Flamenco Festival Trocadero 2025

Flamenco Festival Trocadero Sotogrande 2025

Contemporary music and dance festivals in Andalucia

by Tony Bryant

The fifth edition of the Trocadero flamenco festival in Sotogrande took place at the Trocadero Beach Club and Restaurant from 31st July to 23rd August 2025. The Trocadero 'mas que flamenco' festival presented names from the world of flamenco, and, as with last year’s edition, some performers that do not fit into the flamenco category.

The festival began in 2021 and the first two editions presented renowned flamenco singers such as José Mercé, María Terromoto, Racapino Chico, Remedios Amaya and Árcangle, along with dancers like Farrucuito and Antonio Canales, and guitar maestros Tomatito and Pepe Habichuela. However, along with a reduction in the number of artistes/performances this festival presents, the organisers have begun adding popular rock and pop acts, most probably in an attempt to attract a wider audience.

Seven events announced so far or the 2025 edition compared to six in the 2024 edition, some with double billing, compared to more than a dozen in previous years, and of these, only one or two can be categorised as flamenco in the true sense of the word. Another unusual element for a flamenco festival is the participation of DJs.

The festival taks place at the Trocadero Beach Club and Restaurant

Trocadero beach club in Sotogrande has a picture postcard view. © Michelle Chaplow

About the artists

Gypsy Kings
Gipsy Kings bring Catalan flair to the Festival this summer with their blend of rumba, flamenco, salsa and pop. The group of travelling musicians formed in Arles, France, in 1979, born to gitano parents, Spanish Romanis who fled Spain in the 30s during the Civil War. They are known for adding a Catalin twist to their covers of popular English-language songs - including their 1987 track “A Mi Manera”, a cover of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. Other covers include Bob Marley’s “One Love” which they collaborated on with the famed reggae singer’s son Ziggy. Collectively, they have globalised rumba and flamenco music and found real success with their self titled 1987 album, which was one of few Spanish-language albums to spend 40 weeks in the US charts.

Massive in the USA, where their recordings often sell platinum, the Gypsy Kings are probably the most popular, and populist, nuevo flamenco band in the world. Famed for their 1987 hit, 'Bamboleo', they bring a distinctive French influence from their origins in the gypsy culture around Arles, Montpelier, where Spain's roma legacy overlaps the border of France. Recommended albums: Best Of, Gypsy Kings, Tierra Gitana

Bebe
Born in Valencia in 1978, María Nieves Rebolledo Vila – Bebe – is a Spanish singer and actress who achieved international fame in 2004 with the breakthrough album Pafuera Telarañas, which secured her the ‘Best New Artist’ award at the Latin Grammy Awards the following year. Strangely enough, Bebe announced in 2006 that she was taking a break for a few years to “recycle” herself, although she returned in 2009 with the album Y. Other albums followed, along with several television and movie roles. Her music is a combination of light flamenco, electronic and pop, and her lyrics move away from sexist connotations, consecrating her as a feminist icon. However, in 2021 she caused controversy when she expressed her desire to distance herself from feminism.

Tobalo and Friends
Tobalo and Friends is an ensemble of celebrated singers, dancers and guitarists who will demonstrate the true essence of a Gypsy family fiesta. Known as the king of the Catalan rumba, José Tobalo is a key figure on the percussion scene who quickly attracted the attention of many music professionals. He has performed with some of the most established musicians at many of the most important festivals and on stages around the world.  Always adhering to his roots (his father was a flamenco singer), Tobalo strives to find new directions for the ‘rumba flamenca’, fusing it with his passion for jazz and funk music. He has worked with numerous artistes over the years, and this year his flamenco cuadro includes La Fabi, a singer from Arcos de la Frontera (Cádiz); dancer Farruquito and his son, Juan El Moreno, also a dancer; and Diego del Morao, a legendary guitarist from the Santiago district of Jerez de la Frontera.

Pignoise
Pignoise is a punk/pop band that was founded in 2005 by the former Real Madrid footballer Álvaro Benito, who is also a composer, singer and guitarist. His musical career began after a serious knee injury ended his days at the premier division club. Benito began composing songs in English that were influenced by bands like The Ramones and Green Day, but the group received minimal success with their first few recordings. They eventually caught the attention of the music buying-public with the song Nothing to Lose, which became the theme tune for the television series Los Hombres de Paco, in which they regularly appeared. This brought them success and a recording contract with the Warner DRO company, with which they produced Anunciado en Television, an album of more complex songs with well-crafted melodies. The album earned them a Platinum Record, and sent them on a tour of Spain, performing 170 concerts in 18 months. They have since released a string of alternative pop rock albums and are currently in the middle of a tour taking in major cities and towns in Spain to mark their 20th anniversary.

Yerai Cortés
Born in Alicante in 1995, Yerai Cortés is considered a leading figure of contemporary flamenco guitar. He gained fame performing in the top flamenco tablaos of Madid and has since become a much- sought-after accompanist, working with numerous established flamenco artistes. The collaborations have allowed him to explore different facets of flamenco and fuse it with other musical genres.

During the 2021 edition of the Jerez Festival de la Bulería, he was awarded the Guitarra con Alma trophy, a recognition that highlights his talent and contribution to the contemporary flamenco scene of today.

Practical Info

The festival offers several different zones, and ticket prices vary from 25€ (standing at back) to 200€ (per person at 50 four seated tables at front and sides). there are also 250 threatre style seating tickets available. All performances begin at 22.00 hrs. Doors open 20.00. Table seating can order dinner. Standing area has bar service throughout concert. In total, there will be 10 concerts with a capacity ranging from 250 to 500 people.
Tickets trocaderoflamencofestival.koobin.com

About the Third edition of the festival in 2023.
About the Second edition of the festival in 2022.
About the First edition of the festival in 2021.
Music and dance festivals in Andalucia