Alizzz, Depresión Sonora, and Rita Payés to perform at Matadero Madrid for European Music Day
- Families can enjoy morning concerts by La Fantástica Banda and Le Parody on Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st, respectively, at the Central de Diseño.
- Oficina Cerrada has created the festival's visual identity, inspired by the colors of Madrid and linking sound and movement to create an imaginary centered on music and birds.
- Tickets are available for €5 at www.mataderomadrid.org.
Matadero Madrid, the contemporary creation center of the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sport, presents the program for DEMM 26, the festival commemorating European Music Day. From June 19 to 21, the festival will feature eight concerts at Plaza Matadero and two morning music sessions for families in the Columnas Hall of the Central de Diseño.
This event, a fixture of Matadero Madrid’s programming since its first edition in 2009, provides a comprehensive overview of some of the most prominent artists and styles in the current Spanish music scene—a mix of genres defined by high quality and contemporary relevance. Curated by music promoter Nacho Ruiz, with the collaboration of Heineken and a visual identity by Oficina Cerrada, DEMM 26 showcases the creative vibrancy of the national music scene.
Major names in the current musical landscape at Plaza Matadero
The first day, Friday, June 19, features the audiovisual vanguard of Maria Arnal, who will present her debut solo album, AMA, in a spectacular show overflowing with imagination. Joining the lineup is Ángeles Toledano, a fundamental voice in contemporary flamenco who has quickly transitioned from a "flamenco revelation" to a staple of Spanish-language music, showcasing her talent in her debut full-length album, Sangre Sucia (released September 2025). That same day, trombonist Rita Payés and pianist Lucía Fumero will present their unique blend of jazz and folk, performing in Madrid for the first time. The first day concludes with an electronic DJ set by Gazzi, a staple of the national festival circuit, known for his infectious, risk-taking sets that cross genres and styles with broken rhythms and pulsating atmospheres.
On Saturday, June 20, the second round of DEMM 26 concerts brings together three key names in the new pop scene. The charismatic and talented pablopablo (Pablo Drexler), one of the most significant revelations of recent times, will perform tracks from his debut Canciones en Mi. He is joined by Alizzz (Cristian Quirante), who—starting from an irresistible postmodern pop foundation—has created massive hits across pop, trap, electronic, and reggaeton, showcasing his great melodic intuition. The day of dance and fun continues with Depresión Sonora (Marcos Crespo), the unofficial spokesperson for his generation, whose dark pop and irresistible post-punk anthems like those from his second album, Los perros no entienden Internet (y yo no entiendo de sentimientos), connect deeply with the frustrations and desires of his peers. The Saturday program concludes with Akazie, a DJ constantly exploring new electronic terrain, who has firmly established herself as one of the most exciting talents in the national scene since settling in Madrid.
Family concerts at the Central de Diseño
DEMM 26 also emphasizes the educational and recreational potential of music with special family-friendly concerts. Two concerts will be held in the Columnas Hall of the Central de Diseño on Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st at 12:00 PM. The first will feature La Fantástica Banda, known for their repertoire full of sensitivity and expertise, offering catchy, educational, and danceable shows. On Sunday, the multitalented and polyhedral artist Le Parody will perform, demonstrating that risk and experimentation have a place in family-oriented shows as well.
Tickets and Schedule
The two concert sessions on Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th at Plaza Matadero will cost €5 each, running from 8:00 PM to 1:15 AM. The children's concerts are also €5. Tickets can be purchased at mataderomadrid.org.
The pixel as a compositional unit
The visual identity for DEMM 26 was created by Oficina Cerrada, a graphic design studio based in Seville and Croatia. Their work links sound and movement to create a visual imaginary centered on music and birds. Inspired by the colors of Madrid and using the pixel as a compositional unit, they have generated a graphic universe where rhythm and modular structure unfold in the blues of the sky, the ochres and yellows of summer, the greens of the vegetation surrounding Matadero, and the reds of the vibrant, electric city.
Safety and Accessibility
To ensure safe, violence-free leisure and cultural spaces, Purple Points (Puntos Violeta) will be installed to provide information and raise awareness regarding the prevention of sexual violence against women. The event will also feature LSE (Spanish Sign Language) mediators for the deaf. Additionally, all concerts on the Plaza Matadero stage will be equipped with magnetic induction loops, amplified sound, and vibrating backpacks.
More information and tickets: mataderomadrid.org