Bogatell beach will become this Friday a meeting point for the nightlife of la Mercè with three leading female voices of current urban pop. Mushka, Rigoberta Bandini, and Lia Kali are the stars of the concert lineup for the Mediterràniament stage, already with a reserved date in the agendas of many Barcelonians.
The night promises to be one of the great musical moments of the main festival. Mushka, who at just 21 years old has revolutionized the Catalan scene mixing reggaeton, R&B, and dancehall with an intimate tone; the Barcelona-native Rigoberta Bandini, who returns home in the midst of her new album tour Jesucrista Superstar; and Lia Kali, who fuses rap, flamenco, and soul with a fresh and innovative approach in her latest work, Kaelis, will be in charge of making it a memorable Mercè night.
But there are still many Mercè nights left. Those of this Saturday and Sunday arrive with dozens of proposals, among which stands out that of the Old Estrella Damm Factory. Again, the venue on Rosselló street will host a program that bets on emerging music.
Among the most anticipated proposals for Saturday, is that of Fillas de Cassandra, a Galician duo that has managed to turn folklore and mythology into a hypnotic spectacle of great scenic power, with contemporary electronics and ritual dramaturgy. Also performing will be Ven'nus, Valèria Núñez's project, who has managed to bring punk to a personal terrain, with fresh melodies and an attitude that connects directly with the young audience. The day will be completed by other rising names that make irreverence and experimentation their most distinctive features, such as Chica Acosta b2b Phran and Hadren.
On Sunday, the venue will host a range of styles from urban to the most delicate song. Among the most prominent artists is Ultralone, considered a reference in the Catalan underground scene, with a raw and contemporary sound that draws from rap and alternative pop. There will also be the avant-garde Gigi Ros, who bets on a transgressive and scenically powerful show, and the duo Ani in the Hall, with other artists who will turn the old factory into a meeting point for innovative music.
The musical experience will be complemented by local foodtrucks offering everything from empanadas and milanesas to organic burgers and sweet proposals. There will also be free beer tasting sessions in the Weighing Room and the Filling Good smart, reusable cup will return, reducing queues and keeping beer fresh, in a sustainability initiative.
With these two stages, Estrella Damm once again places itself at the heart of the main festival, giving prominence to both artists who already fill stages and new voices that define the future of local music.