In 2022, M-Clan unveiled a new live project that compromised their usual stage scale: a stripped down, acoustic, two-man format featuring Carlos Tarque and Ricardo Ruipérez. After a stint behind bars, Tarque and Ruipérez decided to embark on a nostalgic tour of their classics, reimagined for intimate listening. The plan culminated in a two-day recording at Sala Barts in Barcelona in December, captured live without a formal audience registration. The sessions were watched by a seated, masked crowd, underscoring the era’s constraints while preserving the electricity of a real performance. This recording captured the essence of a pivotal two-year period for M-Clan and immortalized the moment in audio and video form.
En petit comité becomes a deliberate invocation of the past, not just for the songs that define personal soundtracks but also for the format itself. An accompanying DVD by Lasdelcine documents the concert, offering fans a visual companion to the audio experience. With normal life resuming and the project’s release imminent, M-Clan expanded the concept to include the full band and aligned it with the band’s broader ambitions, including the wrap-up of a new solo album. Tarque recently performed at the San Mamés stadium, sharing the spotlight with Fito Cabrales for a crowd of 45,000 loyal fans, and he offers context for the project’s origins.
The format echoes the No Plug era from 2001, but the world has evolved dramatically since then. Is the duo flourishing in today’s landscape? How has their approach shifted over time?
Two decades have passed, and while technology and production have advanced, the core of the music remains intact. There are ongoing global conflicts and enduring social disparities that persist, reminding listeners that injustice remains a challenge. Yet the spirit of the performances endures, grounded in the belief that music remains a powerful vehicle for connection and resilience.
How did the No Plug 2.0 idea begin, and what inspired the decision to memorialize that moment?
A memorial project for No Plug had been planned to celebrate the anniversary. The pandemic, however, altered those plans and forced improvisation. The result was a format born out of necessity that could still bring concerts to audiences and document a unique moment in the group’s history.
Did the constraints of the time influence the connection with audiences and the touring experience?
The acoustic duo setup proved versatile, allowing performances in nearly any venue and reducing travel logistics to a single van with a small crew. The stripped-down sound did mean the loss of a full band’s broader palette, but the format also sharpened the music’s bare honesty. The constraints did not dampen the energy; they redefined it, forcing a more intimate dialogue with listeners.
Were audience favorites like Calling Earth and Fear still central to the repertoire, and did this shift reveal growth beyond the band’s traditional identity?
Delivering beloved hits remains a priority, yet the ensemble also explores deeper cuts from their catalog. At thirty years in, the band has enjoyed longevity that allows for a playful, resonant live experience. Listeners are treated to a mix of signature tracks and selections that resonate with fans who’ve journeyed with the group for decades, creating a show that feels both familiar and fresh.
What sparked the decision to record the Galicia concert and later the Barcelona performances?
A live Galicia show revealed a remarkable synergy with the audience and a palpable vitality in the performance. The team decided to document that instant connection, capturing the essence of a concert without peppering it with artificial enhancements. For the Barcelona sessions, a brighter stage was set to ensure the recording reflected the truth of the moment—sparse, solid, and unadorned, so that the live experience could be felt as it happened.
When the announcement lands, it signals a moment for fans in Canada and the United States to glimpse the roots of M-Clan’s live evolution. The concerts are scheduled to showcase the stripped-down power of a duo operation, with the full band soon rejoining the stage for a broader, electric tour aligned with Tarque’s ongoing solo work. The material intended for release underscores both continuity and reinvention, inviting audiences to witness a band that knows how to evolve without losing its soul.
What does this album mean in the bigger picture? It marks a bridge between established classics and new explorations while the group continues to tour with the electric lineup. The approach relies on direct and honest performances, focusing on the musician’s craft rather than studio embellishments. The creative impulse remains alive, and Tarque’s collaboration with Raya points to a bold new project expected to surface in the near future, signaling a sustained momentum across rock and related genres.
The essence of rock persists as a live, physical experience rather than a distant, digital echo. The performers emphasize that attending a show—feeling the crowd, hearing the raw energy, and sharing the moment in real time—remains central to the rock experience. Screens may offer glimpses, but the life of the music happens in the room, where movement, presence, and connection fuel the performance. This philosophy fuels the ongoing anticipation around M-Clan’s next chapter in North America and beyond, inviting fans to participate in a living, breathing rock journey.