• The musical and humor event rooted in tradition, promoted by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, will take place on Saturday, May 29th at Plaza de Santa Ana
• “This event serves to deepen our identity and cohesion as a people,” emphasises the island president, Antonio Morales

Music and humor rooted in tradition continue to grow the collective tree of Canarian identity, emerging once again with the Festival Canariona, a celebration where tradition and contemporaneity join hands. The event will take place on May 29th at Plaza de Santa Ana with a varied lineup that mixes styles, tastes, and generations as a reflection of the island’s own essence, giving prominence to Gran Canarian and Canarian talent.

“This event serves to enjoy our traditions and deepen our identity and cohesion as a people,” emphasised the president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, at the press conference presentation of this event promoted by the island government and organised by Infecar. Canariona has consolidated itself as an anticipated event whose chemistry manages to fuse ages and trends through music’s ability to serve as a social thread on the night before Canary Islands Day.

Morales recalled that this is the fifth edition of Canariona, which resumed the spirit of the pre-Canary Islands Day festivals taken up by the Cabildo in 2017 and was transformed in 2020 into ‘CanariON’, a virtual event and symbol of resilience, as it was the first of its kind in the archipelago during the pandemic.

Philologist and verse improviser Yeray Rodríguez, one of the participants precisely in the Covid-era edition, emphasised that in Canariona “the stage and audience become mirrors of who we are and allow us to see the face and feel the pulse of the people.” He explained this at the lineup presentation held in the Cabildo Courtyard, an event featuring interpreter Thania Gil; the director of the Gran Canaria Big Band, Chano Gil; and a member of the Parranda de Teror, Juan Peña.

Rodríguez thanked for the opportunity to bring “to the heart of the city” the oral tradition he absorbed in the depths of the ravines. Poetically, Canariona will start once again like the murmur of flowing water. The celebration will begin, for the second consecutive year, with a festive parade by the Banda de Agaete and the unique Papahuevos from 6:30 PM along Triana Street (at the height of Guirlache) that will invite people to join the party that will continue at Plaza de Santa Ana.

Once at the epicentre of Canariona, the planned performances for this new edition will unfold. The first turn will be for the Parranda de Teror, with special collaborations from Thania Gil and Julia Rodríguez’s voices. Next, Tenerife comedian Darío López and the aforementioned Yeray Rodríguez will take the stage to give a new chisel blow to their concept ‘Forward and period’.

Following this, the Gran Canaria Big Band will deploy more than twenty performers of different instruments and propose a musical journey in the company of island singers Cristina Ramos, Chago Melián, Iván Quintana, Besay Pérez, Pedro Manuel Afonso, Manuel Estupiñán, and Patricia Muñoz.

The night will evolve in musical styles like a leap in time without moving from the century-old Plaza de Santa Ana. The first milestone of artistic metamorphosis will be marked by NIA’s performance, before the proposals from Juseph and DJ Baked Belda to close a night dancing under the same sky and in front of that mirror of people in movement, a polyhedral crystal illuminated by the moon that will reflect the image of the most current and self-aware Gran Canaria.

Summary of participating artists

Banda de Agaete. The group, founded in 1911, was comprised of sixteen members who were distributed among different instruments. Some are already part of the second generation of musicians. None of the members are professionals or career musicians, but in this band, what matters more is showing good humour and, above all, great camaraderie.

Parranda de Teror Founded in 1989, the Parranda has become a musical and cultural reference in the municipality of Teror and throughout the archipelago through their six discographic works and countless performances and collaborations in numerous popular and cultural events. Collaborating voices in Canariona 2025: Thania Gil is a singer and actress. She has performed on all stages of our islands, both as a soloist and representing our traditional Canarian folk music, accompanying artists like Yeray Rodríguez, giving voice to his improvised verses, Los Gofiones, La Trova, Domingo Rodríguez “El Colorao”, Benito Cabrera, or Germán López among many others. Julia Rodríguez (Fuerteventura) grew up in an environment marked by a strong musical tradition. She began her training at an early age playing the timple with her father, Domingo Rodríguez ‘El Colorao’. She masters several string instruments.

