The end of September in Barcelona always smells of gunpowder, of the transition from summer to fall, and of that warm, festive melancholy that the Mercè leaves us with. But this year, the grand farewell to the city’s festivities will have a different flavor, with the sea breeze in the background and a soundtrack chosen by Josep Montero, the charismatic leader of the Osona-based band Oques Grasses.
The highly anticipated Piromusical will light up the sky next Sunday, September 27. As a one-time exception, due to construction work currently underway at the Fira de Barcelona in Montjuïc, the sound-and-light show will move from its usual location to Nova Icària Beach, while the fireworks will be launched directly from the Bogatell breakwater.
Josep Montero’s Musical Secret
The exact songs that will accompany the fireworks are, for now, the festival’s best-kept secret. Although the playlist remains under wraps, Montero himself has given a hint of what to expect: a repertoire he describes as “an eclectic selection, open to diverse styles and sensibilities, with a prominent presence of music in Catalan.”
This will be the fourth consecutive year that a guest artist or organization has taken on the challenge of setting the Barcelona sky to music. The idea of the “signature Piromusical” was born in 2023, when the Sónar festival took the reins of the show to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Since then, the torch has been passed to top-tier artists: Rosalía set the pace two years ago, while last year the Estopa brothers got the city buzzing.
For Josep Montero and his band, this festive commission comes at a time of intense emotions. The Piromusical will serve as a brilliantappetizer just a few days before Oques Grasses faces the grand finale of its career: its four highly anticipated farewell concerts. The concerts, which are expected to draw a total of about 220,000 attendees, will take place at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys from October 5 to 10. A fitting grand finale before saying goodbye.
