report
english text /a report by GNZ
Turning 18 is important for any person, but it’s even more important when the anniversary corresponds to an event and not a human being. People, if anything goes wrong, keep celebrating birthdays naturally. It’s the life cycle. But when the anniversary is for a musical proposal like Monegros Desert Festival we might think arriving to the 18th edition requires a strong will, needs of a firm purpose. Because even if we-re not really aware of it, opening the doors of such a huge festival edition after edition is an enormous effort at many different levels, and overcoming many obstacles. Just before we start the guided tour over this year Monegros’ line up, we wanted to pay them a tribute as well to congratulate each and every one involved in this proposal and wish to meet many more years. Something we’d love to see… There’s something about Monegros Desert
monegros desert festival Festival, rather several “somethings” that make the difference with other electronic music festivals taking place in Spain. First one is the location, the town of Fraga (Huesca). A location immerged in the Monegros’ desert aridity, an inhospitable landscape receiving 40.000 visitors on each edition of the festival; visitors not afraid neither of dust and sand storms nor the weather inclemency. Second one is its duration. Almost one day, to be precise 20 hours of non-stop music. A true sprint. Another factor, one of the most important from our point of view, is its musical direction. Since its inception Monegros Desert Festival has had a varied selection of style, while it has remained loyal to “minority” styles, and true to their ideals of quality, gradually improving their facilities, and assuring national and international leading shows on each edition.
Dance electronic music, with Techno on its forefront, is the main character, but there’s also space and time for styles like Electro, Schranz, House, Minimal, Hip Hop, Dubstep and Drum & Bass. One of the big surprises for this year edition, taking place on July the 21st, it’s the not musical parallel activities. This year you’ll find many animation, street theater and “performance” groups, all over the area of the festival, making their shows in place, following their own aesthetics ideas, but under the same common theme: Sand, Fire, Iron and Destruction. This first edition of “Monegros Des-Art”, which is the name of this initiative involving several companies among which we’ll find La Fura Dels Baus. This new proposal aims other than entertainment, something much more ambitious, such as creating the own festival company, to be called Desart Company. The organization is open to suggestions and proposals, so if you’re interested in helping or just want more information about Desart