Consell’s expectations from Benidorm Fest 2024
In Benidorm Fest 2024, Alicante makes a notable imprint with three local acts among the 16 finalists. The lineup spans a wide spectrum of styles, confirming the region’s rich musical diversity. The set of representatives from Spain includes Nebulossa, Almácor, and Mantra, each bringing a distinct feel to the national stage.
Nebulossa is an electronic pop duo formed by vocalist María Bas and producer-synthesizer Mark Dasousa. Their track GLAM has earned notable streams on major platforms, with about 100,000 on Spotify and around 67,000 views on YouTube. The duo debuted on the scene in 2021 with a release slate that includes a forthcoming EP. A recent single, I Gave Myself to Porn, dropped in September and signals continued momentum for the act. Their signature sound blends polished pop melodies with synth-driven textures, a combination they describe as MPYMS, a fusion of catchy pop and vintage synth aesthetics. In interviews, they emphasize how their work channels the spirit of the 80s while still speaking to contemporary listeners, a stance that RTVE has highlighted in coverage of their work.
Nebulossa’ s following across streaming and social platforms has grown steadily. On Spotify they reach around 1,870 monthly listeners, Instagram accounts show roughly 17,200 followers, and their YouTube presence includes about 448 subscribers. These numbers reflect a developing but engaged fan base that supports live performances and festival appearances.
Almácor, Arturo Almarcha Corella, is an emerging urban contemporary artist from Villena. At 26 years old, he began releasing music independently at the end of 2019 after exploring several paths. Encouraged by close friends, he released Báilalo and El Dembow in quick succession, experiences that propelled him toward a rising stature within the Spanish urban scene. His trajectory has positioned him as a notable promise in urban music, with performances and media attention contributing to his growing popularity.
Since the release of MELANCOLIZ in June 2023, Almácor has showcased a blend of urban rhythms with Afrobeat, reggaeton, and dancehall influences across six tracks. RTVE describes the debut EP as a concentrated study in mood, pairing melancholy with exuberance across tightly produced songs such as San Juan, Extraño, Vinos En Marbella, Explícame, Colores Tristes, and Bailando y Bebiendo. The artist’s recent single, Fuera de cover, a collaboration with Chus Santana and Chema Rivas, demonstrates a continued push into broader collaborations and international exposure.
Public response to Almácor has translated into substantial social media and streaming metrics. He commands about 27,000 monthly Spotify listeners, 29,500 Instagram followers, roughly 14,000 YouTube views, and 10,200 fans on TikTok. His nomination in the Best Urban Newcomer category at the Music Awards highlighted industry recognition in 2023, further fueling expectations for his Benidorm Fest appearance.
Mantra, a group formed near Alicante by Carlos Marco, Paula Pérez, and Charly, blends individual backgrounds into a cohesive trio. The trio’s origin traces back to close collaborations among friends who pursued a common musical path. After a year of development, they released their first widely heard track, I Wasn’t Expecting You, a collaboration with Yera, which captured the group’s romantic pop sensibilities and Latin influences. The distinctive lineup—one female voice joined by two male voices—gives Mantra a unique vocal balance within the Spanish scene, allowing for a rich, harmonious texture across songs and live performances.
Mantra’s sound evolved with the June 2023 release of their first studio album Epicentro, which fuses pop-rock, electronic-pop, and urban-pop elements. In September, they dropped Do You Remember or Don’t You Remember?, a track that has found airplay on major national radio stations. Carlos Marco, a former member of the boy band Auryn, steps onto the Benidorm Fest stage as a performer and songwriter, following earlier stints as a composer for other artists and early attempts to represent Spain in Eurovision. The group’s early work highlights a lyrical focus on romance and personal reflection, with a distinctly Latin-inspired production style that resonates with contemporary audiences.
- Spotify: 124,000 monthly listeners
- Instagram: 9,742
- YouTube: 27,800
- TikTok: 5,400
The Benidorm Fest 2024 lineup underscores a trend of regional talent breaking into the national spotlight. Collectively, these artists reflect Alicante’s vibrant music scene and its capacity to produce pop, urban, and electronic acts that appeal to diverse audiences across Spain and beyond. Their journeys—driven by independent releases, strategic collaborations, and festival exposure—illustrate how modern artists cultivate audiences across multiple channels while preparing for a high-profile event like Eurovision. (Source: RTVE and regional press coverage.)