Joaquina, a 22-year-old Venezuelan singer-songwriter, is rapidly gaining attention on the Spanish music scene after a series of high-profile festival performances. Her recent appearance at the Festival Cruïlla in Barcelona marked a impressive step, helping her reach new audiences and showcase a shift in her musical direction. She left Venezuela as a child and grew up in Miami, where she began playing piano at seven and writing songs as a teenager. Her early bedroom songwriting led to the EP Los mejores años, released when she was 19; the project won the 2023 Latin Grammy for Best New Artist. Known for introspective lyrics and complex emotions, Joaquina now embraces a more experimental style that reflects her personal growth and changing perspective.
Her latest compositions, developed after the release of Al romper la burbuja, focus on the search for belonging and the nuanced spectrum of human feelings. The album captured the transition from adolescence to early adulthood and received four Latin Grammy nominations in 2025, including Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Pop Album. It also earned songwriting recognition for “aeropuerto” and “no llames lo mio nuestro.” In January 2026, Joaquina expanded the project with Al romper la burbuja 2, an 18-track edition. Her current work continues to explore identity and belonging, with a broader emotional palette that includes happiness tinged with nostalgia. She has described emotions as rarely black or white; her songwriting aims to capture the subtle shades in between.
Festival performances have become a proving ground for Joaquina. At Lollapalooza, she faced an audience largely unfamiliar with her work, many of whom attended for other headliners such as Chappell Roan. Even so, she connected with new fans and showed she could win over diverse crowds. She still values the intimacy of her own tour concerts, where she can create a distinct atmosphere and deepen her connection with the audience.
Collaboration has also shaped her development. Juanes asked Joaquina to write “La versión en mi cabeza” and later invited her to open his September 2026 concert at Miami’s Kaseya Center. Working alongside established artists such as Juanes and Malú on the latest season of La Voz has also been a highlight, giving her a chance to learn from musicians who continue to adapt after decades in the industry. Joaquina describes these experiences as a privilege and a source of inspiration for her own artistic journey.
Recent events in Venezuela have also influenced her outlook. The country, which has experienced several earthquakes in recent weeks, remains a source of inspiration and pride for Joaquina. She admires those rebuilding affected communities and is committed to contributing to recovery efforts in any way she can.
Joaquina’s growing profile extends beyond festival stages. In 2026, she became an ambassador for beauty company e.l.f. through its Mirror Mix music project, contributing “ya no estoy,” a new song created for the collaboration. Her 2026 activity has also included a performance at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Together, these projects add to a trajectory spanning award recognition and songwriting collaborations, alongside concerts and branded music projects.
Her rise comes as Spanish festivals increasingly spotlight emerging talent. Her trajectory echoes the ability to recover seen at other major events, such as when Los Delinqüentes performed a marathon concert despite heavy rain in Catalonia, a moment captured in this report on festival perseverance. As Joaquina continues to evolve, her personal storytelling and willingness to experiment set her apart in contemporary music.
The Spanish festival circuit has become a platform for both established and up-and-coming artists. Events such as Festival Cruïlla and Lollapalooza Barcelona attract international attention and give musicians opportunities to reach broader audiences. More diverse lineups reflect changing tastes and the growing influence of younger performers. In this environment, artists like Joaquina can test new material and build a fanbase, while contributing to Spain’s dynamic cultural field. Her focus on identity and emotional complexity speaks to a generation navigating the transition to adulthood.
