Panamanian Rubén Blades has begun his Spanish tour in Seville, at the Icónica Santalucía Sevilla Fest, with a concert that gathered thousands of people in Plaza de España, waving flags from around the world.
Plaza de España in Seville transformed into a melting pot of cultures tonight thanks to the start of Rubén Blades' Spanish tour. The 78-year-old Panamanian artist delivered a concert lasting over two hours at the Icónica Santalucía Sevilla Fest, where he revisited his greatest hits before an audience waving flags from numerous countries.
Before the main performance, Mexican Silvana Estrada served as the opening act, delivering an intimate and emotional recital that captivated the attendees. Songs like 'Clandestina' and 'Te guardo' set a high bar for the arrival of the main artist.
A Repertoire Spanning Decades
Blades began his performance with 'Plástico', a classic from 1978 that he composed with Willie Colón, who passed away last February. The Panamanian wanted to pay tribute to his musical partner and recalled the significance of that collaboration, which marked a turning point in salsa.
Wearing sunglasses, a black jacket, and a matching hat, the artist gradually unveiled songs like 'Decisiones', 'Amor y control', and 'Ligia Elena', which were sung along by an audience of all ages. Interestingly, the younger crowd filled the front row, demonstrating that Blades' music remains relevant.
The concert also had a reivindicative component. Blades dedicated 'País portátil' to the current state of the world, reminding everyone that the song, written in 2001, remains sadly relevant. “A portable country is sold, punishing the honest,” he sang, provoking reflection among the attendees.
A Tribute to Emigrants
One of the most emotional moments of the night came with 'Ilegales', a song Blades dedicated to those who emigrate out of necessity. The artist recalled that he himself had to leave Panama in 1974 due to family issues with the dictatorship and wanted to show his solidarity with all those seeking a better future away from home.
The Seville audience, who filled Plaza de España, responded with enthusiasm. Many were following the semi-final of the Women's World Cup between Argentina and England on their phones, but once Argentina secured their place in the final, the phones returned to pockets and attention was fully focused on the stage.
The Grand Finale with 'Pedro Navaja'
The concert reached its climax with 'Pedro Navaja', Blades' most iconic song, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2028. The song, part of the album 'Siembra', the best-selling salsa album in history, was sung along by thousands of voices that made the plaza vibrate.
After the success in Seville, Blades will continue his tour across Spain with stops at the Vitoria Jazz Festival, the Pirineos Sur Festival in Lanuza, the Far València Festival, the Barts Barcelona Festival, La Mar de Músicas in Cartagena, and Noches del Botánico in Madrid. On August 11, the artist will cross the Atlantic to perform at the Auditorio Sodre in Montevideo.
For the Sevillians who missed it, the concert was a unique opportunity to see a living legend of music in an incomparable setting. The organisation of the Icónica Sevilla Fest has confirmed that the event was a public success and they hope to repeat with artists of similar calibre in future editions.
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