Meteor Airlines is a Moroccan musical group formed in 2016 in Kalaat M'Gouna,[1] whose music blends traditional Amazigh sounds with modern rock.[2] The band's members are originally from Tinghir,[3] and their unique style has garnered attention both locally and internationally, with their music often exploring themes of cultural preservation, environmental issues,[4][5] and resilience.[6][2]
Meteor Airlines incorporates elements of Amazigh heritage in both their music and visual identity, including the Azennar cape,[3] which is said to symbolize leadership and unity within the group. In 2024, the band received the National Amazigh Culture Award from the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture, a recognition of their contributions to promoting Amazigh culture.[2]
History
The band was formed in 2016 by three musicians at Meteor Records studio, located in Sidi Boubker, near Kalaat M'Gouna. The band now has several members, including vocalist Ahmed Ennaciri.[7][8] They chose the name "Meteor Airlines" inspired by the meteors and airplanes that illuminated the sky of Sidi Boubker.[9]
In 2017, Meteor Airlines released their debut single, "The Antidote," followed by two more singles, "I Invented Fire" and "Rubber Dreams," in 2018. Their first full album, South by Southeast, was also released in November 2018 and received widespread acclaim within Morocco. In 2019, they were selected to participate in the HIBA Rec program's Rock/Metal session, where they collaborated with producer Alex Cappa. Together, they recorded their new single "Migrate" at Hiba Studio.[9]
In February 2021, they released the single "Tawada" (meaning "travel"), which recounts events in the 1950s and 70s in southeast Morocco, when Félix Mora was recruiting workers from the region, to work in the mines in France.[11]
In April 2023, they released the single "Iblis" (named after the Arabic word for "devil"), whose lyrics were written by Moroccan poet Mohamed Bouazza ben Youssef.[14]
In January 2024, on the occasion of the Amazigh New Year 2974, they released an album titled "Agdal", named after Agdal which is a historical term for "garden" or "private grazing area", and also a traditional resource management system.[15] The album's theme focuses on climate change and its effects, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience,[4] and was part of a collaboration with the Community Heritage Exchange Initiative (CHEI), as well as the U.S. Department of State Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and StoryCenter.[15] The band went on a tour immediately afterwards (from 10 to 20 January 2024), supported by the French Institute in Morocco and Agence de développement de l’Oriental (ADO).[16][17] In April of the same year, they had their first concert in France.[18] In November, they departed in an international tour in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Morocco.[19]
Style and themes
The band's lyrics often explore themes related to their origins, such as harsh climates, poverty, immigration, brotherhood, and love, which they express in both Darija and Amazigh.[9] The band's musical style combines alternative rock with rhythms distinctive to the southeastern region of Morocco. Drawing on the diverse influences of its members, Meteor Airlines blends various genres, including classical music, metal, punk, and pop rock.[9] They incorporate local styles such as Ahidous or Izli, and Gnawa.[14][20]
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