-back coastal town has long been a traveller's favourite but turn up in June and the town comes alive; full of music aficionados from all over the world - eagerly waiting for the music to start. The festival is also hugely popular with locals and around 10,000 foreigners turned up in 2007.

Past participants have included Randy Weson, Adam Rudolph, The Wailers, Pharoah Sanders, Keizah Jones, Omar Sosa and Doudou NDiaye Rose. The event continues to grow in popularity; around 20,000 people turned up to the inaugural event in 1998 compared with roughly 500,000 in 2007.

The 2007 festival saw 25 Gnawa groups, around 250 Moroccan artists, 150 foreign musicians (including French guitarist Louis Bertignac) and almost 500,000 visitors.

Past participants have included Randy Weson, Adam Rudolph, The Wailers, Pharoah Sanders, Keizah Jones, Omar Sosa and Doudou NDiaye Rose. The event continues to grow in popularity; around 20,000 people turned up to the inaugural event in 1998 compared with roughly 500,000 in 2007.