Benidorm Festival and the rise of a bold Spanish act
Benidorm Festival has become a proving ground for Spain’s Eurovision hopes, delivering a fresh crop of artists who reach millions on television and streaming platforms. This year’s winners underscored the festival’s power to launch careers and shape the European conversation around pop music, performance, and identity. The triumph highlighted a shift toward more expansive media exposure and storytelling in the competition circuit.
Around the same time, the Alicante duo known as Nebulossa drew broad attention. Maria Bas and Mark Dasousa, relatively new to the scene a few months earlier, captivated both the jury and the public with their compelling blend of vocal presence and stagecraft. Their victory, achieved with the most votes and a rare tie, positioned them as a standout act in a field crowded with experienced performers. The audience reaction on television contrasted with the live vote, where other singers such as Jorge González and Angy Fernández drew heavy attention due to personal narratives and distinctive styles.
‘Boomers’ and the next steps on the Eurovision stage
In the weeks following Benidorm Fest, the group known as Boomers prepared for a larger stage. They signed on to compete at Eurovision next May, bringing a message and a staging approach that is striking in its boldness. The band formed in 2018 in Alicante and has grown into a documented presence across regional and national media streams. Their ascent traces a clear arc from local gigs to a widely watched continental platform, with a sound that reflects their hometown roots and a willingness to push boundaries.
Maria Bas, 55, and Mark Dasousa, 47, have spent two decades together, building life and work around Ondara in the Alicante region. They are a couple with a long shared history, and they balance family commitments with a music career that has matured through collaboration and resilience. Their family story includes two children, Maria, 23, and Neo, 11, and a network of local support, including a hair salon run by Maria. The couple’s early years together were marked by a sense of playful partnership that later found its expression in stage performances and a growing professional partnership.
The Nebulossa vocalist is credited with driving the group’s early momentum, having registered the band for the Benidorm Fest ahead of the organizational process. That initiative set the band on a path toward broader exposure and the eventual recording of their first single in 2020, a track titled Beehive that helped launch their musical journey. The members describe their collaboration as a dynamic mix of personal stories and shared creative goals, a relationship that has weathered the usual challenges of rising fame.
First attempts on the international scene and a plan for the future
Following their performance at Benidorm Fest, Nebulossa released a studio album that featured a song titled Light, which earned recognition as Best Song of 2021 at Indie Cool. The group is preparing an EP titled Virtourism and has signaled plans to bring a new single, Zorra, to the Eurovision final in May. The track is expected to be a centerpiece of their live set, with a staging concept designed to resonate across European audiences. The aim is to connect with the broader public’s sensibilities while continuing the group’s distinctive approach to pop storytelling.
Benidorm Fest 2024 marked a milestone, but not the end of the journey. The band had previously attempted to gain a slot at Eurovision through an earlier campaign, a pathway that yielded less favorable results. Their persistence has now positioned them as one of Spain’s most promising representatives for the competition, with a long-term objective of making a meaningful impact on the European stage. Their strategy emphasizes a strong identity, memorable performances, and music that invites conversation across diverse audiences.
As the international season approaches, Nebulossa and Boomers hope to translate national attention into broad European engagement. The narrative surrounding their work blends personal storytelling with bold staging, an approach that aligns with evolving expectations for the contest. Observers note that this combination could redefine how Spanish acts are perceived in the context of a competitive, media-driven music landscape. The path ahead will likely involve careful audience targeting, engaging live performances, and a continued emphasis on authentic creative voices that resonate with fans and critics alike.
Throughout this journey, the emphasis remains on the artistic voice and the shared experiences that bind the members together. The story of Nebulossa and Boomers is not only about a festival win; it is about the sustained effort required to translate regional talent into a pan-European footprint. The next chapters will reveal how their music and performance choices meet the demands of a diverse audience while staying true to their roots. The European public, along with national audiences, will be watching closely as the artists navigate the complexities and opportunities of a high-stakes competition and a rapidly changing media environment. [Cited: coverage from Benidorm Festival reports and subsequent Eurovision context]