Alhambra Monkey Week is here: the celebration events begin today in Seville, and the bulk of the festival will be from Thursday to Saturday. As always, there are established artists of the size of Triángulo de Amor Bizarro, but also a good assortment of new or more unknown artists who will honor the motto of this Fair: “discover the music of the future today.” At Alhambra Monkey Week, artists we have told you about on many occasions will perform, such as Ciutat, Júlia Colom, Kora, airu or Espineli, whom we selected among the Best Albums of 2023; and also these other 10 artists that we are talking about today. You can buy tickets on the Monkey Week website.
Angeles Toledo
Toledano, who last year visited Alhambra Monkey Week with his project Ángeles, Víctor, Gloria y Javier, this year returns with a bang to present one of the albums that is being talked about the most these days in the music industry. This is ‘SANGRE SUCIA’, which we recently selected as Song of the Day ‘MOMÁ, TERÍAS RAZÓN’, with its wonderful video clip about feminism and empowerment. About a witch hunt with a happy ending.
Mon Dvy
Mon Day (“Monday”) is the nickname of Martín Muñoz. The young musician, who has worked with people like Alba Reche, Samuraï or Carolina Durante, among many others, has a solo project. His album this year, ‘Mal nombre’, presents pieces that swarm between soul and indie, such as ‘Dejarloclara’; even indietronica, like ‘Like thousands in Paris’; or even a cross between hip hop and jazz, like ‘The smell of lightning’.
April Marmara
Among the artists from other countries that are worth highlighting, we must talk about April Marmara, that is, Beatriz Diniz, from Lisbon. He has two albums under his belt, often traveling into acoustic territories or filled with string and wind instruments. This was the case of ‘Finding My Ways’, a song he published this year.
Guedra Guedra
One of those projects that you may not listen to as much at home as you enjoy live is that of Guedra Guedra. The inspiration of this DJ and producer is the traditional polyrhythms of Morocco, which produces an explosion of color in songs destined for the dance floor. Especially since his album released in 2021, ‘Vexillology’, he has appeared featured in one way or another on Bandcamp, Resident Advisor, The Guardian or Pitchfork. We leave you with his live show for Boiler Room.
the devil of shanghai
Others who can offer one of the most fun concerts at Alhambra Monkey Week are the Shanghai Devil. In principle they were inspired by groups like Shame, Fontaines DC, Black Midi or Idles, but the humor in them is much more important than in their Anglo-Saxon references. All you have to do is pay attention to the customs of his album ‘113 steps forward in the expansion’, where his little hit ‘Patti Smith’ and also a song called ‘Tabaco’ resided. Both certify that vocal harmonies, quite 60’s, are another of their keys in the search for an identity.
Saint Tosielo
Regular in our playlists, the Canary Islanders San Tosielo move between indie, surfer and balladesque records, interchangeably. Pavlo and Blurred Mirror, based in Madrid, have just released an EP called ‘Vanpiro Esiten’, which has featured singles like ‘Siempre más’ -which derives from bossa nova- or ‘Fake Glasses’. This year they also collaborated with superstar Cruz Cafuné and the underground group Toldos Verdes, proof that anything could happen to their career.
Roy Borland
One of the artists with the most experience on this list is Roy Borland, as he already has several projects uploaded to streaming platforms. We are looking at a musician who studied 8 years at the Conservatory and in 2021 opted for Spanish after starting out in English. Among his influences he cites both Radiohead and Pablo Milanés, something that you can perceive in his album this year, ‘Fotographies of Spain’. It closes with a heart-stopping song, ‘The First Real Kiss’. By the way, he has also worked with people as diverse as El Kanka, Teo Lucadamo, Bejo, Teo Planell, Belén Aguilera, Tristán!, Nusar3000 or Barry B.
Delilah
Among the local artists, the case of Dalila stands out, a Sevillian who is inspired by the electronic music of the early 90s in the United Kingdom. Especially around the rave. ‘Cieguita’ is currently their emblematic song, as well as absorbing in its fantastic settings, revisited in several remixes, one by Gazzi, also present at Monkey Week.
Jordi Ganchitos
“Video with 0 views,” could be read in the YouTube description of ‘Bald with Beard’. Well, this lo-fi reggaeton, closer to the humorous philosophy of Ladilla Rusa or Ojete Calor, has already had 150,000 views, and the same number on Spotify. Experienced in the urban DIY world, he has also participated in songs such as ‘Hippies Acosadores’ with Mi Amargo, and has recently released the single ‘Chancla tanga’.
Julia of Arc
How is it possible for Monkey Week to recommend an artist with 0 songs uploaded to streaming platforms with a total of 0 monthly listeners? Tali Carreto, co-director of the festival, explained to us in the relevant podcast that they have known Julia de Arco since the Sevillian shared her first models when she was just over 10 years old, and that her songs had been erased from the face of the earth by now. relaunch your professional career. Today his song ‘SWAGGERBOYZZZ’ is uploaded, dark electronica with street bases and a very “first MIA” flow, a preview of what is to come. In a much more melodic aspect, you can also hear it on the Carlangas album.
