Several new voices on the Catalan music scene feature in a series of pocket concerts in the gardens of the Teatre Grec, preludes to the theatre, dance and music shows on the programme at the Montjuïc venue. A fascinating taste of emerging musical talent.
Thursday, July 2
(Coinciding with the performances of Vorònia, by La Veronal)
Joan Rovira
One of the most pleasant surprises this season was the arrival of this artist, born on the banks of the River Ebro, who scored a hit on YouTube with his version of Sting’s classic Englishman in New York. In his music, Rovira takes inspiration from everyday stories experienced first-hand.
Wednesday, July 8
(Coinciding with the concert by Joan Manuel Serrat)
Halldór Mar
This folk singer-songwriter, born in Reykjavik, has participated in countless projects, such as the group Wiggum, achieving fame thanks to his versions of classics from the Nova Cançó Catalan song repertoire. In 2014, he released Winds, an album of ten Catalan folk songs sung in English, and which he will now perform live.
Thursday, July 9
(Coinciding with the concert by Ismael Serrano)
Senior
Senior i el Cor Brutal, a band from Valencia, employ an unusual degree of intelligence when it comes to composing words and music. Their latest recording, El poder del voler (Best Album of 2014 according to the critics at Enderrock magazine) is full of those well-rounded songs that seem to come so easily to Senior. Tonight we will hear him on his own, in an intimate, introspective show.
Thursday, July 16
(Coinciding with the performances of Amor i Shakespeare)
Esther Condal
As she demonstrates on her album, Home, a blend of jazz and UK pop, Esther Condal possesses one of the most elegant voices on the music scene today. Her passion for Tom Waits, Jeff Buckley, The Smiths and so on, combined with her mastery of jazz techniques, make her unique, whether accompanied by a band or, as now, breathing her songs gently into your ear.
Friday, July 17
(Coinciding with the performances of Amor i Shakespeare)
Solà & Estella
Albert Solà and Sergi Estella are two young singer-songwriters from the Vallès region whose latest enterprise, inspired by US folk, has found favour with the critics. Solà recently released his second solo LP, whilst Sergi Estella is the singer with Empty Cage (the band that won the Sona 9 competition in 2013). As a duo, they perform a repertoire of American folk classics, impressing all and sundry with their talent and mutual understanding.
Saturday, July 18
(Coinciding with the performances of Amor i Shakespeare)
Clara Andrés
Entrelínies is the title of the album released this year by Clara Andrés, an artist from Valencia. The songs on this record are performed with a fragility and a shyness that only add to their charm. Audiences will be grateful for this chance to see her perform in a small-format show, so as not to miss any of the nuances of her poetry.
Sunday, July 19
(Coinciding with the performances of Amor i Shakespeare)
Fred i Son
Fred i Son’s elegant, charming pop sounds make them the critics’ darlings, as we saw in the reviews for the band’s latest EP, El carter, released last December. El carter is a lesson in indie pop by a duet (Elisenda Daura and Xavi Rosés) that is now transformed into a quartet by the addition of Xesc Cabot and Cristian Pallejà.
Saturday, July 25
(Coinciding with the performances of N Ninet'InfernO)
Judit Neddermann
Hers is one of the most in-demand voices on the Catalan music scene, and she has worked with artists and ensembles that range from Coetus, Clara Peya and The Gramophone Allstars to the Quartet Brossa. However, at her concert in the Teatre Grec gardens, she will perform pop-folk songs from her first solo album, Tot el que he vist.
Monday, July 27
(Coinciding with the performances of Il n'est pas encore minuit, by Compagnie XY)
Xarim Aresté
We discovered Xarim Aresté’s lead guitar skills when he fronted Very Pomelo, but he also played rhythm guitar when Sopa de Cabra returned, and he accompanied Gerard Quintana on his recent tour, going on to record the album Tothom ho sap with the vocalist. Now, Xarim brings his unique brand of rock to the gardens of the Teatre Grec, where he will present tracks from La rosada,his latest solo album, recently released.
Tuesday, July 28
(Coinciding with the performances of Il n'est pas encore minuit, by Compagnie XY)
Coriolà
Finalists in the Sona 9 competition in 2012, this band from Maresme county so impressed Miqui Puig that he produced their first album. They then went on to win over Catalan audiences with their mischievous pop-rock, perfect for large venues... or pocket concerts, like the show they will perform in the gardens of the Teatre Grec.
Wednesday, July 29
(Coinciding with the performances of Nit de Tango)
Yacine & The Oriental Groove
A reflection of his passion for discovering new things and acquiring experiences, Yacine Belahcene tirelessly reworks his music. Having performed with the likes of Cheb Balowski, Nour and Detotarrel, in Yacine & The Oriental Groove he continues to serve up music inspired by the sounds of the Maghreb.
Thursday, July 30
(Coinciding with the concert by Els Amics de els Arts)
Carla
This young musician from Vic is the sister of Joana Serrat, but her own pop is based more on synthesisers, a soulful voice and a dream pop sound that is sometimes soft, at others loud. One of this year’s revelations.
Producció executiva: No Sonores;
