Despite the arrival of the cold, there is no need to gather together. The weekend agenda in Barcelona is full of music and comedy festivals: one has just opened at Poble Espanyol, designed for those who don’t want to be crowded or wait too long for beer. In Paral·lel, another long-standing and cooperative that promotes local artists and critics. But visiting the Faroes or Say It Loud are not the only musical options: those nostalgic for 90s rock will have to go to the Sant Jordi Club to see the return of Roxette with a new singer. Furthermore, EL PAÍS selects the best humorous proposals of the Hilària festival.
Roxette’s first tour without Marie
Anyone with a memory of the 80s and 90s knows it by heart. Listen to your heart, Dangerous OR Joyride. These are the songs that made the Swedish duo formed by Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson one of the most listened to in the world until, at the beginning of the 2000s, everything was interrupted by a cancer diagnosis. Now, after Marie’s death in 2019, Per and the entire band have decided to return to the stage to pay tribute to her, incorporating another Swedish superstar, Lena Phillipson, to replace her distinctive voice. The tour started in February in South Africa and will arrive this weekend in Valencia (Saturday at the Roig Arena at 9pm) and Barcelona (Sunday at the Sant Jordi Club at 9pm).
Faroe: A quiet festival is born with Squeeze or The Tallest Man on Earth
The idea was born when Albert, 59, thought that today’s festivals were no longer for him. Either he had changed, or the scene had changed. I wanted a musical event where everything was easy and practical; with only one stop, no VIP area, limited capacity and guaranteed round-trip transport. It all becomes reality this weekend at Poble Espanyol, with the first edition of the Faroe Islands (named after the Nordic islands). The more folk and country line-up arrives on Friday with the presentation of The Weather Station Humanity at 7pm After them it’s the Jayhawks’ turn, culminating (at 10pm) with the hypnotic voice of The Tallest Man on Earth. Saturday begins (always at 7pm) with another fascinating entry; that of Valeria June who came from Memphis to perform Owls, omens and oracles. At 8.30pm it will be the turn of Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets and at 10.00pm. the Faroe Islands close with the classics of the British band Squeeze. At midnight you can already be on your way home.
Local and critical discoveries: Say It Loud closes its 16th edition
This cooperative turned record label and music festival has boosted the careers of local artists and critics such as Las Bajas Pasiones or Queralt Lahoz. Its annual party has grown (with limits and without sponsors) into its 16th edition which concludes this weekend in Sala Paral·lel 62. Friday programming is dedicated to local talent and begins at 10pm. with the voice of Emma Yuzz presenting Clementine. After her will come the female rap of CHA and the fun live electronic music of Mogambo. On Saturday the evening starts at 8.30pm. with mixes of cumbia, salsa or dancehall by La Niña Mai to give way to concerts by the British Bitty McLean and the Berlin-based Sorvina. The end of the party (at 00:45) will be with the reggae sessions of veteran David Rodigan.
Barcelona has its own humor festival and it’s called Hilària
A cultural event is already underway that proves that Catalan humor is adding more and more talents and fans. The Hilària festival started on Tuesday and until this Sunday brings together in El Molino the most famous comedians and communicators of the Catalan scene such as Òscar Dalmau (tonight at 8pm), Natza Farré (tomorrow at 8pm) or even Marc Sarrats and Arnau García with their show Actitud de Cóctel (tomorrow at 10.30pm). On Sunday, Sala Parallel·lel 62 hosts the two most original proposals: at 6.00 pm. the La Calòrica company was invited to participate in a dialectical battle between actors and comedians. And, at 8.30pm, director Dani de la Orden will undergo a “roast”, in which comedians like Andrés Fajngold or Indicatiu will tell him anything but nice (with all the respect in the world). We advise those interested to purchase tickets for the shows on the festival website as soon as possible.
