Sami Galbi (CH/MA)

Sami Galbi transforms the North African worker genres raï and chaâbi into intense and charming club music that goes right into dance feet. With drum machines, synths and guitar effects, he creates a colorful and futuristic sound where traditional folk music meets pop and club culture. Following his critically acclaimed debut album “YLH BYEBYE”, Galbi has become a new audience favourite in record time. Come and experience him with his trio at ALICE through October before he takes on the biggest stages.

Swiss-Moroccan multi-instrumentalist and producer Sami Galbi hails from the alternative Swiss music scene, but draws on its parallel musical influences in its deeply personal expression. Rounded from his childhood home by the North African folk and worker genres raï and chaâbi, he on the other hand has an indomitable fondness for the club and the electronic.

With a playful approach to sound and production, Sami Galbi modulates traditional music into a vibrant club atmosphere, turning up tempo, synths and distortion — without losing touch with the melodies and narratives underneath. The dance-inducing debut album “YLH BYEBYE” (Bongo Joe Records, 2025) thrilled the New York Times and Buzz Magazine, among others. The album is produced by Galbi himself and mixed by Tunisian producer Ammar 808, who played a sold-out concert at ALICE last year. When Sami Galbi gives concert at ALICE for October it is in the company of Inès Mouzoune, formerly from (AMAMI, Baby Volcano, Rôshani) as well as drummer and percussionist Yann Hünziker.

Said about Sami Galbi

“Moroccan Sami Galbi debuts with a street-party folk techno gem” — Buzz Magazine

“Sami Galbi applies electronic expertise to modal Arab-inflected North African styles like raï and chaâbi” — The New York Times