Music and comedy at the new edition of Cruïlla Festival

Intense and especially fun. This is what the four days of the Cruïlla festival will be like, with a double proposal that is not only full of great names in international and local music (Rojuu, Albert Pla, Oques Grasses, Ladilla Rusa…) but also brings to the stage the kings and queens of comedy, including Xavi Daura, Laura Polo, Maria Lyona, Ignatius Farray, Charlie Pee and the essential Venga Monjas. From 10 to 13 July, at Parc del Fòrum.

But do you know the history of Cruïlla? Well, it began as a series of performances in Mataró in 2005 and didn't arrive in Barcelona until 2008, when it became a festival. The 2011 edition was attended by 11,000 people, but the following year the number had already doubled. And the success of the festival continued to grow, reaching over 77,000 attendees in 2019. Possibly, the secret of this success has been the eclectic nature of a festival that seeks a meeting point between different styles.

This is why we find such different names in the programme for this year's festival. You will see representatives of Latin music, such as the Venezuelan Oscar D'León, a legend of the genre, and the Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés, who will present the emblematic Irakere 50 band in a concert that promises great emotions.

Also programmed are great artists of pop, rock and folk music, including Avril Lavigne, who not so long ago marked an epoch musically and aesthetically;  the indie tunes of the British band The Kooks (both on the 12th) and, among many others, the British duet Pet Shop Boys, who star in a show, Dreamworld, full of great hits, and The Smashing Pumpkins, who produce melodies that are sometimes painful and sometimes explosive with eloquent lyrics like those that form part of the new album, Atum, which they are presenting at the festival. Don't forget that, on 13 July, along with Pet Shop Boys and The Smashing Pumpkins, Calexico will be playing, bringing their frontier rock to Forum.

In addition to these international artists (those mentioned above are just a few), the Cruïlla has many artists from the national scene (Amaral and Delaporte play on the 12th; Azucarillo Kings, on the 11th) and, especially on the 10th, an impressive trio of great local talents, including 31 FAM, Figa Flawas and Rojuu. If you want to hear Albert Pla with The Surprise Band performing the songs of Rumbagenarios, you have to come on the 11th of July.

These are just some of the names on the musical programme, but remember that the Cruïlla has a second dimension and that on Friday the 12th and Saturday the 13th of July, a whole host of talents with humour as their battle weapon are waiting for you to have a great time. In addition to the best known (Ignatius Farray, Xavi Daura, Venga Monjas...) you will find many new comedy talents that you should come and see.

If you don't want to miss the Cruïlla festival, go to Parc del Fòrum, but first check out the full programme on the website.