The Cruïlla festival – from July 10 to 13 at the Parc del Fòrum in Barcelona – already has a definitive line-up, which adds to the names already presented – The Smashing Pumpkins, Avril Lavigne, Trueno or Peter Fox from the international scene, while among the local stands out Albert Pla, Amaral, Funzo
In revealing the unknowns this Wednesday, the director, Jordi Herreruela, insisted on the diversity that has characterized the festival since the first edition 15 years ago (although, with covid in the middle, this will be the 14th), one of its pillars, in addition to distinguishing itself because it emphasizes the local audience, not growing unnecessarily – with a self-imposed limit of 25,000 people per day – and the desire to be a reflection of the city that hosts it, “the best Barcelona”, according to Herreruela.
Of the four days that the contest lasts, an attempt has been made to ensure that the first two maintain some specificities. Thus, on Wednesday, we wanted to target the younger audience and will be dedicated mainly to urban music, with emerging artists such as Kora or Sila Lua, but also other more established ones such as Rojuu, Figa Flawas and María Escarmiento, and with María Becerra, Trueno, 31Fam and Funzo
Thursday, on the other hand, was reserved for dancing, an idea that arose in the midst of covid, Herreruela recalled: “We need to make a festival where people dance, and after trying it last year we saw that, besides, people know how to dance, and you have to bet on the orchestras”. There will be big names in Latin American roots music such as Chucho Valdés and the 50th anniversary of Irakere, Grupo Niche or “the queen of merengue”, Olga Tañón, and a good dose of rogue rumba has also been scheduled, a pending subject, with proposals such as the Azucarillo Kings, Ladilla Rusa, Albert Pla or La Plazuela.
Friday, more indie airs, with headliners such as Avril Lavigne, Amaral, The Kooks and Kasabian, but Murcian Nunatak, Ganges, Malmö 040, Shinova, Depedro, Rayden or Selah Sue will also be there.
On the last day, there will be space for emerging local talents such as Allergiques al Pôl·len, Roba Estesa, Zetak or Pole, to then move on to more established artists such as Xarim Aresté – “we love it and we think it’s unfair that we don’t have more recognition”, pointed out the director of Cruïlla -, Ginestà o Marala, Oques Grasses and The Tyets – which the festival has seen grow -, to reach great figures such as The Smashing Pumpkins and The Pet Shop Boys. All without disrespecting music legends like Johnny Marr or artists like Calexico, Aurora (“like bringing together Björk and Taylor Swift”) or !!! (Chk Chk Chk), which will close the festival and, as Herreruela said, “it will be a party”.
