Homage to Joan Roca, bassist of Antònia Font: "A friend, a generous companion and a brother"

PalmThe premature death of Joan Roca, bassist and founding member of Antònia Font, has caused a tsunami of expressions of affection and love among Catalan music lovers. His bandmates, institutional representatives, and numerous people connected to the world of culture and music have wanted to pay tribute to the musician from Son Sardina.

His bandmates from Antònia Font have remembered him as "a friend, a generous colleague, and a brother". In a message posted on Instagram, the group admitted that "it is difficult to find the words" to express the pain of their loss. "He has accompanied us for 25 years, 9 albums, and hundreds of concerts. He leaves an irreparable and irreplaceable void," they wrote.

The musicians have also highlighted that with Roca they have shared "the best moments" of their lives, an experience that, they assure, "never disappears". Furthermore, they have "heartily" thanked the numerous displays of affection received. "Joan, thank you for all these years. We will miss you and we love you, now and always", concludes the message, illustrated with a photograph of the group members toasting together.

Beyond Antònia Font, Joan Roca also developed an intense career in other projects, such as Geometrical Sardine, Dinamo, U Jazz, Quartet, and Ensemble ACA. The Pollença Town Hall has highlighted his career as a bassist and double bassist and has recalled the numerous performances he offered there, both with Antònia Font – as part of Sons de Nit in July 2024 – and with Geometrical Sardine and other groups from the Pollença Musicians Association. The Council has expressed its condolences to the family and friends.

The music promoter Ana Espina also dedicated an emotional farewell to him: "Joan: my neighbor, my friend... one of those people you meet and, almost without realizing it, love". She assured that, just as with the bass he "supported" the songs without seeking prominence, he also supported people with his "serene, warm, and so his own" way of being. She also recalled his smile, which she defined as "a way of being in the world." "He winks at you, envelops you, hugs you, and it ends up appearing on your own face too," she said.

The world of festivals has also joined the tributes. Primavera Sound recalled the reunion concert of Antònia Font at the 2022 edition, the publication of Un minut estroboscòpica with Primavera Labels and the group's various performances at the festival over the years. "He was, like the rest of the group, one of the Primavera family," he stated.

Cruïlla Festival also lamented his death and defined Roca as "an essential figure for understanding the sound, rhythm, and magic of a band that has marked generations." "How lucky we were to enjoy his talent on our stages," they remarked.

The expressions of affection have transcended the musical sphere and have also come from his more personal environment, which was linked to the world of nature. The Cultidelta profile, dedicated to the production of native Mediterranean plants, has shared an emotional message in which he recalls long conversations with Roca and defines him as "a friend in capital letters." He also explains that he was his daughter's idol and ends the farewell with a promise: "When we meet again, we will continue talking about so many things that were left pending this Monday."

The world of politics has also expressed its condolences. The President of the Government, Marga Prohens, thanked the musician for making "generations of Majorcans sing, dance, laugh, and dream." For her part, the President of Congress, Francina Armengol, described the news as "terrible" and assured that Roca was "an exceptional artist and a great person," whose music "is part of the soundtrack of many lives and also of the cultural identity of the Islands."

Other political representatives, such as Rosario Sánchez, Amanda Fernández, and Vicenç Vidal, have also wanted to bid farewell to the musician. Sánchez defined him as "an essential piece of Antònia Font and of the music made in Mallorca"; Fernández lamented "very sad news for the music and culture of Mallorca"; and Vidal highlighted that Roca was "a great person and a total artist."