Israel Fernández, Estrella Morente and Lin Cortés captivated the audience on the floating stage of Lanuza
The first weekend of the 31st edition of Pirineos Sur concluded with two nights dedicated to flamenco, providing a snapshot of the current state of this timeless genre. While the first night featured established acts such as the tribute to "La leyenda del tiempo" and the Estrella Morente concert, yesterday's performances shone brightly thanks to the talents of Israel Fernández and Lin Cortés, two of the most relevant and innovative artists of the moment.
Lin Cortés opened the night, performing for the first time at Pirineos Sur. The Jaén native has built a career elegantly fusing flamenco with soul and funk. But for his debut, he prepared a more classic, intimate setlist, full of nuanced details. He appeared before his audience alone, elegantly dressed, singing his sorrows. White suit, black shirt, blood-red guitar, art in his veins.
With the same understated elegance, his band appeared on stage. Amidst handclaps, backing vocals, guitars, bass, cajón, and horns, they crafted a solid concert, revisiting his classic repertoire (“Minotauro,” “El jardín de la memoria,” “La duda,” etc.), and including well-placed covers (“Y será verdad” by Vicente Amigo, “Entre dos aguas” by Paco de Lucía); a smooth performance, but with a powerful impact. As night fell, Cortés gained momentum and couldn't stay seated, ultimately leaving the audience more than satisfied and treating them to one of the most anticipated songs of the evening, “Novia moderna.”
Israel Fernández also made his debut last night on the floating stage in Lanuza. He came to present his latest and very well-received work, “Pura sangre” (Pure Blood). The album cover features a beautiful horse, but for the flamenco singer, true beauty lies in sincerity. It's something his music conveys, with a voice that knows how to move the listener, and which he manages to bring to his concerts, always accompanied by Diego del Morao on guitar.
Seated, and dressed as the occasion demanded, Fernández opted for red, gray, and black, but with the same elegance and bearing that his long hair bestowed upon him. Ané Carrasco on percussion, Marcos Carpio and Ángel Moreno “Pirulo” on palmas (handclapping), flanking the singer and guitarist, began with the driving clapping of “La soleá de mi casa.” But, by the third song, Fernández and del Morao had taken sole command of the stage to play a flamenco tango.
This was just the beginning of a series of memorable moments that night: the collaboration with Lin Cortés on stage, Morao's brilliant guitar virtuosity in performing a bulería, and the two songs Fernández offered solo at the piano, which proved truly impressive. Because this singer, in addition to possessing songs that are above average, has a stage presence, a voice, and a feeling that few can match these days.
On a pilgrimage around the world
Music will return to the Lanuza stage on Thursday the 11th with performances by Meute and Rodrigo Cuevas. Meute, a German band of eleven members, tours the world performing covers of electronic tracks (such as Disclosure's "You and Me" or Âme's "Reg," the song that launched their career) using the instruments of a traditional band. Rodrigo Cuevas is one of the leading figures in the new, revitalized roots music scene, with outstanding works like "Manual de romería" (2019) and acclaimed songs such as "Muerte en Motilleja" and "El día que nací yo." His concerts are a collective celebration, a rave, where modernity and tradition blend seamlessly, all underscored by his personal magnetism.
And for a real party, Mr. Pendejo, a festival resident for many years, will be throwing a show in the tent . He's a true expert in Black music and all its variations, always creating the most explosive sonic combinations in sets where analog and electronic music dance together on the same dance floor. Jazz, jungle, soul, cumbia, dubstep, disco, Afrobeat… his musical selection knows no bounds.
The rest of the weekend will be one of the most intense of this year's Pirineos Sur festival. Friday the 12th will see Vetusta Morla, one of the most important indie bands of recent years, make their debut on the Pirineos Sur stage, having sold out weeks ago. Loreena McKennitt will take to the floating stage on Saturday the 13th. This veteran Canadian artist is the undisputed queen of Celtic-influenced music. In 1991, she released "The Visit," the landmark album she is revisiting, more than thirty years later, on this anniversary tour. Closing out the first weekend will be a familiar face at the festival: Lila Downs (who has already performed twice). The Mexican singer arrives in Lanuza on Sunday the 14th to present her latest work, "La Sánchez." But that same day will also feature another key figure in cultural fusion: Mulatu Astatke. The Ethiopian multi-instrumentalist is considered the progenitor of Ethio-jazz.
