The Grasshopper will play its last concert in Mallorca: "We wanted everything to be a beautiful story until the end"

PalmLa Fúmiga will put an end to its career in October 2026 with the final concerts, on October 17 in Barcelona and October 24 in Valencia. In Mallorca, those from Alzira will say goodbye earlier, on May 29 as part of the Tribufest festival, in Felanitx. The band, born in Alzira in 2012, is retiring after more than a decade in which it has traveled hundreds of stages, filled dozens of venues, and garnered millions of plays on digital platforms. From its origins linked to the Societat Musical d’Alzira, La Fúmiga has brought the energy of street bands and orchestras to the stage, fused with urban and festive sounds. We speak with its vocalist, Artur Martínez.

¿On May 29 you are performing in Felanitx. ¿Will it be your last concert in Mallorca?

— Yes, we needed to say goodbye to Mallorca. Since the first album, we have always come at least once. We would have liked to be there more often, but sometimes the context made it complicated. When the Tribu Fest of Felanitx appeared, it seemed like the perfect opportunity: it's a very beautiful proposal and we are very excited to be able to say goodbye and thank the public from here.

Why have they decided to end the project?

— It is a decision that has been a long time coming. Although the group is in a very good moment, above all we are friends, and that has weighed more than anything else. Years ago we decided to set a kind of expiration date so we could return to our lives and avoid burnout. We wanted everything to be a beautiful story, without reaching physical or mental fatigue.

Does it also have to do with the relationship you have with music as a job?

— Yes. It has always commanded our respect to turn music into our sole profession. We juggled the band with other jobs for years. It was tough, but it gave us a lot of freedom and peace of mind, because we knew we were making music because we wanted to, not out of necessity.

¿What feeling do you have after more than a decade on stage?

— We could never have imagined it. We just wanted to be a brass band, and everything that has come since has been a surprise. We've been improvising, and often, we haven't had time to process what was happening to us. This farewell tour is allowing us to experience it more calmly, and we are happy, excited, and also a little nostalgic.

Would you say that everyone is capable of recording an album or having a band?

— We are not particularly talented or the best musicians or lyricists. But we have connected with people through humility, constant work, and also a bit of luck. We came from the conservatory and street music, and we had never written a song when we started. That's why we believe so: if we could do it, anyone who dedicates love, time, and perseverance can also try.

How have you planned this farewell?

— We've made a sort of wish list with places that are important to us. We've wanted to reduce concerts and spread them out better, so that each date makes sense. Mallorca had to be there, because we've always had a special connection.

Would you say your music has evolved since the beginning?

— Totally. When we started we had never written a song; we came from street music, from doing covers and arrangements. The process has been very natural and organic. We have been learning little by little and finding our style.

Your songs combine party and emotion. How do you work this balance?

— It is quite our vital balance. We come from popular culture, from plaza music, and this is noticeable. But we also have experiences and stories that end up in songs. We like reflections to arrive while people are dancing, because perhaps that way they connect more.

What influences have marked you?

— Especially the music made in the Valencian Country. Groups like Obrint Pas or Txarango have been very important to us. When someone tells us that we remind them of them, it is one of the best compliments they can give us.

Have you encountered any obstacles with government-dependent institutions?

— We have lived a privileged situation because we have always had spaces to play, and if we haven't done it in one place, we have done it in another. I would say it has not affected us in terms of programming, but we have noticed it with other fellow musicians regarding many spaces that have disappeared, and this makes bands have fewer opportunities, which leads to many groups being made invisible.

What role does live performance play in your identity as a group?

— It has absolute importance, because it is the reason why we make music. In fact, our creative process is always thinking about live performance. We make music to enjoy it live.

At what point would you say Catalan music is at? Is there a succession?

— On a creative level, yes, and more than enough. There are many proposals and the public can choose. The doubt is whether there will be a continuation in programming: if institutions and city councils will continue to bet on it. Depending on who governs, there may be problems.

What would you tell to bands that are starting and have doubts about singing in Spanish?

— Above all, it must be born out of absolute normality. In our case, it would have been impossible to do it in Spanish, because we communicate in Catalan. The important thing is to have a good time and also to work to make it possible, of course. In fact, we didn't even think about it because it all happened so naturally, we hadn't even planned to write lyrics, just to play as we had always done as a brass band. That has also made it more beautiful, because everything together has been like a gift and now, the fact of letting it go doesn't hurt so much, as if it's something you've always wanted.