Fuerteventura En Música: A Family Festival at La Playa de la Concha

La Playa de la Concha in El Cotillo is gearing up for an exciting weekend as it prepares to host the 18th edition of the Fuerteventura en Música festival on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1. This much-anticipated event promises a vibrant array of musical and recreational activities suitable for the whole family.

Preparations Underway

Earlier today, Lola García, the president of the Fuerteventura Cabildo, visited the festival site to oversee final preparations. She was joined by cultural advisor Rayco León, La Oliva’s mayor Isaí Blanco, and several local councilors, as well as artists such as Ara Queen of Drums, Saylén, Alejandro Frey from Abora Reggae, 5 Nclave, The Plunger Dixie Band, and El Rincón de Tetir.

During a press conference, García shared her enthusiasm: “In just over a day, we’ll start a musical spectacle in the unrivaled setting of La Concha beach. Not only will we enjoy wonderful music from international and national artists, but we’ll also highlight local talent. We’re proud that the island’s musicians will participate in ‘FEM de Día.'”

Eco-Conscious Celebrations

García emphasized the importance of environmental responsibility during the festival. “We ask for everyone’s cooperation in keeping the beach and the village clean,” she urged. Both cultural advisor León and mayor Blanco echoed this sentiment, praising the collaboration with environmental organizations like Ocean Clean Project and Limpiaventura, who are focused on minimizing the festival’s ecological footprint.

León remarked, “This will be a festival reflecting the harmony between enjoyment and environmental conservation, and we’re glad to see local associations involved in ensuring our surroundings remain pristine.”

A Community Affair

The festival is not just a musical extravaganza; it’s also a community event that contributes positively to local businesses. Mayor Blanco expressed his honor in hosting the festival, hopeful that its growing popularity will benefit the local economy year after year. Luzma Hierro, president of the Cotillo Joven collective, also recognized the festival’s impact on showcasing local identity and forging connections with other cultures.

Artist Ara Queen of Drums shared her excitement as it marks her first performance in Spain after 25 years in the music industry, influencing a genre traditionally dominated by men. Alejandro Frey from Abora Reggae highlighted the importance of platforms like FEM that enable local artists to thrive.

Family Fun at ‘FEM de Día’

Kicking off on Friday, June 30, at 6 PM, ‘FEM de Día’ is designed for families, beginning with a parade led by The Plunger Dixie Band, making its way from the town plaza to La Concha beach.

The following day, Saturday, promises a lineup of diverse activities, including a traditional dance workshop from the folk group El Rincón at noon, an African percussion workshop at 2 PM (where participants are encouraged to bring their own instruments), and an African dance session at 4 PM, led by brothers Thioune from Africa.

Additionally, younger attendees can enjoy a creative workshop focusing on recycling plastic, run by the Clean Ocean Project at the local quay. Throughout the day, several musical acts will grace the stage, such as 5 Nclave at 2 PM and DJ Sudakita at 3 PM, leading up to DJ J.E.R.I and Hey Chabón as the day progresses.

Music Under the Stars

As the sun sets on Friday, the festival transforms into a musical haven. Starting at 8 PM, locals Althay Páez and his timple will set the stage, followed by an electrifying performance from Ara Queen of Drums at 9:20 PM. The Instituto Mexicano del Sonido will bring unique cumbia electronic sounds to the scene at 10:30 PM, while headliner Bomba Estéreo takes the spotlight at 12:20 AM, delivering an explosive blend of music styles.

The evening continues with Tabaiba, a canary-venezuelan group, who’ll entertain the crowd with urban sounds at 2:20 AM, promising an unforgettable atmosphere.

An Eclectic Second Night

The festivities resume on Saturday, July 1, beginning with local artists Saylén and Abora Reggae at 8 PM and 8:45 PM, respectively. Following them, Ruth Mahogany & The ARB Music Band will grace the stage at 10:05 PM, while Canijo de Jerez infuses the festival with flamenco and rock at 11:35 PM.

El festival’s other headliner, La Pegatina, brings their infectious sounds of merengue and ska to the crowd at 1:15 AM, while Mel Ömana wraps up the festival with Cuban folk and Latin rap.

Festivalgoers can keep the energy alive until the early hours of the morning, dancing along to sessions from DJs Paradise and Enma Play, creating a lively and memorable festival experience.

As the festival unfolds on the stunning shores of La Playa de la Concha, it promises to be a rich tapestry of music, culture, and community spirit that appeals to all generations. Don’t miss it!