Darío López Known for his popularity on social media and for starring in successful programs on Canarian Television such as Sota, Caballo y Rey, López has consolidated his direct and everyday humorous style, with a constant nod to the customs and particularities of the Archipelago.

Yeray Rodríguez Born in Gran Canaria in 1978, he is the most representative improviser and verse maker of the Canary Islands. He has participated in the most important festivals and meetings internationally within this field, sharing the stage with great artists and musicians.

Gran Canaria Big Band Musical formation inspired by classic Big Bands, with more than 20 musicians on stage, depending on the repertoire. It has consolidated itself as a reference of Canarian and national musical heritage. It is recognized for its powerful sound and musical quality, praised by jazz figures like Bob Sands. Their repertoire ranges from boleros to complex Hard Bop arrangements and original compositions. Collaborating voices for Canariona 2025: Cristina Ramos (Gran Canaria) is the winner of Spain’s Got Talent, Mexico’s The Voice, TOP 5 in America’s Got Talent, THE CHAMPIONS and Golden Buzzer from David Foster in China’s World’s Got Talent. The power and beauty of her voice know no borders, languages, or styles. Chago Melián (Gran Canaria) is considered one of the best Canarian soloists and has shared the stage with significant national and international artists. He has sung in various parts of the world, offering massive concerts in Argentina, Uruguay, and Miami. Iván Quintana (Gran Canaria) is a precocious singer who went through the vital school of Los Gofiones (the youngest member in the history of this famous group), considers himself a defender of traditional music and of innovating by delving into the traditions of the United States. Besay Pérez (Gran Canaria) has a career spanning twenty years. He has shared the stage with the most important formations of our islands and with some of the most critical voices of our country like Lucrecia, Malú, David Bisbal, Tamara, or Beret. Pedro Manuel Afonso (Gran Canaria) began singing in various folk groups from a young age, making the leap as a Gran Canaria Philharmonic Choir member. His technique allows him to interpret any song and genre. Manuel Estupiñán (Gran Canaria) has participated as a vocal and instrumental interpreter and as an arranger in a multitude of artistic projects at a professional level for more than 25 years. He has also done musical production for some of these shows and multiple discographic productions. Patricia Muñoz (Gran Canaria) began her musical career from a very early age, interpreting songs with Canarian roots on stages, as a member of various folk groups. Her vocal range allows her to sing malagueñas, boleros, rancheras, or ballads.

NIA A complete and unique artist. In 2025 NIA made history by achieving a milestone at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, obtaining the award for Best Performer. The contest is recognised as the most important festival in Latin America, which meant the definitive leap to international visibility for the artist. Her latest releases reaffirm her artistic evolution and versatility, making NIA one of the singers with the greatest projection in the Spanish music industry.

Juseph, a Canarian by adoption with Colombian roots, has been surrounded by musicians all his life due to his family. He is a versatile artist who seeks to grow constantly under diverse influences, from Myke Towers to Kanye West or Drake, as well as artists like Rubén Blades or Marc Anthony.

Baked Belda DJ This Gran Canarian DJ offers a musical proposal designed for restless and curious minds seeking to be surprised by uniquely fusing styles and cultures, such as Tropical Cosmic Disco, World Grooves, Afropachanga, Psychedelic Cumbia Reggae, Funk Jazz & Soul, Adult Electronics, etc.

SCHEDULE

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM / Banda de Agaete Papahuevos

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM / Parranda de Teror with participation of Thania Gil and Julia Rodríguez

8:30 PM – 8:40 PM / Baked Belda (DJ)

8:40 PM – 9:25 PM / Darío López and Yeray Rodríguez

9:25 PM – 9:35 PM / Baked Belda (DJ)

9:35 PM – 10:35 PM / Gran Canaria Big Band with participation of Cristina Ramos, Chago Melián, Iván Quintana, Besay Pérez, Pedro Manuel Afonso, Manuel Estupiñán and Patricia Muñoz

10:35 PM – 10:45 PM / Baked Belda (DJ)

10:45 PM – 11:45 PM / NIA

11:45 PM – 12:00 AM / Baked Belda (DJ)

12:00 AM – 1:00 AM / Juseph