Canarias People Fest Makes a Stunning Debut
The first edition of the Canarias People Fest kicked off on Friday, August 1, at the annex of the Gran Canaria Stadium and continues on Saturday in the parking lot of Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s Palmetum. This brand-new festival, the only one held consecutively on both capital islands, opened with performances by Manuel Carrasco, Rigoberta Bandini, God Save the Queen, Acantha Lang, and Los Niños Jesús. According to organizers, around 5,000 people gathered in Siete Palmas for the opening night.
Electrifying Performances Light Up Gran Canaria
Grammy-nominated American singer Acantha Lang took the stage at 4:00 PM, warming up the crowd with soulful tracks from her album Beautiful Dreams, bringing a taste of New Orleans to the island. Forty minutes later, Los Niños Jesús—fronted by journalist and singer Jordi Évole—delivered energetic covers of hits like Amaral’s “Marta, Sebas, Guille y los demás” and Estopa’s “Tu Calorro.”
Rigoberta Bandini’s Unforgettable Show
Rigoberta Bandini stole the spotlight with a bold, 60-minute set that resonated deeply with the audience. Performing tracks from her album La Emperatriz (2022), she playfully confessed, “I didn’t know Gran Canaria had so many perras (a cheeky nod to her song about wanting to be a carefree dog).” Her performance of “Ay mamá” turned into a heartfelt tribute to mothers, sparking impromptu video calls from attendees to their own. The set closed with a powerful rendition of “El Amor,” leaving the crowd chanting for more.
Manuel Carrasco Closes Night One in Style
Despite a 20-minute delay, Manuel Carrasco captivated the audience from the first note, even as rain threatened. His Pueblo Salvaje tour showcased his latest album, blending primal nature-inspired visuals with raw emotion. A triangular pintadera (a traditional Canarian symbol) around his neck glowed under the spotlights—a subtle homage to the islands. Hits like “Salitre” and “Que bonito es querer” had the crowd singing along, while Carrasco praised Las Palmas for feeling “like home.”
Setlist Highlights
Carrasco’s performance included fan favorites like:
- Pueblo Salvaje
- Corazón y flecha
- Salitre
- Amor planetario
- Que bonito es querer
The festival continues in Tenerife, promising another night of unforgettable music.
