For decades, Barcelona had lived with its back to the sea. But with the 92 Olympic Games, we opened up to the Mediterranean and, since then, our identity has been linked to the coast. Today, more than thirty years later, it is no longer enough to look at the sea; now we want to enjoy it with all possible rhythm. This is how Blaumarí Music, a festival on the water, was born, allowing us to experience first-class concerts in a unique setting like Port Vell.
It is a festival designed for the people of Barcelona that invites us to reclaim our Mediterranean DNA. Blaumarí turns the surface of the sea into the city's new meeting point; a space where Barcelonians can feel the rhythm while enjoying an unparalleled perspective of the city.
The sea becomes a platform for music, culture, and leisure with Blaumarí Music
At the Blaumarí Port Vell press conference, there was a sense that something was changing. David Pino, director of the Port of Barcelona, did not hide an "enthusiastic illusion." And it is that this project is not just a series of concerts: it is the new heartbeat of an iconic space. The idea is simple and, at the same time, ambitious: to take people 500 meters from the Columbus statue to enjoy an environment through which until now only boats and passing tourists traveled.
Blaumarí is born with the desire to become the "festival of Barcelonians." Martí Pérez, promoter of the event, emphasized a concept that resonated strongly: Barcelonian pride. "We want people to make the port their own," he stated, and to achieve this, they had to "get into a lot of trouble," according to his own words.
A lineup full of great national and international artists
The Blaumarí program, which is already 75% complete, avoids labels. It is a transversal, almost intergenerational lineup. The great milestone is the presence of The Cardigans (June 16). The Swedish band had not performed in Barcelona for two decades, and the fact that they will only offer five concerts in all of 2026 and one of them is here says a lot about the project's seductive power.
But the Blaumarí lineup will feature many musical styles:
- 10/06 – Rosana: The Canary Islands singer-songwriter returns to fill the port with her optimism and her usual songs.
- 12/06 – Kamasi Washington: The great renovator of contemporary jazz will bring his sound over the waves.
- 13/06 – Carlos Núñez: The master of the Galician bagpipes will make us travel through Celtic traditions with the Mediterranean breeze.
- 14/06 – UB40 feat. Ali Campbell: The legendary voice of British reggae will set the tropical rhythm at sunset in Barcelona.
- 16/06 – The Cardigans: The elegant pop of the Swedes will take us back to the 90s with hits like Lovefool.
- 17/06 – Gipsy Kings by André Reyes: Rumba, passion and guitars for a night of party and Catalan rumba in Port Vell.
- 18/06 – Sau (A movie concert): Pep Sala revives the legacy of the most iconic Catalan rock band.
- 19/06 – Xoel López: One of the freest artists of Spanish pop-rock will move us in the port.
- 20/06 – Habaneras Night: The essential event for lovers of maritime tradition, burnt rum and classic songs.
- 21/06 – Nile Rodgers & Chic: Madonna and David Bowie's producer will turn the sea into a funk dance floor.
- 22/06 – DJ Symphonic: A surprising fusion where electronic music meets symphonic music.
- 24/06 – Joss Stone: The queen of British soul will captivate us with her voice.
- 25/06 – Alan Parsons Live Project: The progressive sound arrives at Blaumarí with this renowned artist.
- 26/06 – La Traviata: Verdi's opera leaves the theaters in an open and unparalleled format.
- 27/06 – James: The Manchester indie-pop icons will bring their songs to the city's most unique stage.
- 28/06 – Rufus Wainwright: The singer-songwriter's sensitivity will close the festival with a concert that promises to be pure emotion.
Moll Blaumarí: the stage for emerging talent
Another of the festival's bets is the Moll Blaumarí, also known as the Village. This is where the music will start every afternoon before the big concerts. The promoters have insisted that the emerging artists who will perform in this space have the same quality as the headliners.
Names like Raquel Lúa, Belén Natalí, Leitón or Andrea Santiago will have a real promotion platform in this space. "We give them the place they need to shine," they explained. This is a commitment to emerging music that shows that Blaumarí is not only a luxury showcase, but also an incubator of talent.
Gastronomy by BN Grup
Adrià Bonell, from BN Grup, added a touch of realism and pleasure to the presentation: "Music with a full stomach feels much better." Blaumarí has entrusted the gastronomic management to 14 leading restaurants in the city. The offer will be a selection of their greatest culinary hits, including the famous pizzas from Trafalgar Pizza Club, tacos, oysters, and signature tapas.
The goal is for Moll Blaumarí to become a meeting point in itself, where the public can go to dinner and enjoy the Blaumarí Cocktail, an R&D creation that aims to pay homage to the Mediterranean spirit of Barcelona and will only be available during the festival days.
Excellence in details
The Pérez family knows that success lies in those things that often go unseen, but change everything: cleanliness, staff friendliness, and punctuality. "As we say in the family: the bathrooms have to be better than at home," they commented with laughter.
The concert format will be flexible, with seated and mixed areas (standing and with chairs), designed for everyone to be comfortable: from the opera fan who will come to see La Traviata (June 26) to those who want to dance with Xoel López (June 19).
"You come to live memories that are later etched in your mind and on your skin."
A summer of memories etched on the skin
Blaumarí Port Vell presents itself as a puzzle where each piece (the sea, music, gastronomy, and the city) fits perfectly. With the support of the Port and the healthy madness of promoters who still dare to dream, Barcelona prepares to experience a month of June where the Mediterranean will become a new space for culture. Because, as was said during the press conference: "You come to live memories that are later etched in your mind and on your skin."