The Las Cigarreras vertical garden in Alicante hosts a special Saturday night ahead of the second edition of the festival machine, with a lineup featuring Paco Moreno and Xenia. The event is organized in collaboration with the Todo Bien collective and the Valencia Community Museums Consortium and runs as part of the cultural programming at the center from September 22 to 26. It sets the tone for the festival by offering a pre-event experience that blends live performance and contemporary sounds in a vibrant arts setting.
The pre-machine evening begins at 7:00 PM with free admission while capacity allows, inviting attendees to enjoy a mix of rumba rhythms and electronic textures as a preview of the late summer scene. The atmosphere is designed to bridge traditional rhythm with modern electronic experimentation, creating a warm, anticipatory backdrop for the weekend ahead.
Paco Moreno, born in Almería in 1991, will inaugurate the festivities with a performance described as an authentic take on modern rumba. His repertoire traverses multiple genres, weaving bolero, cumbia, and rumba with contemporary influences to craft a sound that feels both nostalgic and current. Moreno began his career as a self-produced artist and later joined Primavera Labels, bringing professional production and wider reach to his live shows. On stage, he typically combines guitar with laptop-driven electronics, delivering a set that is intimate yet expansive in its sonic palette.
Following Moreno, the spotlight shifts to Xenia Rubio, a 21-year-old solo artist from Valencia. This year she released her debut album, titled noise 0, under Helsinki Pro, marking a shift toward a more electronic and experimental orientation. The record reflects a thoughtful and introspective process, and the Alicante audience will have the chance to experience it live for the first time. Xenia closes the evening with a performance that completes a program rooted in the Machine festival’s legacy of artistic exchange and exploration. The festival, now entering its second edition, will unfold on September 22, 23 and 24 at Las Cigarreras, building on the momentum of last year’s event and signaling a continued commitment to high-quality arts programming.
In this context, the pre-machine not only serves as a musical warm-up but also as a cultural signal that the festival intends to maintain a strong, city-wide presence. The Las Cigarreras cultural center has become a focal point for interdisciplinary creativity, and this Saturday night aligns with its broader mission to present innovative work across music, visual art, and performance. The event’s organizers emphasize an ongoing dialogue with audiences who value both local talent and emerging voices in the wider European indie and electronic music scenes. The atmosphere promises excitement, exploration, and a shared experience that resonates beyond a single evening and into the festival’s forthcoming days.
Attendees can expect a carefully curated sequence that respects the venue’s intimate setting while offering moments of expanded sound that breathe with the space. The collaboration with the Todo Bien collective and the Valencia Community Museums Consortium underscores a commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration and community engagement. The festival’s banner at Las Cigarreras signals a return to a level of ambition comparable to the previous year, inviting visitors to discover new music in a setting known for its educational and cultural impact. The stage is set for a weekend of immersive experiences where music, art, and ideas converge in a single, energizing space. [Citation: Las Cigarreras Alicante events collaboration and festival program]