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

PalmThe Tribu Fest in Felanitx has become one of the musical events of the summer, and one of the highlights of this cultural offering arrives next May 29 with the concert by Els Pets. As references of Catalan pop-rock, they arrive at the festival with a repertoire that is part of various 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 career with Els Pets, how do you experience continuing on stage?

— For us, it is essential that a tour be 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 are experiencing it with great emotion and responsibility.

— You are one of the most established bands on the Catalan music scene. How do you assess this 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 this is very special. It's a celebration, 40 years don't happen often, and even less in music. Seeing how songs become part of the lives of different generations excites us a lot.

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

— Right now we experience 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 diverse generations. How do you experience it?

— We feel like privileged spectators. From the stage we see how people get excited, laugh, and sing. It's 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 in many years. We want there to be surprise, but also for people to find what they expect.

— Their repertoire combines classics and recent songs. How do you balance that live?

— We tried to make it a journey through our entire career, with very well-known songs and others that we hadn'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 were revenues from recorded music, but now practically everything comes from live performances. The platforms pay very little and this has completely changed the model. It's a bit of a surreal situation.

— Do you think 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 rock in Catalan?

— 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 public in Mallorca from other places?

— In Mallorca we come 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 at home.

— What keeps you motivated after 40 years?

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