On the occasion of the Pilar Festival, concerts will take place at several locations around Zaragoza between October 10 and 18. In addition to a lineup in large venues featuring big names—such as Viva Suecia, Love of Lesbian, Dorian, La Oreja de Van Gogh, and León Benavente—there is also a spectacularly curated program driven by the city’s Ayuntamiento. From Aterciopelados to Malú, including Íñigo Quintero and the highly recommended Aragonese Slappy AV, a broad spectrum will be on display. At JENESAISPOP we explicitly highlight these five concerts, which will be free to enter until full capacity is reached.
Teenage Fanclub
The Pilar Festival lineup in Zaragoza isn’t made up only of national names; it also features acts from elsewhere. Teenage Fanclub were one of the leading bands of 90s Anglo-Saxon indie pop, largely thanks to their album Bandwagonesque. They have remained active, with their 2023 album Nothing Lasts Forever notable, and the best part is that they arrive with a fresh release under their belt. Right on October 9, their upcoming album, Do Not Dare to Dream, is released, from which singles such as Day in the Sun have already been previewed. They perform on October 12: you’ll have three days to pick up on the couple of new tracks they’re sure to perform.
María José Llergo
Another artist releasing a new album this year is María José Llergo, who recently published the bold El juego, three seasons after having won the Ruido Award for Best Album of the Year for Ultrabelleza. Electronica, R&B, and folklore converge on stage in her charismatic live performances, in which her voice tends to shine above all. She performs on October 13.
The Lemon Twigs
Because of their fidelity to the 1960s classics, beyond any trend, The Lemon Twigs have become a favorite among underground audiences. They fill mid-sized venues without the need for unusual guests or a constant stream of remixes. This year they released Look for Your Mind!, continuing to explore the blend of Beach Boys’ classicism with the immediacy of early Beatles. Don’t miss them on October 14.
Rufus T. Firefly
In the face of certain conservatism from private promoters, it’s worth celebrating acts like Rufus T. Firefly, authors of one of last year’s best albums, Todas las cosas buenas. The finest psychedelic rock of the 60s blends with 80s indie pop in their studio approach, resulting in a live show full of nuances, thanks to the breadth of the band. They play on October 15.
Lorena Álvarez
Finally we step out of the Winter Garden, which could have been the JENESAISPOP Stage, and into the Raíz Stage at Plaza Salamero on October 18, the festival’s last day. There will be Entreveradas and Lorena Álvarez, one of the pioneers—unintentionally—in the reivindication of national folklore. In addition to her beautiful early records, don’t miss her 2025 album, El poder sobre una misma.
Calendario Fiestas del Pilar de Zaragoza
ESCENARIO AMBAR FUENTE DE GOYA
October 10: Europa FM presents Antonio Orozco
October 11: LOS40 Pilar Pop presents Dani Fernández
October 14: Carlos Cruz Diez Symphony Orchestra
October 15: Espacio Zity presents Andrés Campo and el Alma Bakala
October 16: LOS40 Dance
October 17: Cadena 100 presents Malú
October 18: “Somos,” performed by Ara Malikian, Nacho del Río, and the Ixena choir.
JARDÍN DE INVIERNO
October 11: Isla Kume + Aterciopelados
October 12: Carasueño + Teenage Fanclub
October 13: La Fuina + María José Llergo
October 14: Hip Hip Cohete + The Lemon Twigs
October 15: The Fractal Sound + Rufus T. Firefly
October 16: Premier Pigs + Shabaka
October 17: Béla Sándor + Cervatana
ESTACIÓN DEL NORTE
October 10: Slappy AV + Lucho RK
October 11: Lady Funk + RdeRUMBA & PORCEL Funk Experience
October 12: Direi + Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies
October 13: Dulzaineros del Bajo Aragón + La Ronda de Boltaña
October 14: Dadá + Toreros Muertos
October 15: The Windy Sioux + Cimafunk
October 16: Umbra + Celtian
October 17: Red Bull DJ Set + Iñigo Quintero
October 18: Rapsusklei & Sharif
ESCENARIO DE RAÍZ – PLAZA SALAMERO
October 16: Ester Vallejo + Biella Nuei
October 17: Vivere Memento + Fulu Miziki
October 18: Entreveradas + Lorena Álvarez
