The Cabildo of Lanzarote has presented this Tuesday morning the nineteenth edition of the Visual Music Festival of Lanzarote, an international event that will take place in several of the emblematic places of the island from October 9 to 19, persevering in the search for symbiosis between culture and landscape.
The presentation of the contest, held in El Almacén, was attended by the Minister of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Migdalia Machín; the Minister of Culture of the Island Council, Jesús Machín Tavío; and the director and creator of the Festival, Ildefonso Aguilar.
Migdalia Machín expressed her conviction that "this festival is proof of how avant-garde music and the volcanic landscape of Lanzarote intertwine to create an unparalleled sensory experience. Spaces such as Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes are transformed into unique stages, where each concert establishes an intimate dialogue between nature and art; an experience that deserves to be lived and shared. I would especially like to thank the Department of Culture of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, led by Jesús Machín, and the team that has worked with dedication to offer a program worthy of the best festivals in the world. And I cannot fail to recognize the work of Ildefonso Aguilar, an artistic reference. His deep respect and knowledge of the island allow him to direct this festival with solvency, taking care of every detail and enhancing Lanzarote as a stage".
Likewise, the island's Minister of Culture, Jesús Machín Tavío, expressed his satisfaction for the "effort and commitment" shown by the staff involved in the organization of the event. "It is a pride for the Department of Culture to carry out a festival that encompasses so many important places on the island, emphasizing the symbiosis between nature and contemporary art that has characterized the event since its inception." Machín also thanked the CACT and the Government of the Canary Islands for their collaboration, "whose participation reinforces the importance of the festival and its positive impact on a non-capital island like Lanzarote."
For his part, the director of the Festival, Ildefonso Aguilar, in addition to detailing the program of the Festival, also thanked the commitment of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, the Government of the Canary Islands and the Tourist Centers to enable the celebration of this nineteenth edition that will feature an important cast of artists, including Mario Batkovic, Björn Meyer or Anouar Brahem Quartet. The concerts will take place in some of the iconic places of Lanzarote, such as the Cueva de los Verdes, the Jameos del Agua Auditorium or the Buñuel Hall of El Almacén.
The volcanic environment of Lanzarote is once again offered as an ideal setting to recreate the sounds of avant-garde musicians, with a focus on exploring new musical forms fused with nature.
Detailed program
The chosen program seeks to offer a unique experience where music, landscape and art come together, creating an aesthetic that reflects the essence of the Visual Music Festival. The concerts of this 19th edition will begin on Thursday, October 10 in the Buñuel Hall of the CIC El Almacén, with the premiere of the innovative Touch•Me•Not project, the latest proposal by Hara Alonso, known for her fusion of electronic and visual sounds. It will offer an immersive experience that explores the interaction between music and digital art. Accompanied by the visuals of Miguel G. Morales and the voice of Ellen Soderhult, this proposal will blur the boundaries between different forms of artistic expression, creating a unique sensory environment.
On Saturday, October 12, Mario Batkovic will perform at the Cueva de los Verdes Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. Batkovic, with his innovative approach to the accordion, will offer a solo performance that challenges the conventions of the instrument. His technique and distinctive style revolutionize the accordion in contemporary music, providing a performance that will capture the attention of the public with his technical mastery and creativity.
On Wednesday, October 16, the Anouar Brahem Quartet will bring its influences of jazz and Arabic music to the Jameos del Agua Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. Led by the famous dressmaker Anouar Brahem, the quartet will offer a sophisticated evening in which oriental rhythms will be fused with elements of contemporary jazz, creating an evocative auditory experience. With this, it will be the third time that the Tunisian musician is part of the Festival's program, after his participation in 1996 and 2000.
On Thursday, October 17, Björn Meyer will present his project "Provenance" at the Cueva de los Verdes Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. Meyer, known for his work with the six-string electric bass, will fuse classical music with contemporary elements in a deep and emotional performance, highlighting his ability to transform the sound of the bass into a tool for musical exploration.
On Friday, October 18, the Buñuel Hall of the CIC El Almacén will host URHO at 8:00 p.m. URHO, known for its innovative approach to electronic music and real-time visuals, will present a performance that combines sound, image and technology in a fluid way, creating an immersive sensory experience and challenging the expectations of the public.
The festival, in collaboration with the Contemporary Festival of the International Music Festival of the Canary Islands of the Government of the Canary Islands, will conclude on Saturday, October 19 with a featured performance. At 8:00 p.m., the orchestral formation Echo Collective will offer its particular tribute to Radiohead's album "Amnesiac" at the Jameos del Agua Auditorium. Their unique reinterpretation of this iconic work will combine elements of classical music with the distinctive sound of Radiohead for an exciting auditory experience.
Novel cinematographic proposals
In addition, the Festival includes in this edition a film program that explores the connection between music and cinema. On Wednesday, October 9, Cabin Music, by James Carson, will be screened, a documentary about his spiritual transformation when building a cabin in the Canadian wilderness, merging personal narrative and music.
On Tuesday, October 15, Ryūichi Sakamoto: OPUS, directed by Neo Sora, will be presented, which shows the last performance of the Japanese composer in an intimate concert filmed by his son. Both screenings will be in the Buñuel Hall of El Almacén.
To purchase tickets and obtain more information about the festival, you can visit the official website of the Festival or the page of the Culture area of the Cabildo de Lanzarote.
The Visual Music Festival of Lanzarote is organized by the Cabildo de Lanzarote, in collaboration with the Contemporary Festival of the International Music Festival of the Canary Islands, SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote and EPEL Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo.
