The Cabildo de Lanzarote announces that tickets are now on sale for the 19th Visual Music Festival of Lanzarote, which begins this Tuesday, August 20, through the festival's official website: festivaldemusicavisualdelanzarote.com.
This year's edition will feature an impressive lineup of artists, including Mario Batkovic, Björn Meyer, and Anouar Brahem Quartet, who will offer concerts in some of the island's most emblematic locations, such as Cueva de los Verdes, Auditorio Jameos del Agua, and Sala Buñuel in El Almacén. In addition, the program will be complemented by prominent artists such as Touch•Me•Not (aka Hara Alonso), URHO, and Echo Collective.
The president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, has highlighted the importance of the festival for the island: "The Visual Music Festival not only enriches our cultural offerings but is also a distinctive brand for Lanzarote, as well as an event that boosts the local economy and strengthens our cultural identity, attracting visitors and generating a positive impact on the island."
For his part, Jesús Machín Tavío, Culture Councilor of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, has emphasized the Cabildo's commitment to the festival: "We enthusiastically support the Visual Music Festival, which has established itself as a transformative event that enriches our cultural offerings and also promotes artistic innovation, being a clear testament to our commitment to art and culture."
Detailed Program
The concerts of the 19th Visual Music Festival of Lanzarote will begin on Thursday, October 10, in the Sala Buñuel of the CIC El Almacén with the premiere of the innovative project Touch•Me•Not, the latest proposal by Hara Alonso, known for her fusion of electronic and visual sounds, which 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 Auditorio Cueva de los Verdes at 8:00 PM. 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 audience's attention with his technical mastery and creativity.
On Wednesday, October 16, the Anouar Brahem Quartet will bring their influences of jazz and Arabic music to the Auditorio Jameos del Agua at 8:00 PM. Led by the celebrated oud player 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 has been 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 Auditorio Cueva de los Verdes at 8:00 PM. Meyer, known for his work with the six-string electric bass, will fuse classical music with contemporary elements in a profound and emotional performance, highlighting his ability to transform the sound of the bass into a tool for musical exploration.
On Friday, October 18, the Sala Buñuel of the CIC El Almacén will host URHO at 8:00 PM. URHO, known for his innovative approach to electronic music and real-time visuals, will present a performance that combines sound, image, and technology seamlessly, creating an immersive sensory experience and challenging the audience's expectations.
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 PM, the orchestral formation Echo Collective will offer their particular tribute to Radiohead's album "Amnesiac" at the Auditorio Jameos del Agua. Their unique reinterpretation of this iconic work will combine elements of classical music with the distinctive sound of Radiohead for an exciting auditory experience.
Commitment to Musical Cinema
The 19th Visual Music Festival of Lanzarote is also enriched with a carefully selected film program that explores the intimate connection between music and cinema.
Cabin Music, directed by James Carson, will be screened on Wednesday, October 9, at 8:00 PM in the Sala Buñuel of the CIC El Almacén. This documentary, which combines personal narrative with music, follows the transformative journey of Carson, who, driven by a spiritual crisis, abandons the conservatory to build a cabin in the Canadian wilderness. Cabin Music offers a lyrical feast that challenges genre conventions, serving as a profound testament to the transcendent power of music and nature.
On Tuesday, October 15, at 8:00 PM, also in the Sala Buñuel, Ryūichi Sakamoto: OPUS, directed by Neo Sora, will be presented. This emotional documentary captures the last performance of the revered Japanese composer Ryūichi Sakamoto. Filmed by his son, the concert presents Sakamoto in an intimate and audience-free environment, offering an introspective review of his career.
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 (www.culturalanzarote.com).
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.
