Mojo Music Festival 2025: A Sonic Feast by the Sea
Amid fierce competition (a boon for audiences, given the summer’s packed music calendar), Gran Canaria welcomes back a festival that stands out for true music lovers—those who crave more than the usual lineup, no matter how stellar. The Mojo Music Festival (MMF) returns on August 22–23, 2025, at the Plaza de la Música, just steps from Las Canteras beach. Mark those dates: for an insatiable concertgoer like me, this edition is worth queuing up a day early.
An Eclectic Lineup Worth Discovering
Some names on the bill might be unfamiliar at first glance—which is exactly why I dove into YouTube and Spotify to explore the artists. From Mexico City’s genre-blending Instituto Mexicano del Sonido to the gritty blues of Spain’s Guadalupe Plata and the haunting melodies of Argentine-French artist Natalia Doco, the discoveries were electrifying. If this festival were a film, it’d be the kind you’d savor at Sundance or Tribeca; if it were TV, think of it as the avant-garde cousin of mainstream channels. One thing’s certain: MMF 2025 delivers originality and sounds that demand attention.
A Celebration of Tradition and Innovation
Artistic director Mario Alonso describes the lineup as “a bold mix of genres,” blending established and emerging talent. Headliner Instituto Mexicano del Sonido, led by Camilo Lara, fuses electronic beats with Mexican folk traditions, while acts like Dengue Dengue and Natalia Doco reimagine roots music with modern production. Diego Hernández, a respected music journalist in the Canaries, notes the festival’s “romantic” ties to the Plaza de la Música’s legacy—a venue where his own DJ collective played the last song before its closure. “This lineup,” he says, “captures the spirit of 21st-century soundtracks.”
Local Flavors and Unmissable Nights
Canarian talent shines too, with Gran Canaria’s Silde (singer Silvia de Felipe) and Lanzarote’s Ya no te quiero sharing the stage. Between sets, local DJs—Fuckin Four Factory, Baked Belda, and Yeray Pacheco—will keep the energy high. As Martín Alonso put it during the festival’s launch, audiences can expect “a sonic party” where rising stars and seasoned artists collide, all united by a love for boundary-pushing music. Don’t miss the free pre-festival bash on Thursday near the Alfredo Kraus auditorium—perfect for toasting with fellow music fans.
