Lluís Gavaldà: "If you don't listen to music in Catalan, it's a personal problem"

PalmaThe Felanitx Tribut Fest has become one of the summer's musical events, and one of the highlights of this cultural offering arrives on May 29 with the concert by Els Pets. As benchmarks of Catalan pop-rock, they arrive at the festival with a repertoire that spans generations. In a conversation with ARA Balears, the band's singer, Lluís Gavaldà, reflects on the group's 40-year career, their connection with the Balearic audience, and the changes in the music industry.

— After so many years of touring with Els Pets, how do you feel about continuing on stage?

— For us, it is essential that a tour is a tour. In fact, from the beginning, one of the places where we have always felt at home has been the Balearic Islands. This has a lot of merit, especially because at the beginning it was not easy and people helped us a lot to grow as artists. Now, with this 40th anniversary, we live it with great emotion and responsibility.

— You are one of the most consolidated groups on the Catalan music scene. How do you value such a long career?

— When you look back you see that there has been a very strong connection with people. They have welcomed us into their lives and that is very special. It is a celebration, 40 years do not happen often, and even less so in music. Seeing how songs are part of the lives of several generations excites us a lot.

— What is your relationship with the public at this stage?

— Right now we live concerts with the awareness that they are unique and unrepeatable. We don't know how much longer this will last, so we try to enjoy each concert as if it were the last.

— Your repertoire is already part of the musical memory of several generations. How do you experience it?

— We feel like privileged spectators. From the stage we see how people get emotional, laugh, and sing. It is very powerful to see how the songs are no longer just ours, but also the people's.

— How do you prepare a concert for a tour like this?

— The idea is to make a mix between the big hits and songs that we haven't played for many years. We want there to be surprises, but also for people to find what they expect.

— Your repertoire combines classics and recent songs. How do you balance this live?

— We try to make it a journey through our entire career, with very well-known songs and others that we haven't played in a long time.

— How have you experienced the evolution of the music industry with digital platforms?

— It has changed completely. Before there was income from recorded music, but now practically everything comes from live performances. Platforms pay very little and this has completely changed the model. It's a bit of a surreal situation.

— Do you consider that music in Catalan is going through a good time?

— Yes, it has excellent health. There is a lot of diversity: pop, rock, urban, traditional… If you don't listen to music in Catalan, it's no longer a musical problem, but a personal one.

— What do you remember about the beginnings of Catalan rock?

— We don't consider ourselves pioneers, but we were part of a moment when there was a very massive public response. This helped to normalize music in Catalan.

— What differentiates the audience in Mallorca from other places?

— We come to Mallorca less often, and that makes each concert more special. When you experience this only once or twice a year, the bond becomes more intense. We feel very much at home.

— What continues to motivate you after 40 years?

— The audience is the answer to everything. We try to return that love in the form of concerts that help disconnect from daily life and uncertainty. And above all, continue enjoying while it lasts.