Music and festivals fill Barcelona when the summer comes. The action usually takes place outdoors and at night, when the heat is not that intense and you feel like going out and enjoying an artist "al fresco".
One of the most popular festivals, which has become an important reference in a short time, is the Festival Jardins de Pedralbes. It focuses on music and its eclectic universe, ranging from opera and classical music to rock. With only five years of life and a clear international vocation, this festival already attracted artists such as Lana del Rey, Josep Carreras, Earth Wind & Fire, Tom Jones, Belle & Sebastian, Rufus Wainwright, The Beach Boys, Mika, Bob Dylan, Pet Shop Boys, Patti Smith, Joan Bez and Tony Bennett to the city.
A great location
The festival takes place in the Gardens of the Royal Palace of Pedralbes (in the area of Les Corts). This palace has its origins in a farmhouse of the XVII century and it was declared well of cultural interest. It is home of the Museum of the Ceramics, Decorative Arts and Textile and Clothing; all of them are part of the Disseny Hub of the Catalan capital. The palace was renovated at the time by Antoni Gaudí. They commissioned the gardens to Gaudí as well, where he built fountains and pergolas, and you can still find some of his work there The current design was made by Nicolau Maria Rubio in 1927. Amongst pines, palms, cypresses and magnolias you can find statues, precious benches and various decorative elements. They all create an exceptional space to enjoy an outdoor performance.
Official website of the Jardins de Pedralbes Festival
A grand program
This edition's line-up covers different musical genres. Indie music, pop-rock, folk, soul and even samba or flamenco, will be heard and mostly enjoyed during the festival. The poster speaks for itself: Angus & Julia Stone, Fleet Foxes, Elvis Costello, Jessie J., Emeli Sandé, Tom Jones, Leon Bridges or Seu Jorge are some of the itnernational guests. Niña Pastori, Miguel Poveda and the dancer Sara Baras will be some of the Spanish artists performing. This selection means there will always be a performance for every musical taste.
The festival also has what they call Gastronomía con Sofía, that will provide high quality food to enjoy the local gastronomy in the park. But if you want to eat something in a more chilled area, you can go to the Village area before or after any concert.
More than music
In addition to all the musical performances, the Festival organizes the Day of Music for families (July 1). It is the fifht year the festival does this parallel event focused on offering family entertainment, with fun acitivities that also promote history, culture and music.
How to get there and where to stay
The venue has a parking area at the UPC Campus Nord (Girona 29), with 30 minutes of free parking by showing the festival ticket. The parking lot at the UB Campus (Martí i Franquès) is free of charge. There is a metro stop at Palau Real (Line 3, green color) and there are numerous buses, trams and biking services that have stops in that area. The Grand Hotel Central is the perfect accommodation in order to explore the city during the festival days (about 25 minutes by public transport or taxi or an hour's walk up Diagonal). There is nothing like cooling off in its infinity pool, overlooking the city, while enjoying a gin & tonic before chanting the songs of your fauvorite artists in Pedralbes.
