BERUMUGA music cycle

Inspired by blues, soul, jazz, and rock, Berumuga has become a summer classic in the Gipuzkoa town of Bergara. An unmissable event, it maintains its essence while incorporating other musical styles and variations that enrich the cultural program with a series of eclectic offerings that “we don’t have the opportunity to hear the rest of the year.” Now in its 26th edition, this summer series, held in the Espolón park, returns with a generous helping of great music and a lineup featuring bands from various regions. A total of four concerts will take place on Fridays in July, starting at 10:00 PM. Berumuga welcomes bold and diverse acts, proud to have become a benchmark for sounds outside the mainstream commercial circuit.

BERGARA (Gipuzkoa)         Espolón Square  – Berumuga zikloa

Uztailak July 03   22:00    KOKO JEANS & THE TONIC´S

Koko-Jean & The Tonics offers you the best of four musically distinct worlds in a single explosion of soul, rhythm, and groove. The band is comprised of Koko-Jean, an Afro-Catalan vocalist based in Barcelona, ​​in her new venture with The Tonics, a group with which she already shook up the Barcelona soul and rhythm ‘n’ blues scene years ago. The band members are Anton Jarl, Victor Puertas, and Dani Baraldés, three of the most critically acclaimed musicians on the Barcelona scene.

Fronting the band is Miss Koko-Jean Davis (formerly of The Excitements), a true whirlwind on stage. She can move you with a ballad or the raw energy of the blues, and then raise the temperature in seconds with her rock ‘n’ roll and soul.

On drums we have Anton Jarl (Los Mambo Jambo, Rambalaya, Flamingo Tours). The beast we all know, who puts the power into every beat with his elegant yet rock ‘n’ roll style.

Dani “Patillas” Baraldés is the chameleon-like guitarist who makes you vibrate with every howl of his guitar. You’ve probably heard him with Los Mambo Jambo or over the years accompanying such prolific bands as Dani Nel·lo, La Banda del Zoco, Macaco, Jarabe de Palo, or Rulo y La Contrabanda.

And finally, on Hammond organ, we have Victor Puertas, one of the most renowned bluesmen and harmonica players in Catalonia and beyond. His swing and groove are an essential part of this ensemble. You can see him playing blues with bands like Suitcase Brothers, Big Mama Montse, Vermut Time, and many other international artists.

Koko-Jean & The Tonics made their recording debut in February 2020 with the EP Hairwhip, produced by Dani Nel·lo, and in October 2021 they released Shaken & Stirred, a brand-new debut album with generous doses of soul, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll, all wrapped in the musical spirit of New Orleans. In other words: pure Koko-Jean & The Tonics. Their second album, Love Child, modernizes their classic sound, delving into the purest soul music and the social and musical atmosphere of the 70s.

Uztailak July 10    22:00    JACKIE VENSON

Jackie Venson was born in Austin, Texas. She grew up as the youngest of nine children. Her father, Andrew Venson, worked for 40 years as a prominent professional musician before retiring.

Venson studied at Berklee College of Music, where she majored in songwriting and music production. She decided to focus on the guitar. Her piano studies and the music theory she learned at the college helped her adapt to the new instrument.

In April 2014, Venson participated in the Southern Modern Music Contest and won a spot as a headliner on Berklee’s summer tour. She opened for country artists such as Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, and James Taylor.

Hailed as a rising star from a young age and hailed by Forbes as an “Austin legend in the making,” Jackie Venson has established herself as one of the most formidable artists to emerge from Texas. She has shared the stage with icons like Gary Clark Jr. and Melissa Etheridge, and even performed with Alanis Morissette and Lainey Wilson at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. In 2024, Venson was selected to participate in Rolling Stone’s Future of Music event.

She has released five studio albums: Joy, Love Transcends, Evolution of Joy, Ghost in the Machine, and The Love Anthology. Praised by figures as diverse as Vernon Reid and Michael McKean, Venson continues to evolve as an artist, whether with albums focused on Texas blues like Love Transcends, the eclectic electro-funk and rock of Ghost in the Machine, or the captivating soul and R&B of The Love Anthology. She remains passionately committed to exploring diverse sounds and styles.

Their always varied live performances never leave the audience indifferent.

Uztailak July 17    22:00    NF SOUL STATION

The Nación Funk collective presents NF Soul Station, their furious soul band, born from the interaction of musicians from the Catalan soul, funk, jazz, and hip-hop scenes.

Lalo López, composer and guitarist of the legendary Fundación Tony Manero, has reunited his musical family to reclaim the southern soul of labels like Stax Records and Hi Records, as well as the raw sound of Willie Mitchell, Syl Johnson, and O.V. Wright, from the late 1960s when the genre began to be influenced by funk.

The result is a high-energy show, full of intense and emotional moments, performed by a solid band of familiar faces: the Nación Funk All-Stars, featuring Marc Benaiges (drums), Héctor Moras (bass), Guilliam Sons (tenor sax), and Roger Martínez (alto sax). In addition, their live performances feature exceptional collaborators with powerful voices and commanding stage presence, such as Jonathan Herrero (A ContraBlues, Rambalaya). More than just a concert, it’s a declaration of love for an era and a way of understanding music.

Uztailak July 24    22:00    MARÍA CARBONELL & BLUES MODS

Maria Carbonell Blues Mood is an emerging band that has already captivated audiences with its soulful fusion of blues, R&B, and jazz. Led by Maria Carbonell’s expressive vocals, the band delivers dynamic and emotive performances that deeply connect with listeners.
Despite her youth, Maria Carbonell possesses a rich, resonant voice, perfect for singing blues, and she always performs with great taste and a deep understanding of the genre. Joining her are undeniably talented musicians such as David Sam on piano and vocals, Lucas Ibañez on guitar, Fede Fuster on saxophone, Fran Moreno on bass, and Juan Lizaso on drums. Together, they create a rich sonic palette that honors the traditions of the blues while infusing it with a contemporary touch.

Their dedication to the genre was recognized in 2024 when they received the title of “Best Emerging Blues Band” at the 10th Barcelona Blues Society Competition.

Hailing from Valencia, they play a traditional blues that blends influences from Chicago blues, vaudeville blues, and New Orleans rhythms, skillfully mixing these styles to achieve a unique sound that gives them a very special character.

This band is undoubtedly here to energize and breathe new life into the blues scene thanks to the quality, refined performance, respect for the genre, attitude, and knowledge they demonstrate in every song.
Maria Carbonell Blues Mood is a testament to the enduring power of the blues, fusing tradition and innovation to create a timeless and fresh sound. Their performances are a celebration of the genre’s rich legacy and its continued relevance in today’s music scene.

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