Taking place 28-31 March 2019
The original Beat Hotel was in Paris from 1933 to 1963. It was small and run down, but had a strong legacy that lives on through the literature of its principal residents. A place of unbridled and raw creativity, with Allen Ginsberg, Peter Orlovsky, William Burroughs and Brion Gysin all all calling it home at one time or another. These names wrote some their most memorable works in the late 50s and early 60s whilst at the hotel. Today, the Beat Hotel’s original intent and purpose has been captured and reimagined as a four-day residency with a cultural programme of music, food & creativity and, a hotel.
The Beat Hotel has announced a four-day escape on the outskirts of Marrakech – from the 28th–31st March 2019. Set in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, the Beat Hotel’s first international adventure features a line-up of live music and DJs, one-time only culinary collaborations – as well as a talks programme with some of today’s finest cultural observers, minds and voices.
“Inspired by the Beat Generation’s quest for creativity without boundaries” The Beat Hotel made its first come back at Glastonbury in 2011, providing refuge for artists and punters, much like its mid-century namesake in Paris. Just like the first Beat guests, who travelled to Morocco in pursuit of inspiration and culture, the Beat Hotel’s next chapter begins.
From day to night, a diverse music programme showcases both local and international talent. Among those live acts to be announced, charged Edinburgh-trio Young Fathers appear alongside electronic duo Maribou State, the Brian Eno-endorsed spiritual multi-instrumentalist Laraaji and London indie foursome Teleman. With daytime pool sessions and late night villa parties happening around the palm-tree laden 27-acre site, the DJ line-up includes some of the most globally-revered selectors including Hunee, Haai, Gerd Janson and Gilles Peterson. DJ/producer Yasmean and Astrofever Records’ Polyswitch represent Morocco’s burgeoning scene.
As much about intelligence as it is about live acts, Beat’s literary programme has been pulled together by publishing house Faber & Faber, and will pull on 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.
