CalaPop, the Musical Trench of the Costa del Sol: Dates and Lineup

Here you won't find crowds, radio-friendly bands, or a mega venue with three stages. And these absences are, precisely, its greatest virtues. ... CalaPop returns in September to Mijas, staying true to its philosophy: limited capacity at a beachside chiringuito, featuring bands of power-pop, punk, rock & roll, garage, and soul that promise a great live performance. In a summer schedule filled with mainstream concerts, this independent festival—small in size but big in ambition—holds its ground in the musical trenches with up to ten bands on the bill, a dozen DJs, book presentations, and an exhibition.

This year marks the fifteenth edition of CalaPop, a successor to the Fuengirola Pop Weekend. It will take place on Friday, September 19, and Saturday, September 20, at El Charcón Beach (Mijas Costa) as the base of operations, with parallel activities at Café Teatro, Discoteca Maxy, and the Edificio de Colores in Fuengirola. Only 400 people can attend as audience. "We believe that the best live music is enjoyed in concert halls of a reasonable size. So, we try to recreate that ideal cultural space, but outdoors and next to the Mediterranean Sea, at the beach, with the sea breeze in the background," explain the organizers, "unyielding militants of the Sound Resistance on the Costa del Sol."

El Charcón Beach is the base of operations, with a maximum capacity of 400 people

A small, "almost family-like" festival that offers a musical menu "for gourmets of the best independent pop-rock." This year, Friday's lineup includes the country music of Andalusian Ángela Hoodoo—from Granada, based in Malaga—with the power pop of London's The Speedways. In between, the rockabilly of Cadiz's Howlin' Ramblers and the new wave of Lisbon's The Pages. On Saturday, the main event comes from Italy with The Peawees, veteran rockers who have secured a spot in the European rock and roll scene and are returning to CalaPop to celebrate their three decades in music. Before that, the party starts with the mod revival of The Laser Society, followed by the power pop of Pelazo and the garage of Ian Kay (Tickets, 50 euros in advance; 25 euros for Friday and 30 euros for Saturday. Available on calapop.com).

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At the turntables, Dani Peluso, Toni Fontana, Lucas Bon Vivan, Perroloco Lanuit, and Teddy set the mood at El Charcón. And the party continues into the wee hours at Discoteca Maxy with Belle de Jour, Alberto Fuzz, Ian Kay, and Pepe Kubrick.

Beyond the stage, there's also music. CalaPop pays attention to literary novelties linked to the scene from Editorial Sílex, at Café Teatro in Fuengirola. On Friday, Javier Cosmen will present his biography of Ronnie Lane, founder and bassist of bands like Small Faces and Faces (5:00 PM). On Saturday, the story of Los Íberos, a legendary rock band founded in Torremolinos, will be recounted by one of its members, Adolfo Rodríguez, also a member of CRAG (Cánovas, Rodrigo, Adolfo, and Guzmán). He will intersperse his memories with songs—in the company of Luis Martín, guitarist of Los Ronaldos—at the presentation of 'Adolfo. On the Purple Path,' signed by Concha Moya (5:00 PM).

Just before, Álvaro Ortega and Iñaki García will discuss 'Olimpo Rock,' an original sitcom starring the rock stars who have passed away. And, as a grand finale, The Silver Beats will close the literary day at Café Teatro with their tribute to The Beatles.

To complete the agenda, throughout much of September, from the 1st to the 20th, the pop aesthetic will also infiltrate the Edificio de Colores in Fuengirola, with the exhibition 'Alavaroscopio,' ten original illustrations by graphic designer Álvaro Ortega, the author of this edition's poster.