La Mercè 2026 commits to diversity with 109 concerts

The Música Mercè series, directed by Gisela Sais, will bring together 34 performances at emblematic venues such as Avinguda de la Catedral. Sabor de Gràcia’s rumba, María Terremoto’s flamenco, Aterciopelados’ Latin American rock, Arp Frique’s psychedelia, Maika Makovski’s voice and the collective show La Barcelona Flamenca, promoted by Luis Troquel and Chicuelo, will all come together there.

The Teatre Grec will be one of the reference points for singer-songwriter music. Nacho Vegas and Luísa Sobral will present their new work, while Pol Batlle will offer a concert created especially for the occasion. Artists such as Def Mama Def, La Pegatina, Sexenni, Svetlana, La Paloma, Marc Vilajuana, Sorvina, Fuensanta and Maria Jaume will also appear at the various venues.

This year’s guest city will be Shanghai, which will bring part of its contemporary music scene to Barcelona with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Jazz Ensemble, the Shanghai Restoration Project and the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra. The collaboration will reinforce the international character of an edition that seeks to build bridges between cultures through music.

BAM, curated by Marta Mei and Aina Pociello, will add 39 concerts devoted to the most innovative proposals. The bill will include names such as Uzi Freyja, Sandra Monfort, Brama, Sandré, The Slates, Islandman, Imarhan, I Am Roze, La Valentina, Daoud, Gala i Ovidio and Minibús Intergalàctic, among others.

The programme will also include five shows created expressly for La Mercè. These include La Barcelona Flamenca; the musical meeting between Ana Rossi and Joana Queiroz; Vozes’ concert with Marco Mezquida in Nou Barris; Carola Ortiz’s proposal in Plaça Sant Jaume; and Marco de Ana’s flamenco performance Poder de protesta.

BAM – Acció Cultura Viva will celebrate its tenth edition while maintaining its commitment to emerging projects and collective creation. The public will be able to discover performances by Peperina, Grup de Ties, Lecocq, María Cielos, Jester and Revolución Guapachosa, as well as the closing show La llorería, which will mix boleros, rancheras, cumbias and merengues in a participatory concert.

For five days, squares, parks, theatres and open spaces throughout Barcelona will change rhythm with performances. La Mercè will once again show that its music programme is one of the major driving forces of the city festival and an opportunity to discover established artists and new voices without leaving the city.