Who? Javiera Mena When? July 3 Where? Monumental Club (Plaza Monumental)
It is always a pleasure to see one of the most influential Latin artists of this century back in Barcelona. Resident in Madrid and a totem of electronic pop, the Chilean Javiera Mena is a safe bet for any festival that aims to make you dance. Even more so when the singer presents new material: an EP called I. Entusiasmo in which she further expands her artistic and spiritual radar. Her career is an example of wonderfully managed evolution and maturity: each new song improves in depth, open-mindedness, and lyrical quality compared to the previous one.
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Who? Tarta Relena When? July 7 Where? Teatre Grec
Tarta Relena is not an ordinary group, it is a miracle. This Catalan duo, emerged from the strictest underground (they still release their albums on an independent label), have built a most particular, experimental, and folkloric universe. After their acclaimed debut, Ora pro nobis (2019), Marta Torrella and Helena Ros combine their collaborations with María Arnal i Marcel Bages with the presentation of Intercede pro nobis, their confined songs released last year. A dreamlike exercise that places the voice at the base of everything.
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Who? Various artists When? July 8, 9 and 10 Where? Cruïlla Festival at the Fòrum
It was about time: massive festivals are back in the city. Hated by some and loved immeasurably by others, Cruïlla will kick off the post-coronavirus return. It offers a lineup that combines some of the best national proposals and dares, and this is new compared to other festivals, with foreign names. The dancing Two Door Cinema Club, The Editors, Ana Tijoux or the classics Morcheeba will come to the Fòrum. Of the rest, proposals often seen in these parts but with a pull stand out: La Casa Azul, Carolina Durante, Manel or Kase O.
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Who? Da Souza When? July 10 Where? Monumental Club (Plaza Monumental)
As much as we repeat it ---and believe me, we do--- we never tire of saying it: Da Souza are the best Catalan pop group in the country. Nobody combines perfect melodies, incredibly intelligent lyrics, and unbeatable choruses like this insular quintet. After the acclaimed Salsa agredolça, this summer they present a new four-song EP, Boleros, featuring the irresistible Pep, a single famous in Mallorca for being the soundtrack to one of the series of the moment. Their concerts are a delicate gem not to be missed.
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Who? Jorge Drexler When? July 14 Where? Jardins de Pedralbes
At a time when we have generally stopped going to concerts, some festivals are betting on safe values. Jorge Drexler is one of them, one who never fails. Always with an eye on trends ---he collaborates on C. Tangana's latest album--- but faithful to the principles of the classic singer-songwriter, the Uruguayan is not coming to Pedralbes to present an album, although he has given away a song after a period of silence, the delicate Lisboa-Madrid, with Anavitória.
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Who? Bikôkô When? July 15 Where? Finca Pedro i Pons at Vespres de la UB
Named Neï and only nineteen years old, the artistically known as Bikôkô is one of the great hopes of Barcelona's black music scene. Her debut, Aura aura, which draws inspiration from Erykah Badu and D'Angelo paired with African rhythms, is a sonic delicatessen that is collecting new followers with every listen. Bikôkô, who will offer her second concert at Finca Pedro i Pons, is part of the new lineup of the already classic Vespres de la UB series, which this year is held in Vallvidrera.
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Who? Nathy Peluso When? July 17 Where? Jardins de Pedralbes
An earthquake is loose this summer. Her name is Nathy Peluso and she is an Argentine rap singer who has mainly developed her musical career in Spain. A whirlwind on stage, with a venomous tongue and raw dances, Peluso represents the best of the new school of national pop and rap: quality and daring in abundance. Hers will be the second visit to Pedralbes this summer, and second sold-out, as it could not be otherwise. Her latest novelty is Gato malo, with the millionaire Colombian reggaeton artist Karol G.
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Who? Duki When? July 25 Where? Nits al Fòrum del Primavera Sound
At just 24 years old, Mauro Ezequiel Lombardo Quiroga, Duki by his stage name, is one of the great spearheads of Argentine urban music. His international fame was forged, above all, in 2019, when he was nominated for a Grammy for Goteo and appeared on Bad Bunny's celebrated YHLQMDLG. Much earlier he was already a legend in Argentina, where he gained fame in open mic battles. It is not his first visit to the city, but seeing him gives an idea of how the inexhaustible quarry of urban music in Latin America works.
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Who? Valentina & The Electric Post When? July 29 Where? Heliogàbal
That Heliogàbal is slowly recovering its activity after its battered last year and a half is great news. This summer the concerts do not stop and, even if in a tiny format, the music will not stop playing. One of the most interesting concerts they will present this summer is that of Valentina & The Electric Post, a project in which Ildefons Alonso, drummer of El Petit de Cal Eril, participates alongside Valentina Risi. A mix of folk and electronics that in the Gràcia bar presents The Line (Hidden Track Records, 2021), their second full-length album.
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Who? 31FAM When? August 6 Where? Share Festival at the Estadi Olímpic
Absolute references of urban music in Catalan. The band from Sabadell has been responsible for raising the genre to a higher division practically by themselves, especially given the great lack of references in the native language. They present their latest album, the excellent Jetlag, a work that keeps them at the top of the throne: the present and future pass through their microphone, and this is good news. Their concert at the Estadi Olímpic is held within the framework of the Share Festival, one of the urban classics in Barcelona.
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