Manchester is the invited city for the Mercè 2025 celebration by the Barcelona City Council. The event will feature 106 free concerts and a diverse program with performances by local and international artists from over 20 countries. The concerts, organized by Música Mercè and BAM – Barcelona Acció Musical, will take place from September 23 to 28.
The program will include 16 stages spread across 14 open-access spaces, such as the Cathedral avenue, Moll de la Fusta, Plaça Catalunya, and Bogatell Beach, among others. This edition will also showcase artists from Manchester, including Children of Zeus, Porij, and Honeyfeet. Additionally, the event will debut the first international co-production with Catalan singer Queralt Lahoz and producer Werkha.
Local female talent will be highlighted at the festival, with performances by Maria Arnal, Rigoberta Bandini, Tarta Relena, Mushka, and Lia Kali in iconic city venues. Música Mercè will present its own productions, such as the show ‘Al corazón de Marta Valdés’ at Teatre Grec, and a night of contemporary habaneras at Plaça Sant Jaume. The program will also pay tribute to El Pescadilla and Catalan rumba at the Cathedral.
The BAM segment will close the artistic direction cycle of the ‘L’Afluent’ cooperative with around forty proposals that explore musical traditions and feature performances by artists like Lido Pimienta, Villano Antillano, and Ferran Palau.
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