Delicious concert of Howe Gelb & M. Ward at the gardens of Ateneu Santboià

Text and photography: F. J. R.

The Festival Altaveu experienced yesterday, Friday, September 11, its second day and the performance of the headliners, the american 'folkish' Howe Gelb (Giant Sand) & M. Ward in the Jardines del Ateneo who wasthe highlight of the day. On Thursday this place was shared Obeses and Ella Speed.

These musicians and his band filled the garden, overlooking the metropolitan area of Barcelona, with american folk roots but also of other music of this great country like boogie and blues, boogie that incited dance to senior municipal officials in Sant Boi who were there enjoying the show. Gelb was very communicative with the audience and congratulated him on the "Day of Catalonia", making references to national symbols such as the Black Madonna, the Sagrada Familia or the 'patumaca'. Although dress was very American, with cap and jeans, at the end of the concert put on a fancy dress to sing 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' of Leonard Cohen at the piano. During the concert the two musicians, Howe Gelb and M. Ward, were alternating guitar and piano with moments of brilliance by the two artists. Undoubtedly, a delicious performance and a privilege to have seen them on stage.

After Gelb & Ward, about one a.m., Valencians Senior i Cor Brutal played in the same gardens own songs and versions as 'Roselletes'. Their singer and guitarist, Miguel Angel Landete, in one of his speeches, sprinkled with humor and alcohol, congratulated the Catalans for the Via Lliure at Meridiana but recommended that, once independent Catalonia, "Learn to make mixed drinks."

Previously the Plaça de l'Ajuntament had an evening dedicated to hip hop with Malvenidos band, also mixed with funk, and the performances by dance schools of the city under the name Sant Boi Urban Dance in collaboration with Rapsusklei, Loren and DJ Chino.

In the Cal Ninyo Theater played Riu, a traditional folk band dedicated to Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, and Amparo Sánchez (Amparonoia) with the company ofWilly Fuego and, for a while, the Riu violinist and, among the public, the presence of a surprising number of babies.

Today (12/10/15), in its final fireworks, will play Sidonie freely at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Christina Rosenvinge at Cal Ninyo and Nacho Vegas & Joan Miquel Oliver at the Jardines del Ateneo that will close this edition luxury Altaveu with Dorian Wood and Anna Moliner. All information here.

Photos of Howe Gelb and M. Ward at the Jardines del Ateneo de Sant Boi de Sant Boi during Altaveu Festival 2015 (09/11/15)

Photographies of Senior i el Cor Brutal at the Jardines del Ateneu santboià of Sant Boi during the 2015 Altaveu Festival (11/09/15)

Photographies of Amparo Sánchez & Willy Fuego at Cal Ninyo Theatre of Sant Boi during the Altaveu Festival 2015 (11/09/15)

Photographies of Riu band at Cal Ninyo Theater of Sant Boi during the Altaveu Festival 2015 (11/09/15)

Photographies of Malvenidos band at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento of Sant Boi during the Altaveu Festival 2015 (11/09/15)

Photographies of the Sant Boi Urban Dance (SBUD) with Rapsusklei & Loren in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento of Sant Boi during the Altaveu Festival 2015 (11/09/15)