Sant Feliu: music, humour and other arts

Joan Baez, Patti Smith with her band, Salif Keita in a double billing with The Wailers – directed by Aston Family Man Barrett, Bob Marley’s bassist for practically all of his career – New Order, The Human League... Just some of the great names of contemporary pop that will be performing at the 57th Festival de la Porta Ferrada in Sant Feliu de Guíxols this summer, the dean of Catalan festivals, revitalised in recent years due to the arrival of Barcelona promoter, The Project. The Festival, co-directed by Iñaki Martí and Albert Mallol, offers a broad selection between July 13 – when Manolo García and his band will appear in acoustic format – and August 20 – when Pedro Burruezo, another Barcelona musician with a large back catalogue, will bring things to a close with Eduardo Paniagua Wafir S. Gibril.

Before that, however, La Porta Ferrada festival will be preceded by its sister event, El Singlot, the great summer comedy festival organised by Andreu Buenafuente and his producer, El Terrat, which will take place from July 4 to 7 and pay homage to comedian Pepe Rubianes , who will receive the first posthumous Singlot of honor award. David Broncano, Quico Cadaval, Quim Masferrer, Brays Efe and Berto Romero, as well as Buenafuente himself, will be some of the comic stars appearing at El Singlot.

Returning to La Porta Ferrada, other international attractions include American jazz singer Melody Gardot and one of Queen’s best tribute bands, the Argentines God Save the Queen, as well as Malandain Ballet Biarritz. From closer to home we have Luz Casal, Marea, Rosario, Melendi, Tomatito & José Mercé with Las Migas, and Amaia with Los Hermanos Cubero. And even closer, Els Pets share an evening with Ramon Aragall and Joan Dausà and the local band Bipolar.