Open The Gate Presents Gnawa Blues All Stars

As part of their African Series at SOAS, Open The Gate is pleased to present Gnawa Blues All Stars for an evening of Live traditional Moroccan Gnawa (sacred trance music from Morocco) and Gnawa Fusion pushing new boundaries with music from West Africa, Caribbean, Asia and South America.


The band is led by moroccan artist Simo Lagnawi playing traditional Sintir, a Moroccan three stringed skin-covered bass plucked lute, used by the Gnawa people.

Gnawa Blues All Stars always welcome different guest musicians fusing Gnawa with music from countries such as Gambia, Burkina faso, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, India, Japan, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.

Since their UK debut in 2008, Gnawa Blues All Stars has performed on most important stages in the UK and Europe, including Glastonbury Festival, V&A, BBC 3 Late Junction Stage, BBC 6Music (Cerys Matthews Show), BBC World Service, British Museum, Leighton House, Larmer tree, Secret Garden Party, Roundhouse, Ritzy, Rich Mix, Hootananny, Wilderness festival, Boom Town Festival, The Third line Dubai, 5.0 Refuse Kuwait, Film Middle East Now Italy, Tabernacle, Troxy, Momo London to name a few.

They also were nominated for 2 SONGLINES Awards '2014 BEST NEWCOMER', and '204 BEST ARTIST'; and Simo Laganwi's debut album 'Gnawa London' was featured 'Top of the World Albums' by Songlines Magazine. He was also the winner of one of the World Music network battle of the bands competition.