The 12th edition of Visa For Music will take place in Rabat, Morocco, from 19 to 22 November 2025, bringing together over 500 artists and around 1,000 international music professionals. This year’s festival highlights artists from African lusophone countries, celebrating 50 years of independence for several nations, and features performers such as Selma Uamusse, Maura Delgado, and Tabanka Djaz. Across venues like Théâtre Mohammed V, Salle Bahnini, Cinema Renaissance, and Chellah, audiences can enjoy more than 30 live showcases, 12 electronic sets, and free open-air concerts. Beyond performances, the event hosts a professional forum, exhibition stands, and networking sessions, fostering collaboration across the global music scene while maintaining a strong commitment to inclusivity and gender parity.
About VFM
Visa for Music is an annual showcase festival and professional music market held in Rabat, Morocco, that highlights artists from Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. It serves as a key platform for musicians to perform in front of international industry professionals — including festival programmers, promoters, and media — fostering cultural exchange and career opportunities.
Selected artists perform a live showcase and benefit from accommodation, technical support, and professional exposure. While the festival does not cover travel or visa expenses, it offers an invaluable chance to connect with global audiences and expand artistic horizons through performances, workshops, and networking events.
Austrian Artists at VFM 2025
Hadra Rave is a new project emerging from the artistic encounter between Seba Kayan and Orwa Saleh. Both artists are already well established in Austria and abroad with their solo projects. The Vienna-based DJ, producer, and artist Seba Kayan combines hypnotic techno with oriental rhythms and archival sound research in her sets. Syrian oud player Orwa Saleh transforms the ancient tradition of Arabic music with improvisational power and contemporary influences.
The Hadra – a collective ritual of musical and dance ecstasy – is rooted in many Sufi traditions and familiar to both artists through their cultural background. With Hadra Rave, they take up this idea and merge electronic club music with traditional live instruments into a contemporary form of trance. Seba Kayan and Orwa Saleh combine electronic beats with the expressive power of the oud, creating a soundscape that resonates both in clubs and on concert stages. Their interplay unfolds a transcultural musical experience that transcends boundaries, reimagines tradition, and draws the audience into a collective flow.
Hadra Rave at VFM 2025: Thursday, 20th of November, 10:45 p.m. – Chellah Stage, Rabat
The Artists
Seba Kayan – DJ, Producer, Artist & Curator
Seba Kayan is a visionary Viennese DJ, artist, music producer, and curator transforming the music landscape with an unparalleled fusion of sound and culture. Growing up between two worlds and musical influences, Seba decided to combine both her European and Kurdish roots in her unique sound.
Her signature blend includes oriental futuristic electro, techno, and acid — expertly weaving the unmistakable sound of so-called “Oriental” music into ironclad techno frameworks. In doing so, she deliberately breaks away from Eurocentric perspectives and fuses Eastern and Western cultures into a harmonious whole.
“Some artists don’t chase the spotlight. … Her tracks aren’t just made to be heard — they’re made to be felt, questioned, remembered. Her music weaves archival material, diasporic textures, and techno beats into what she calls orientalfuturism: a sound that moves between past and future, tradition and transformation.” – London Daily Post, August 2025
Orwa Saleh – Oud Player & Composer
From ancient Syrian tales to contemporary expressions, Orwa Saleh creates music that bridges cultures and experiences. His work reflects the stories of the home left behind, the new home being built, and the journey between them.
Born and raised in Syria, Orwa developed a deep connection to Arabic musical traditions early in life. After relocating to Austria, he continued to evolve artistically by blending these roots with bold, contemporary compositions. Through this approach, he has crafted a distinctive and vibrant sound.
Renowned for his innovative approach to the oud, Orwa combines exceptional virtuosity with a strong passion for the instrument’s rich traditions. Known for pushing the oud beyond its traditional boundaries, he explores new sonic territories and continuously redefines what the instrument can express. He weaves riffs, stories, and poems into his music, creating a thoughtful dialogue between ancient traditions and modern voices.
Through his performances and collaborations, Orwa connects diverse cultures and listeners in a shared musical experience.
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Supported by Austrian Music Export.