Pepe Benavente is a classic of popular festivals. He sang at the last mass celebration before the pandemic break: Piñata Saturday of the Santa Cruz Carnival on February 29, 2020. Now he returns to the stage with more enthusiasm than ever and after having overcome the coronavirus.
How have you experienced the break due to the coronavirus pandemic?
Well, as soon as the pandemic started I had covid. I was one of the first to have it. In 2020, after performing at the Los Indianos Carnival in La Palma, I was already starting to feel weird on the plane back. And since many people were taking it on the island, I decided to have the tests done in a laboratory. And indeed, I came out positive. I spent 19 days in a room of 5 square meters. And I, who am used to being on the move all the time, suffered a lot from confinement: it was catastrophic. I had to see my family through a cell phone and without approaching anyone. Everything that had happened made me consider that I didn’t want to continue. I couldn’t accept everything that was happening to me. Thanks to my family and good friends, I was able to get ahead.
For many people this situation has been unsustainable, is it your case?
There are many people who have had a very bad time with this situation: they have lost the jobs they had. There have been many singers who have left it: there was nothing to do. The truth is that it has been a very complicated situation for everyone. Many people have had to reinvent themselves. I, luckily, had a cheap mattress to support me. It has affected us in many aspects, but above all emotionally. I was very bad, but everything comes out. And, right now, I am in a moment of great enthusiasm to return.
How have you been able to get ahead in this situation?
I’ve been doing little things. Some private party, such as weddings. Also, when the restrictions allowed it, he played in a coffee shop. You were always afraid, although it seemed that the disease had already passed, but I still had that uncertainty of relapsing again. In the year that the pandemic was decreed, I suspended 204 actions.
How have you received the news of the return of popular festivals to the Islands?
It was quite a surprise for me. There has been an incredible explosion of calls in these weeks. They have called me from many places to start now. It’s been crazy. Every time the phone rings I think they’re calling me for another party. In May and June I have all the weekends taken. They also called me from the carnivals, so we will be there too. Being able to see people dancing without a mask on the street again will be impressive. I am wishing it. We have been all this time wishing that they sew your wings to be able to fly. These weekends it has already been possible to see people dance, something that fills my heart enormously. Seeing people dance gives me life. I just can’t wait for the time or day for that to happen. I am very, very excited, like a child on Twelfth Night.
What was your last performance?
The carnivals of Los Indianos was the last thing I did, since that was when I tested positive and passed the quarantine and everything that came after. I remember that I had planned to go to the Tacoronte carnival, but absolutely everything was suspended. A person like me, who lives from this and is always on the street with people, suffers especially in these situations. Now we are happy and eager to start engines.
Has the wait been too long?
For me the wait has been very anguished and long. I don’t remember being at home on a Friday or Saturday night. It had never happened before the pandemic. My body knows when it’s Friday, because on Fridays and Saturdays I sang. That the body felt when suddenly stopped. Right now what I have is very excited for everything to start.
How does it feel to be able to get back on stage?
When I get on stage I will believe that everything is happening. Although I think that carnivals are key, because of the multitude of people, everyone dancing… It will be incredible to see it there. Nerves, none. Right now everything is illusion and I really want everything to come back so I can get back on stage with the same desire I’ve always done. People have shown it: they really want to dance and that shows every time I go somewhere. When I get out I’m going to do it with all my love and my heart, as I’ve always given myself.
Is there already a date that you can confirm?
I have some requests for Galicia and other parts of the Peninsula, but first I want to be here at home, on my islands, on my land, and enjoy it. And so, little by little, take off until we forget about this. On April 26 I will be in El Sauzal, at the El Calvario festivities. And then to return to everything: carnivals and other parties that come out.
