This July, Cruïlla Festival returns to Barcelona for its 9th edition, and it is sure to be better than ever. Cruïlla prides itself on its variety; with its Catalan meaning of ‘crossroads’, the festival has an eclectic line-up, mixing different styles of music without prejudice. The people over at Cruïlla try to convey that this festival is more than just a crossroads though; it is a meeting point for musical styles.
Diversity is the word of the weekend for the organisers of Cruïlla as they have curated a line-up, with the help of the public one must add, which combines different elements of ska, pop, hip-hop, reggae, folk, flamenco and indie rock.
Performers across the weekend will take to one of five stages spread across Barcelona’s famous Parc del Fòrum, which will also be full of activities, circus, games, workshops and stalls from organisations with social projects, which give Cruïlla Festival a true community feel and proves that it is much more than music.
However, music is of course the main attraction, and this year Cruïlla festival boasts a superb line-up, with headline performances from Damien Rice and Robert Plant on Friday and Saturday respectively.
Damien Rice is an Irish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who, having had a complicated start to his music career, built his reputation amongst all sensitive and melancholic music lovers with the release of his debut album, O, in 2003, which received high praise from audiences and critics alike. His second album, 9, positioned him as one of the most important contemporary songwriters, and eight years later, in 2014 he released My Faded Favourite Fantasy, an ambitious work full of orchestral arrangements. This summer, all of us will become reacquainted with Damien Rice by the sea, in a show filled with life and surging emotions.
A legend in his own right and the voice of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant returns to Barcelona for the first time in 26 years. When Led Zeppelin left the stage in the early eighties after the death of the irreplaceable drummer John Bonham, Robert Plant could have retired secure in the knowledge that he had already earned a special place in rock history. He was the talent that put lyrics and voice to a number of immortal songs such as Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love and Immigrant Song. However, far from putting a stop to his work, the dissolution of the group signalled a new beginning for this British musician.
Over the years, Robert Plant has continued to explore the fertile tradition of rock, blues, folk and country, always adding the unmistakable touch of his vocal cords and always surrounding himself with the best musical talents: Marc Ribot, T Bone Burnett, Alison Krauss (his collaborator on the memorable album Raising Sand) … His latest adventure has led him to collaborate with the Sensational Space Shifters, a powerful instrumental ensemble and together they have cooked up a unique sound incorporating traditional African instruments and electronic textures. They will present the album Lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar for the first time to the Spanish audience.
These two sensational headline acts will be supported by many great artists across the weekend, including English electronic/folk band Crystal Fighters, the American blues rock band Alabama Shakes, and English drum and bass band Rudimental. From Germany, electronic rock band Digitalism will be presenting their fantastic new album, Mirage; whilst arguably the most unpredictable singer of the United States, Cat Power, will also make an appearance over the weekend.
The combination of the incredibly eclectic line-up and the community atmosphere which is always present make Cruïlla Festival a must for all music lovers this July.
