Iván Ferreiro to Perform in Tenerife
Galician musician Iván Ferreiro will perform in Tenerife as part of a festival, revisiting over three decades of his songs. He will take the stage on Saturday, 13th June, at the Tenerife Music Festival.
Returning to Tenerife After Last Summer’s Festival
His last appearance in Tenerife was in La Laguna during the Fiestas del Cristo last summer. Now he returns in a different format, as part of a multi-day festival with a diverse lineup. Does the concert concept change based on the format?
Generally, the format changes depending on how long I am allowed to play. It is more about the time allocated than anything else. I try to make the concerts as similar and complete as possible, but sometimes at festivals, things are more condensed and we have to adapt a bit.
Festivals Offer a Chance to Reach New Audiences
Yes, that is true. On that day, if I’m not mistaken, I will be alongside Camilo, Pablo Alborán, and Ana Mena. It will also give me a chance to see them perform live, as I haven’t had the opportunity to see any of them before. Often, the festivals I play are with different types of artists. This one gives me the chance to present myself to a new audience, and I’m sure we will all enjoy it.
A Celebration of 35 Years on Stage
Indeed, I am celebrating 35 years of my career and trying to put together a repertoire that covers all these years. It’s a lifetime’s worth of music. I’m genuinely excited to perform there.
Curating a Repertoire for Such a Milestone
When celebrating such a long career, how do you curate your repertoire? What weighs more heavily: the songs that have aged well, those you wish to revisit, or those the audience expects?
I’ve tried to select the songs I like the most and that still represent me. There are things from when one starts out young that, now at 55, don’t resonate as much anymore. But then there are others that continue to represent me. I’ve tended to go along those lines. Ultimately, the repertoire kind of comes together on its own. I just leave out things that shouldn’t be sung, but there are many songs that I feel an urge to play again.
Some Songs Must Stay
Indeed, there are songs that have to be included.
Celebration with the Audience
This celebration has been wonderful. We’ve already had several concerts, and the audience’s response has been fantastic. These concerts have been very emotional and beautiful, with a very engaged and enthusiastic crowd. Honestly, I am enjoying it immensely.
Visiting the Canary Islands
In these 35 years, have you visited the Canary Islands much, or would you have liked to come more often?
I would have liked to visit more, but often there are logistical issues that make it challenging to perform in the Islands. There have been tours where I had a lot of equipment and analogue gear, which makes it difficult. I truly wish that the Islands were not closer geographically, but more accessible for performances.
Recognising the Audience
Do you see that the audience is renewing itself from the stage?
Yes, I do see young people. On this tour, I also see many faces from years ago. My eyes seek out those familiar faces I’ve known for a long time. As artists, when we perform, we also get to know our audience, and people emerge in our lives over the years. Yes, there are indeed young people at the concerts.
Familiar Faces Amidst the Crowd
Do you recognise those who have accompanied you all these years at your concerts? Do their faces stick in your memory?
Some faces do stick. It’s true that now, with social media, it’s a bit more complicated, but when we started, there was almost direct contact with fans, especially when there weren’t as many people in the crowd. Many individuals attended our concerts repeatedly and have seen us grow. They were young when we started, just like us, and now they are older and more responsible. We get to know each other and I meet many of them throughout the years.
Nerves Before Performing
After so much time, do you still feel nervous before going on stage?
There are always nerves. That never goes away.
The Need for Nerves
It might be better that those butterflies remain.
That’s what the experts say, that nerves are essential. If they’re not there, something is off.
Plans After the Anniversary Tour
After this anniversary tour, are you considering a break to compose again, or do you already have plans?
I haven’t made any plans, to be honest. I don’t have any concrete plans, but I guess the next step will be to make and record another album, which is what I’ve always done in my life. It’s always been like this. I do tours and then I make albums. That’s my way of life.
Reflection as a New Beginning
Yes, this tour serves to assess where we are, where we want to go, and to understand many things. Reflection is essential in this job. It’s not a job you can do without it; otherwise, you would be lost.
What Do You Want the Tenerife Audience to Take Away?
I’d like the audience in Tenerife to take away a beautiful, emotional concert and enjoy the songs that are part of so many years of life. I’m really looking forward to performing in Tenerife and sharing this celebration with the local audience.
