Many times we Barcelona people do not look beyond the borders of the capital. Even though there is an urban continuum that in the case of Barcelona includes at least nine municipalities, we tend to forget that there is cultural life in the so-called peripheries. For example, it seems like a lie that we so rarely cross the Riera Blanca and look at the important musical dynamism that Hospitalet de Llobregat has had for years, another leg of Barcelona’s music scene.
For this reason, festivals like Lets are dates to note on the calendar: they serve to remind us that not everything ends at Sant Jordi or at the four reference rooms in the capital. The 19th edition, which starts today from February 16 to March 23, also has the organization of the Salamandra hall, which has already accumulated almost 30 years as a pillar of musical activity in the second city of Catalonia. And it arrives with a poster in which the main sign of identity remains Spanish indie pop.
As if it were a tribute to the first edition, Iván Ferreiro (16/III) and La Habitación Roja (8/III) repeat as headliners. Both, classics of peninsular indie, were already there in 2006 and seem to be subscribed to the cycle: it will be the third time for the Galician, while the Valencians will already be going for the sixth. They will share the spotlight with other colleagues from their generation and also regulars at Lets, Pamplona’s El Columpio Asesino (24/II). From the same wave, although younger – inheritors of the previous ones – Madrid’s Niña Polaca stand out ( 23/II).
And even younger and representing the queer collective will be the Valencian Jimena Amarillo (16/II), who will bring, for the second time to the festival, her original song between indie and urban music, vindictive and introspective at the same time. After his celebrated debut album Como decirte, mi amor, 2023 has consolidated thanks to La pena no es cómo, in which he adds to his classic lyrics a new palette of sonic colors that has convinced many.
The festival always tends to leave a hole for indie in Catalan and, on this occasion, it will be well personified by La Ludwig Band from Emporda (17/II), who keep touring Catalonia with their fresh style and jokey tone that has so dazzled the public. Also in the same language, the live performance of one of the most popular figures in urban music, Lildami (2/III), will stand out.
As in recent editions, Lets will have other stages in addition to the aforementioned Salamandra. Among which there will be, taking note of L’Hospi’s rich scene of rooms, clubs and bars, Espai Zowie, the River room and El Pumarejo. Marcelo Criminal, Krissia, Ruïnosa y las Strippers de Rahola, Ven’nus and much more (see schedule) complete the line-up.
