Barcelona has always been known for its vibrant cultural scene, and La Mercè 2025 promises to be no exception. From September 23-28, the city will become one giant stage for 106 free concerts. This event, courtesy of Música Mercè and BAM – Barcelona Acció Musical, will showcase an impressive array of local and international talent. Let’s delve into what this festival has in store for attendees.
A diverse and committed musical program
The 2025 edition of La Mercè stands out not only for its incredible lineup of over one hundred artists, but also for its commitment to diversity. More than twenty countries will be represented, ranging from well-known names to new talents looking to make their mark on the music scene. This year, Manchester is presented as the guest city, bringing the best of its music scene.
Emma Vilarasau, pregonera of the Mercè 2025: a celebration that promises to surprise
The festival’s program is spread across 14 iconic venues in the city. Places like the Teatre Grec, the Rambla del Raval and the Plaça de Sant Jaume will be packed with music lovers ready to enjoy the varied program. In addition, venues such as the Antigua Fábrica Estrella Damm and Fabra i Coats are key points to get to know emerging proposals.
International collaborations that shine
One of the most anticipated moments of this edition is the performance of Queralt Lahoz with Werkha, a collaboration resulting from an artistic residency at Fabra i Coats. This type of initiative underscores the festival’s commitment to creating international links that nurture local scenes.
With the strong presence of artists from Manchester, Mercè 2025 promises to be a melting pot of styles and cultures. In this sense, the participation of bands such as Children of Zeus and Space Afrika takes the quality of the performances to another level.
Focus on female talent
While diversity is a key element, the programming also stands out for its focus on local female talent. Voices such as Maria Arnal, Rigoberta Bandini and Mushka take to some of the most emblematic stages, reaffirming the leadership of women in contemporary Catalan music.
This year, Gisela Sais, the artistic director, has placed special emphasis on this female programming, creating a proposal rich in styles that cross pop, urban music and cultural roots.
Family events and innovative performances
In addition to concerts, La Mercè also offers a space for sustainable gastronomy at Terra i Gust. There, exquisite dishes shared the limelight with concerts covering a wide range of genres. For example, on Friday 26, Son de Madera opens the performances, followed the next day by a collaboration between Juan Andrés Ospina and La Orquesta Efímera. Kokoshca and Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet close the event in a weekend full of music and flavor.
The BAM, which this year closes the five-year cycle under the artistic direction of the cooperative L’Afluent, offers more than forty proposals that review musical traditions from a contemporary perspective. Venues such as the Antigua Fábrica Estrella Damm will serve as a platform for up-and-coming artists such as Ultralone and Ven’nus.
Innovation in format and style
One of the most exciting new features of the festival is the exchange of stages between Música Mercè and BAM on Tuesday 23rd. This concept seeks to encourage dialogue and collaboration between different musical proposals, thus expanding the cultural offerings of the event. At Teatre Grec, performances by Tarta Relena and Space Afrika are presented, while Plaça de Catalunya welcomes the amazing Ladilla Rusa and Pussy Riot.
Finally, the BAM – Acció Cultura Viva project in Sant Andreu, with twelve proposals selected from an open call, reinforces its commitment to local creation and social transformation. Projects such as Vozes and the Xamfrà center reflect this dedication to change and inclusion.
In short, La Mercè 2025 promises to be a true celebration of music, culture and community. With its unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion and quality, this edition will surely remain etched in the memory of all attendees.
Summary of the musical program of La Mercè 2025 in Barcelona
Barcelona will celebrate La Mercè 2025 with an extensive free musical program that will take place from September 23 to 28. The city will host 106 concerts organized by Música Mercè and BAM – Barcelona Acció Musical, with the participation of more than 100 artists from over 20 countries and different regions of Spain. The proposal is committed to diversity in styles, genres, origins and generations, combining big international names with emerging talents.
The concerts will be distributed in 14 urban spaces, with 16 free access stages. Some of the highlights are the Teatre Grec, Avinguda de la Catedral, Rambla del Raval, Doctor Pla and Armengol gardens, Plaça de Sant Jaume, Moll de la Madera, Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, Plaça de Catalunya, the Old Estrella Damm Factory, Fabra i Coats and Can Fabra.
Manchester will be the guest city in this edition and will bring names like Children of Zeus, Porij, Honeyfeet, Space Afrika or the collaboration of the ESMUC Band with the Royal Northern College of Music Band. One of the key moments will be the international co-production between the Catalan Queralt Lahoz and the British Werkha, born from a residency at Fabra i Coats, which will be presented at the Cathedral Avenue.
The festival also highlights local female talent, with figures such as Maria Arnal, Tarta Relena, Rigoberta Bandini, Mushka, Lia Kali and Queralt Lahoz, many of them present on the Mediterráneamente stage, located on the Bogatell beach.
Música Mercè presents this year its most feminine program, directed by Gisela Sais, including own proposals such as Al corazón by Marta Valdés at the Teatre Grec, with Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Mayte Martín, Martirio and Raúl Rodríguez. Other highlights will be the tribute to El Pescadilla and the Catalan rumba at the Cathedral, the contemporary habaneras at Sant Jaume square and Hirameki by Juan Andrés Ospina with the Orquesta Efímera at Passeig dels Til-lers.
For its part, the BAM closes a five-year period under the artistic direction of the cooperative L’Afluent, presenting some 40 musical proposals that reimagine traditions from a contemporary point of view. Among the most anticipated performances are Lido Pimienta, Villano Antillano, Kiddy Smile, Anna Andreu with Mar Pujol and Ferran Palau, and new talents such as Ven’nus, Ultralone and Ani in the Hall at the Antigua Fábrica Estrella Damm.
One of the main novelties will be the exchange of stages on Tuesday, September 23: Tarta Relena and Space Afrika will perform at the Teatre Grec, while Ladilla Rusa and Pussy Riot will perform at the Plaça de Catalunya, thus promoting the connection between both programs.
In the neighborhood of Sant Andreu, BAM – Acció Cultura Viva proposes 12 performances selected from more than 600 applications, in a community event that will be concentrated in two days. Support for local creation and social projects such as Vozes and the Xamfrà center is maintained.
In addition, the Terra i Gust gastronomic space at the Passeig dels Til-lers in Ciutadella Park will combine music and sustainable cuisine. The concerts in this space will be:
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Friday 26: Son de Madera
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Saturday 27: Juan Andrés Ospina + La Orquesta Efímera (noon) and Kokoshca (night)
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Sunday 28: Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet (morning) & Sehar Gul Khan (afternoon)
