Generational communion

He Giant Festival He returned to Guadalajara this summer. During the three days of music – August 27, 28 and 29 – we enjoyed an intense experience that combined the most varied artists. As the afternoon fell, the venue became the meeting point for different generations, gathered to sing at the top of their lungs the most authentic verses and keep the flame of the independent scene in our country alive.

Thursday, August 27

The first day began with proposals from very different artists. Along with the shows of The Mechanical Goat (who were celebrating twenty-five years since the release of their first album, “When my guts rumble”), Calequi and The Panthers, Estrogenuinas, Commander Twin either Kovthe performances of Angela González, The Parachute Girl, Ángel Stanich and Tere!offering a great artistic variety mostly focused on indie from different perspectives.

With the vocal resonance of Angela Gonzalezevery corner of the venue vibrated to the surface. His voice took us, through its warm nuances, to the most romantic and luminous moments of the night. The turning point came when connecting with “I have a small heart”, a single that reminded us of the importance of feeling and embracing our inner child, completely captivating the audience in a live show full of sensitivity. Without a doubt, the great milestone of the night came when the artist did a double by getting on stage with Lichis, leader of La Cabra Mecánica, to sing together the iconic song “The Shopping List”, giving away one of the most sung moments of the day.

The Parachute Girl They burst onto the stage with vitaminized pop rock, giving voice to the ghosts that torment the new generations every day and reminding us that music is the best refuge from feeling alone. With a youthful aura overflowing with feeling and a bravery willing to break any expectations, the group projected that powerful female voice that the current scene so needs. Listening to them was a trip back in time to an analog era, to that place where the only concern was getting together to create songs among friends. With a sound that resonates directly in the heart and rhythms that embrace from beginning to end, their truth-laden lyrics consolidate them as that allied band that accompanies us, strengthens and gives refuge to all women.

With Angel Stanichirony and magnetism on stage reached its peak. His acid humor and constant lyrical claim turned his performance into an authentic lesson in psychedelic rock, demonstrating why his live performance continues to be one of the most genuine and unclassifiable shows on our scene. Total third change with TERE!

If we are looking for a truly multifaceted project, we must come across the proposal of TERE! With his multilingual vision, he not only manages to connect with a restless audience looking for answers, but also turns his live show into a space accessible to everyone. Their melodies combine a richness of complex yet natural chords, wrapped in an acoustic and futuristic atmosphere, which captivates from the first song. Having trained musically in Liverpool, it is no coincidence that he knows how to make the most of his musical and stage charisma. Its artistic freedom and limitless creativity capture you from the first moment and take you to a place where there is still much to experience.

Friday, August 28

On Friday afternoon, the number of people who came to enjoy the festival multiplied noticeably. Among a vibrant program, performances by FASHION, Ultralight and Repionsharing a poster with names like Doplers, The Molotovs, Aiko the group, Ona Mafalda, Los Domingos, Müsgo, Ortiga, Bita either RuvenRuven. A day, therefore, in which there was no shortage of talent. They showed it from the most emerging bands to the well-established projects.

The members of The Wonderful Orchestra of Alcohol With David Ruíz at the helm, they not only make us dance and sing as if there were no tomorrow, but they also have the ability to turn the live performance into something vital with an immense meaning behind it. Singing about realities such as depopulation in “Campo Amarillo”, they claimed what very few have a voice to tell. Its instrumentation – with a sax and acoustic arrangements that shine with their own light – is a true pleasure for the senses. Together they create one of those musical experiences that, throughout the concert, make you forget the world you live in and fully connect with the origin.

Ultralightfor their part, came out on stage with unprecedented energy. His music, driven by powerful bass lines and rock guitars full of life, took hold of each of the people present, while his lyrics full of sincerity led the audience to shout their emotions without complexes. If the group continues to grow it is because the clarity of their voices combined with the rawness of their guitars and a magnetic staging, leaves no one indifferent.

Although Repion They also jumped onto the stage like a whirlwind based on energetic pop and grunge guitars, demonstrating that the complicity between the sisters Marina and Teresa Iñesta was the driving force behind one of the most solid live shows on the bill. With a raw instrumental that left no room for breath, the group achieved an organic sound that breaks with the standards of the usual commercial structures. His proposal is committed to live tension, building a repertoire that reaffirms his personality and his weight on the state scene.

Zahara

Saturday, August 29

Saturday night surprised with its musical diversity. Among the proposals of Septeto Santiaguero, Late Capital, Casino Montreal, Miniño, Oslo UFOs, Chimo Bayo either Superframe, They especially stood out Belen AguileraQueralt Lahoz, Delacueva, Gins and the iconic Zaharawith its new artistic identity converted into Zahara Rave. All of them gave themselves on stage to sign a festival closing full of catharsis, emotion and collective celebration, putting the final touch to this edition of the Giant Festival.

Belen Aguilera she took the stage with force, establishing herself as a true inspiration and reference for feminine beauty at its finest. Once again he fused his lyrics with electronic rhythms and pop with an avant-garde essence, a commitment that seeks to be a clear musical reference. In any case, the best thing about her live performance is the vocal versatility that she displays at all times and that elevated her to one of the biggest names of the day.

Queralt Lahoz defined its space through that constant contrast of genres that has characterized it at all times, articulating flamenco roots, coplas and boleros on a base of urban sounds and Latin rhythms. There were even moments for a kind of minimalist and somewhat atmospheric bedroom pop that prepared us for the next explosion of their artistic identity. He also sought the involvement of the public, something to which the audience responded with dedication, enjoying a live performance in which the main weight falls on his ability to unite all his musical roots and make them work perfectly.

Delacave They built their live performance from a markedly minimalist instrumental base – drums, electric guitar, acoustic guitar… –, thereby managing to generate a warm atmosphere that reached the audience. Manuel de la Cueva and his band knew how to connect with lyrics that seem designed to be sung immediately. What is evident is that the band is in the process of consolidation and that we will continue to talk a lot about them. To this we can add the special collaborations of TERE! and Sandra Sabater (Geneva), who confirmed their ability to grow in the scene and to capture the interest of both the indie and more general pop audiences.

The Madrid Gins They came out on stage spreading that innate freshness that they have and that only works when it’s real. Their colorful and unapologetic pop rock worked as a real breath of fresh air. And its irony and everyday humor become the best tool to portray the dilemmas and contradictions of an entire generation. Listening to them is entering a safe space of pure catharsis and fun, a live show in which there is no room for the artificial and in which its chantable choruses are transformed into shared and liberating anthems that embrace you and remind you how necessary it is to laugh at yourself surrounded by friends.

Zahara She demonstrated absolute courage by transforming herself into Zahara Rave to approach a new generational audience, evolving her usual sound into a resounding and impactful sound identity. With this electronic side that he has been developing for some time, his staging shook the festival, demonstrating his incredible ability to reinvent himself after years of experience in the industry. On stage she showed herself as an artist without limits or fears, whose deep dedication to music translated into a visceral and at the same time frankly enveloping live performance.

On the newly released stage Sound World Artists that we have mentioned passed by – such as La Niña Paracaídas or TERE! – but also many others such as Köv, Estregenuinas, Musgö. Pussycat or Oslo UFOs. Although we cannot forget names like those of Sandra Bautista, LA126, Toobaldsound, Lola Vila, Kitai and Popi & Sitowho accompanied us from a fourth stage located in the emblematic Plaza Mayor of Guadalajara.