Holy Week in Barcelona displays a range of options for those who want to immerse themselves in musical diversity. A variety of festivals fill the streets with rhythms and melodies for all tastes. From Alternative pop rock, experimental flamenco, signature songs and the latest in electronic music, the city becomes a melting pot of sounds that embraces both the classic and the avant-garde.
The legendary Guitar BCN, the festival awarded the Fest award for Best Cycle Festival in Spain, returned to the city in January with its 35th edition, which will last until July. The most emblematic venues in the city receive top-level music. This Friday at 9:00 p.m., the Spaniard Xoel López takes the stage at the Razzmatazz room, presenting his new album, Caldo Espírito. Simultaneously, catchy melodies and poetic lyrics will sound in the Apolo room from the Toledo band Veintiuno. At the Coliseum theater, Canadians The Musical Box, a tribute to the British group Genesis, will play on March 21. Finally, after a year without performing on stage, the Palau de la Música Catalana will host Coque Malla on Friday the 22nd.
The singer-songwriters’ night will take place this Friday the 15th thanks to the Barnasants festival. The Harlem Jazz Club will witness an unforgettable night with Jordi Lanuza, the talented Barcelona artist, who will present an acoustic set with the best of his repertoire. At the Center Artesà Tradicionàrius, Miquel Gil, the Valencian singer-songwriter, will present his latest work, Viatger, a mix of synthetic sounds and traditional elements.
Within the framework of Barnasants, on Saturday, March 16, the Torre Llobeta Civic Center opens its doors to receive the Sororité festival, a celebration that celebrates 15 years since its creation and is organized by the Dona Cançó entity. This event’s main objective is to make visible the work of artists linked to the feminist movement. Among them, the singer and composer Yolanda Pérez stands out with her Brazilian repertoire, Alba Luz and her fusion of flamenco and jazz, and the singer-songwriter Sandra Bautista. Entrance is free and open.
The Suite Music Festival stands as a bastion of music with programming that attracts fans from all over. It continues throughout the year with concerts ranging from the melodic to the experimental. The Merino group, led by Sandra Merino and Álex Gallego, arrives in Barcelona with a show that promises to be “an emotional journey.” The Madrid indie-pop quartet, who surpassed one million views with their collaboration Cerca del Invierno together with Mikel Izal, performs today at the Razzmatazz room.
For those looking to go beyond conventional tunes, the Thinking Music Festival offers a platform to discover emerging artists from across Europe. On March 21, the city gives itself over to the talent of Niño de Elche, an artist who fuses flamenco with free improvisation and electronic music. With collaborations with Rosalía, Los Planetas and C. Tangana, Niño de Elche is recognized for his versatility and his ability to create enveloping sound atmospheres.
Since its creation during the most difficult moments of the pandemic until its third edition in March 2023, the Mostra festival has proven to be a beacon of hope for the Barcelona music scene. More than a festival, it is a celebration that embraces culture and diversity. From March 28 to 31, Montjuïc Castle will host more than 50 hours of electronic music with international artists such as Aina Climent, Night Sea, Patrick Russell or Toxido Mask, among others.
Hard techno fans have an unmissable date at Duro, an event that promises total immersion in the most intense rhythms of the electronic scene. On March 29 and 30, in Montmeló, a poster is presented that includes national and international artists such as Amelie Lens, Chris Liebing, Matrekk, Raxeller and others. On Saturday the 30th, you can also enjoy a visual show, led by the art director Acid Thermal.