Tag Archives: Poble Espanyol

The muses of La Musa: Corine

Certain music is synonymous with France, from classic chanson to rebellious 60’s yé-yé, from “French Touch” electronic music, to the widescreen musical genius of Serge Gainsbourg. But it is the beautifully debauched world of 1970s French Boogie which Corine is resurrecting with her own brand of “erotic disco”. She looks every inch the authentic 70s diva with her distinctive shock of peroxide blonde hair, judicious use of eye shadow, and an extensive collection of jumpsuits. The name Corine is French prostitute slang for cocaine, and she dedicates her music to “the excess of the disco years, Le Palace, and its dancers who never grow tired”. Le Palace was a legendary Parisian nightclub on whose opening night in 1978 Grace Jones sang ‘La Vie en Rose’ from on top of a pink Harley Davidson, surrounded by shining roses and mountains of dry ice. Today in concert at Poble Espanyol.

Favourite Gig: Future Islands

This Baltimore trio is made up of the deep-voiced Samuel T. Herring, bassist William Cashion and keyboardist and programmer Gerrit Whelmers. Future Islands got their start more than a decade ago, and made it big with their fourth album, ‘Singles’ (2014), which included their international hit ‘Seasons (Waiting on You)’. They’re back with a new effort, ‘The Far Field’ (2017), and more of their electro-pop full of romanticism that combines moments of light with moments of darkness and epic sounds. Tonight at Poble Espanyol.

EL Festival 2018

This is the third edition of this festival originally dedicated to French bands but this time around it welcomes an international headliner in the form of Beth Ditto, former vocalist for Gossip, who presents her debut solo album, ‘Fake Sugar’ (2017). Also on the bill Friday are French rapper Orelsan, with his third album, ‘La fête est finie’ (2017), French band No One Is Innocent with their metal-rap, and a DJ set from The Shoes, an electro-rock group from Reims featuring Guillaume Brière and Benjamin Lebeau. The second day is reserved for French acts only with Kid Francesconi, a danceable pop project from Mathiew Hocine and his partner vocalist Julia; hip hop from Bagarre and Pone; and a DJ session from the legendary Etienne de Crécy, one of the pioneers of French house back in the ’90s, and founder of the group Motorbass.

El Festival 2017

Segona edició d’aquest festival d’un dia dedicat en exclusiva a bandes franceses i que encapçala el pop i la psicodèlia de la banda de París La Femme, que presentaran el seu segon disc, ‘Mystère’ (2016). Completen el festival els directes de Breakbot, que ens farà ballar amb la seva barreja de disco i funk; Naive News Beaters, que hi afegiran tocs electro i hip hop i Wax Tailor, una de les veus més consolidades del hip hop instrumental francès, que presenta el seu últim disc, ‘Any beats necessary’ (2016). Tancarà la festa al Poble Espanyol un DJ set del dúo musical Cassius i la seva mescla de house, hop hop i funk amb tocs pop rock.

Minimúsica 2017

Minimúsica is one of these kids’ activities that parents mark in red on their calendar and start new WhatsApp groups for, to find out who has tickets. This year the music festival for children has moved to Poble Espanyol, which, in addition to being big enough to host the varied programme of events, will on Sunday 2 be transformed into a city built just for kids, where they can run and play in the streets and squares without their parents having to worry about safety or cars coming along.

The music part is of course the foundation of the festival, so kids have access to all kinds of music to decide what they like and form their own opinions as well as enjoying all live music has to offer. The line-up this year features headliners El Petit de Cal Eril, Maïa Vidal, Pau Riba, and Los Ganglios. Other big draws are Candela y Los Supremos, the Big Band from the Escola Concepció school, and Miqui Puig DJ, among many others. The artists perform on stages tailor-made for the little ones as far as the size and volume of the music are concerned.

Minimúsica is a global festival, so you’ll also find plenty of activities related to science, cooking, technology and art. Something new this year is the Experiences Table, in the Poble Espanyol theatre, where families can discover aspects related to their kids’ learning and growing experiences, like dealing with emotions, schooling, body language and nutrition. And speaking of nutrition, you won’t find the typical kids’ menu at the festival; instead grown-ups and children eat the same gastronomic offering with healthy options that help kids discover different foods and flavours.

Babies and toddlers will have their own space with games adapted for kids up to age three, also equipped with an area for adults to relax, feed their offspring and change their nappies. Another new feature is the Market Km 0, where you can see what small local companies dedicated to the world of children have to offer, from clothing to toys and books.

OSO WinterFest

El Monestir de Sant Miquel del Poble Espanyol es vesteix d’hivern per portar-nos aquest festival que s’avança al nadal i que farà pujar el nostre esperit nadalenc pels núvols. Dos dies en els quals podrem passejar entre food trucks amb delicioses propostes gastronòmiques, un mercat enmig d’un bosc amb interessants propostes de dissenyadors locals, sessions de cinema amb la projecció de films com ‘Love actually’, ‘Solo en casa’ o ‘Que bello es vivir’ entre altres i actuacions en directe de PAVVLA, Deco Pilot, Josh Parker, Gigi McFarlane o Enric Verdaguer.