The music at Castrelos is closing the season with a strong finish this summer. Francisco Javier Álvarez, in memory of his first hometown concert a decade ago at Sala Másterclub Beret in Seville (1996), makes his debut on the city’s main stage to bring the program to a memorable close. “I live for festival moments.” After two delays for external reasons, the artist is eager to take on this responsibility.
He says he won’t be performing as many shows this year, but the gigs will be larger and more impactful.
Yes, the truth is that he limits the number of performances while elevating their scale. He has traveled to venues that accommodate larger crowds. The summer moved a bit slower than planned, but the touring has continued for a decade, and he needed a quieter pace. The past year was marked by fewer concerts and more meaningful engagements, and he is genuinely satisfied with that balance.
Moreover, this will be the final stop before the tour concludes at Wizink Center in Madrid in November. How does he approach it after two postponements?
I can honestly say that the concert where social media chatter peaks will be the one that stands out. There was a moment when someone in Vigo commented on how busy everyone was, and that left a lasting impression on him and his family.
Vigo had long been a festival staple for him, but a stage of this magnitude felt overdue. A poster announcing the event, shared and celebrated by fans, felt like a finishing touch. What will the show be like?
It’s a moment of pure anticipation because so many followers have tracked his journey for years. He aims to deliver a performance that leaves everyone with a lasting impression. He plans to sing both familiar hits and new material, inviting the audience to jump, laugh, and even cry together. Fans will depart energized, while first-timers will still have a great time, thanks to a truly dynamic concert experience. He approaches Vigo with the same calm confidence and believes the energy will be just as strong there.
Did you realize how much the Vigo audience understood the scene before him, having seen other artists perform and shared their experiences on social media?
Yes, he recalls a colleague in Vigo who tried to prepare a visual guide to Castrelos for him. Seeing Castrelos in person was awe-inspiring—an incredible moment, beautiful and cool. The size of the crowd and the level of enthusiasm were remarkable, and he felt a wave of excitement wash over him. He’s genuinely thrilled about the upcoming performance.
His latest work, Resiliencia, touched him on a deeply personal level. Is there behind-the-scenes effort to capture the connection between lyrics and live storytelling?
Absolutely. The essence of each song remains constant: the emotion conveyed. He works to present versions that translate clearly on digital platforms while also experimenting with everything from the old classics to the newest tracks. The live show blends moments of melancholy with bursts of energy, and there is a playful interplay with the audience. For a true fan who has followed him for years, the show promises a wave of excitement and a strong sense of joy.
Is there a real difference between studio work, intimate rooms, and the stage?
What he aims for is a sense of family and sincere feeling, regardless of attendance. Live music must feel tangible and not merely simulated online. A band with drums, piano, guitar, a backup vocalist, and a light technician can reveal something that digital formats simply cannot capture.
He has led the Spanish music scene for nearly three decades, yet his future plans go further than before. What lies ahead?
Right now, he has about 12 songs ready and is deciding how best to release them. There are many tracks in the vault, and the schedule needs clarity. He plans to return to Latin America and expand appearances in the United States. As he noted, 2024 will include many more engagements from Spain. The aim is to keep moving, growing the family, and visiting places he hasn’t yet explored.
There was chatter about his name on various preliminary lists for festivals including Benidorm Fest. Could he imagine himself taking part?
Eurovision isn’t something that interests him deeply. He sees the criticism that can come with such exposure and would participate only in a healthier environment. He believes that the festival’s current climate is overly harsh toward music and performers, and until the dynamics improve, he’s not inclined to join the race for a platform that amplifies hostility rather than joy.