Return to a homeland and a cuisine they cherish, a debt they have kept paying for ten years. Santi Balmes and Love of Lesbian will perform at Parque de Castrelos this Friday, nearly a decade after the Angrois Alvia derailment forced them to cancel their Vigo en Festas appearance. The Spanish composer, writer, singer and showman presents An Epic Journey to Nothingness, a show that roots itself in its origins and solidifies the band as one of the most acclaimed voices in Spain’s indie scene.
With the release of Epic Journey Towards Nothingness, the band faced early expectations of a heavy, pandemic shaped record, especially after the video for the lead clip carried footage of confinement. Was that the plan from the start?
We did not intend to begin with such heaviness, but the circumstances reshaped the project. It became clear that opening with a sober, almost admonishing perspective about society could expose a path forward. So the opening tone became a quiet, but firm, warning that the journey ahead would be tinged with sadness.
There is a shift toward more classical textures and bolder, experimental pieces like El Paso.
Like a plant, the band matured with the world around them. They approached the project as a voyage from drama and claustrophobia toward a clearer sense of expansion and release.
They had their first big comeback in Barcelona in 2021. How did that much anticipated return unfold?
The comeback was far from smooth. It felt like stepping into a non existent world, an inner ordeal that others could not see. The atmosphere was electric, and the hope that this would not become a norm lingered in the air. It was the opposite of every adolescent dream about playing in a band, a surreal moment that defined a turning point.
Was the return delayed for a price?
There was a feeling of expression being limited, a kind of robotic, cyber concert with little room for spontaneity. The hope then was that the moment would end and that the jealousy of the moment would not burn away the mood.
End of the Vigo show in 2022 at the Mar de Vigo Auditorium brought an eight minute standing ovation. How did that moment feel to the band?
For those present, it felt like a cleansing, a shared miracle that brought relief to many. It was the kind of moment that makes a long road feel worthwhile.
Now the group heads to Castrelos after postponing two days ago a show to address the 2013 Angrois tragedy, leaving many fans with a stubborn ache. Was that a lingering issue for the band too?
The decision to perform under those circumstances was uncomfortable, yet the issue was set aside after many years. It will likely be intense to revisit, but the are prepared for it.
What can fans expect from the concert?
Every time they take the stage, they sense that the audience wants to have a good time. The band intends to deliver that energy, to mix joy with depth. A recent moment at Poble Espanyol inspired Balmes to reconsider their repertoire and to keep certain Love of Lesbian songs in rotation because the public wants a strong, uplifting experience.
Is the band planning more celebrations with the audience?
They plan to release new material slowly as they grow more serious about catharsis and the ideas they left behind. Seeing people enjoy themselves brings happiness, and the band aims to keep the spirit alive. They won’t chase an endless cycle of record, tour, repeat, but they do want to explore other avenues while keeping LOL present in a lighter form.
They have always connected with younger listeners, but the crowd now includes a wider age range. Price points play a role in who attends, and affordable tickets attract teenagers alongside adults. The band values those accessible prices and hopes for continued turnout from younger fans who may otherwise skip festivals.
What lies ahead after this tour?
Through 2023 they plan to continue touring through Spain and Latin America, with Mexico featuring prominently. Small festivals will mingle with larger appearances as they work toward a new album. It may not be the last release, but it signals a shift toward future projects.
A closing thought from the band suggests an ongoing cycle may give way to new ventures. They intend to pursue parallel projects without disappearing entirely, so Love of Lesbian can reappear in a lighter, refreshed form.