Alicante is set to host M Fest 2023, a music celebration organized by Fundación Mediterráneo. This year the event features three nationally and internationally renowned artists: Helado Negro, Carlota Flâneur and Maika Makovsky. The festival also serves as a platform launch for FlyingPigMatanza, Viscopaf, and Burro, along with many other emerging bands from the region.
In the opening moments of M Fest, a discussion took place on Thursday, October 19, starting at 20:00. The conversation featured Barcelona journalist and writer Nando Cruz and focused on offering a critical and revealing perspective on the music industry, a central theme of his latest work Macro Festivals, The Black Hole of Music. This talk sought to illuminate the forces shaping the sector and to challenge assumptions about large-scale events.
When major festivals no longer merely entertain, they become a phenomenon that transcends music. They generate billions of euros, attract tourism, spur subsidies, influence brands, and shape the experiences of artists and workers, while cities large and small continue to invest in their own festival dreams.
In his book, Nando Cruz traces an industry that overflows with activity and takes readers behind the scenes to understand what really lay behind that idyllic weekend full of confetti, wristbands, lights, and concerts.
Joining the discussion is Nuria Diaz, an environmental expert and co-founder of EcoEvent, a consultancy focused on sustainable activity management within the cultural sector and major music festivals in Spain. Diaz brings practical insight into how events can balance ambition with ecological responsibility.
Nando Cruz has been a music journalist since the late eighties. He has contributed to music magazines, the general press, television programs, and radio. Recently, through the report series Otros Escenarios Posibles in El Periódico de Catalunya and the radio program 10,000 Fogueres on Betevé, he has worked to give visibility to musical realities that often operate on the margins of official culture.
concerts
On October 20, M Fest will open with a dynamic performance by Viscopaf, an Alicante band that blends elements from 80s and 90s indie with contemporary touches of R&B and dreampop. Following them, Carlota Flâneur will command the stage with his distinctive pop sound. Tickets can be acquired at the box office or on the festival website.
A little over two years ago Carlota Flâneur emerged with a project described as brains, a delicate and colorful pop that invites reflection. The debut album explores this thread and earned strong public reception.
November 2 sees FlyingPigMatanza delivering soulful melodies that pave the way for the American artist Black Ice Cream. The concert promises a bilingual journey, weaving influences from Ecuadorian heritage with political avant-pop.
On November 17, Majorca-based Burro will join the lineup, a project born from the collaboration of two icons of Alicante’s indie acoustic scene. Maika Makovsky promises an unforgettable night full of music and passion.
Each artist and group at M Fest carries a unique story. Helado Negro, the artistic name of Roberto Carlos Lange, has earned multiple honors for contributions to music. Born in Florida with Ecuadorian roots, his sound blends diverse cultures and influences.
Maika Makovski, an artist with eight studio albums, continues to develop and surprise with her talent. Beyond composing and performing, she has also explored theater and film, expanding her creative reach.
Luis Boyer, President of the Mediterranean Foundation, emphasizes the organization’s commitment to the Alicante music scene. The aim is to complement the city’s cultural offerings, draw in younger audiences, and strengthen ties with the community. Through M Fest, the foundation seeks to act as a bridge between emerging artists and a broader audience, with a focus on the Alicante province.
Beyond a festival
M Fest aims to be more than a concert series. It seeks to serve as a growth tool for local artists by organizing bilateral sessions where established groups share stages with up-and-coming acts, promoting cultural and musical exchange.
Since its inception, Fundación Mediterráneo has worked to transform M Fest into a solid platform highlighting the musical diversity of Alicante’s province. The festival showcases genres ranging from folk to hip-hop, proving the region’s rich musical landscape.
Alejandro Tévar and Miguel Carratalá oversee the festival’s coordination, focusing on a concert series format while prioritizing three key dates. Tickets are available through the festival’s ticketing platform and at the Alicante Aula de Cultura box office.
The group selection process was rigorous, ensuring that artists were active, releasing new or upcoming albums, and offering a distinctive repertoire. M Fest aspires to enrich Alicante’s cultural calendar, drawing audiences of all ages and presenting a program that spans genres, styles, and a high standard of musical quality.