Valls is preparing for a new edition of the Music Valls Va de Vins festival, scheduled for 16 and 17 May at El Pati. Organised by the Valls City Council's Department of Commerce, alongside DO Tarragona, the Societat Agrícola de Valls, and the Valls Restaurateurs Association, with support from the Generalitat's Department of Culture, the event combines live music, local food, and regional wines. It is establishing itself as a key cultural event of the spring season.

This year's programme includes a varied and high-quality musical selection, giving prominence to both well-known names and newer acts. Dani Nel·lo, a recognised saxophonist, and Rambalaya, a strong rhythm & blues band, are among the highlights. The festival also features performances led by women, such as Donallop from Mallorca, the gipsy jazz group Maria Pascual & Punch Trio, and the world music ensemble Ellas Music Band.

New Additions and Pre-Festival Event

For the first time, the festival incorporates a street show for families, featuring the performance 'Katapulten'. A special pre-festival event, 'Suite Terra i Vi' (Suite Earth and Wine), will take place on Wednesday, 14 May, at the Societat Agrícola de Valls. This free event combines music, poetry, and wine tasting, though capacity is limited and requires prior booking.

'Suite Terra i Vi' starts at 8pm and features seven Mediterranean-inspired musical pieces, reflecting the vine's life cycle, paired with DO Tarragona wine tasting. Rocío Sevares composed the music, with a libretto by Aleix Cort, electronic adaptation by Gerard Marsal, and vocals by Neus Pàmies.

Festival Programme: Friday 16 May

On Friday, 16 May, performances begin at El Pati de Valls:

  • 7.30pm | Maria Pascual & Punch Trio: This project merges European 'manouche' guitars, inspired by Django Reinhardt, with American vocal jazz. Maria Pascual, following her debut at France's Django Reinhardt Festival, brings an energetic live show to Valls, full of swing and gipsy jazz improvisation.
  • 9.00pm | Rambalaya: Led by Anton Jarl (drummer for Mambo Jambo), Rambalaya will present their third album, Plays For The Brokenhearted (2025), which includes rock, blues, and soul. The group's members, including Jonathan Herrero, Héctor Martín, Matías Míguez, Pol Prats, Àlex López, and Alberto Burguez, are experienced musicians, and their live shows are considered among the best in Spain. Their return to the stage promises an intense night.

Festival Programme: Saturday 17 May

Saturday, 17 May, at El Pati de Valls features:

  • 12.30pm | Vermouth Concert with Ellas Music Band: This trio, comprising women from Bulgaria (Lyubomira Stoycheva), Argentina (María González), and Poland (Marta Lewko), all residents of Tarragona, performs traditional music fused with sensitivity. Their repertoire uses violins, guitars, tambura, vocal harmonies, and cajón for a midday full of cultural roots.
  • 6.00pm and 7.00pm | Street Show: Katapulten (Cia Traüt): A family show at El Pati and along Carrer de la Cort. Performers portray northern barbarians with a large medieval catapult, displaying their skills with often comical results. This show offers humour, parody, and action for all ages in two 40-minute sessions.
  • 7.30pm | Donallop: Joana Pol, the voice of Donallop, returns to the stage with a strong live performance, previewing songs from her fourth album, expected in autumn. The band has performed over 300 concerts and released five albums, establishing itself in the Spanish indie scene. Hits like 'Perdó', 'Inconscients', and 'Qui te plora' will be heard in Valls.
  • 9.00pm | Dani Nel·lo presents Los Saxofonistas Salvajes: This is a main attraction of the Music Valls Va de Vins. The Barcelona saxophonist Dani Nel·lo will present his new LP, Los Saxofonistas Vol. III, which revisits instrumental rhythm & blues classics such as 'El Twister', 'Sassy', and 'Honey White', along with two new pieces: 'Snake Eyes' and 'Night Train Mambo'. This concert is for fans of jazz, blues, and the energy of the saxophone.

The festival aims to continue its tradition of bringing together music, local produce, and community engagement in Valls.