In Sant Feliu de Guíxols, a sudden downpour threatened the Porta Ferrada festival, but Los Delinqüentes refused to let the weather dictate the night. The summer festival, associated with the town’s historic Porta Ferrada landmark, brings live music and other cultural events to the Costa Brava. Despite persistent rain at the scheduled start, organisers pressed on. The band from Jerez de la Frontera took the stage for a marathon performance that lasted close to three hours. Around 4,000 people attended, undeterred by the conditions, and turned the evening into a celebration spanning generations.
The night opened with Joan Garriga i el Mariatxi Galàctic, whose energetic blend of Caribbean rhythms and rumba also drew on reggae and rock. Garriga’s set featured tracks such as 'El rock&roll és mort' and 'Perquè', bridging musical styles and generations before closing with the crowd favourite 'Sonajeros'. He calls his approach 'patxanga jonda': a musical fusion that rejects rigid boundaries and reflects the diversity of Catalan street culture.
After a swift stage change, Los Delinqüentes brought their signature blend of flamenco and rock, with humour throughout. The group kept the audience engaged with anecdotes and spontaneous remarks. At one point, Er Canijo de Jeré joked that the concert was spiralling out of control, referenced Gibraltar and introduced the band’s version of the Spanish anthem, 'No llevamos ná', a rumba nodding to Cádiz’s chirigota tradition. The setlist paid tribute to late founding member Er Migue, whose presence came through in video and audio during songs including 'Madriguera' and 'Chinchetas en el aire'.
Muchachito Bombo Infierno joined the band for 'El pirata del Estrecho', and the group also performed 'El muerto vivo', a classic popularised by Peret. Their playful spirit showed in onstage antics, from parading as 'desgarramantas' to the surreal sight of a grandfather figure with an oversized prop. The nine members rotated through guitars and percussion, adding handclaps and sustaining a lively, self-deprecating atmosphere throughout.
The festival’s organisation, now under Barcelona Events Musical, the team behind Cruïlla, showed in the event’s local flavour and smooth execution. Familiar symbols from other Catalan festivals, including straw hats and the Venus hairdryer statue, reinforced a sense of continuity in the region’s cultural calendar. Efforts to strengthen Catalonia’s event sector are also reflected in the recent partnership between Indra and Bold to boost the local tech industry.
Los Delinqüentes’ return to the stage this year marks the 25th anniversary of their acclaimed album 'El sentimiento garrapatero que nos traen las flores'. Their enduring popularity in Catalonia, alongside artists such as Kiko Veneno and Pata Negra, shows the cross-regional appeal of Andalusian music. The concert went ahead despite the weather, a striking moment for Spain’s summer festival scene and the unifying power of live music. Porta Ferrada remains part of Sant Feliu de Guíxols’ summer cultural calendar, where local tradition meets contemporary performance.
