Compact music

The Minifestival de Música Independent once again brings us the freshest acts not found on the usual top bills. Small in size but not in grandeur, Minifestival is one of the oldest festivals in the city. Still going strong after 16 years, it all started when Xavi Guillaumes was doing the fanzine Miracles For Sale and Carles Lafuente joined him shortly after with the fanzine, Marca Acme. The two were listening to and talking about new groups who sent in their demos, when they had the idea to showcase those artists who found it difficult to get a gig. Their mission, according to Lafuente, is “to bring artists that we like regardless of fashion and hope that everything goes well. To be able to meet modest expectations and make sure that the bands are happy.”

For the first time this year, the Minifestival is served in three parts: the ‘entrée’ was a presentation concert held at the end of January. The ‘second course’ happens on February 20th (free entry) in the form of a new film festival held in the incomparable setting of the Convent de Sant Agustí. Starting at 11am, it will include exhibitions, an ideas exchange, short film screenings and a film competition using the Super 8 format, the results of which will be screened during the event. In the evening, from 7pm, there will be concerts with Nacho Umbert playing Spanish pop folk and Catalan quartet Minimal delivering atmospheric electro-pop.

For ‘dessert’, there’s the music festival itself taking place at Espai La Fontana on February 27th, starting at 5.30pm (€10 in advance, €12 on the door). The performers are a hybrid of artists from both here and abroad. Starting with the local musicians, Antonio Arias brings us quality Spanish pop-rock from Granada, while two Barcelona bands take to the stage: post-punk rockers The Last 3 Lines and Mujeres, who perform their own energetic rock. From Girona come Two Dead Cats, blending power pop and pure rock ’n’ roll.

Among those making a longer journey to take part are: Londoner Luke Haines, an artist that Guillaumes has faithfully followed since Haines started and who plays infectious pop rock beats combined with tongue-in-cheek lyrics; Mark Gardener from Oxford, who performs dreamy shoegaze pop accompanied by beautiful vocals; and US musician Rebecca Gates who will also be exhibiting her photography here.

MiniFestival de Música Independent; Convent Sant Agustí and Espai La Fontana; February 20th and 27th; www.minifestival.net