From 3 to 5 September, Granada will transform some of its most iconic historic spaces into stages for a new generation of musicians. The first edition of Neorama, a festival dedicated to emerging talent from across Spain, will feature 40 concerts and 500 young participants, including 325 musicians and artists.
Organised by the Confederation of Youth Musical Societies of Spain (JME) to mark its 75th anniversary, Neorama aims to bridge the gap between musical training and professional careers. The organisers describe it as the first touring, nationwide festival devoted exclusively to up-and-coming artists.
A diverse programme in historic venues
The festival will not be confined to a single genre. The line-up spans flamenco, rock, jazz, classical, early and symphonic music, electronic, indie, punk, pop, and folk, with performers coming from different parts of the country. Concerts will take place in venues such as the Generalife Theatre, the Manuel de Falla Auditorium, the Carmen de los Mártires, the Rodríguez-Acosta Foundation, the Plaza de los Aljibes, and the courtyard of the City Hall.
At the launch, Andalusia's regional culture minister, Patricia del Pozo, said: "For three days Granada will be buzzing with music of every kind." She stressed that the young performers will appear in venues "of great historic and artistic value" and that the event aims to serve as "a springboard towards their professional careers".
Eleven projects from across Spain
Among the 11 emerging artists and ensembles selected are Musikene Big Band from the Basque Country, urban music artist Julia Cry from Murcia, Liceu BLAM Collective from Catalonia, Mühlfeld Ensemble from Andalusia, Perímetro from Melilla, Alana from Galicia, Blung from Ceuta, Naked Eva from Castile and León, and Pitxorines from the Balearic Islands. Each project will give two performances and can compete for several awards.
The festival is designed not just as a series of concerts but as a platform to connect young musicians with institutions, festivals, and industry professionals. As the organisers put it, the goal is to create "a territorial meeting point that connects career paths with young people taking the lead".
Highlights at the Alhambra
One of the key moments will be the opening night at the Generalife Theatre, where the JM World Orchestra will perform alongside the Granada Opera Chorus under conductor David Fernández Caravaca. The programme includes Manuel de Falla's 'Noches en los jardines de España' with pianist Susana Gómez, marking the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth.
The Orquesta Joven de Andalucía (OJA) will also have a strong presence, with five chamber concerts featuring 17 of its members. They will perform works by Mozart, Brahms, Dvořák, Ravel, Turina, Toldrà, and Elizabeth Maconchy in venues including the Corral del Carbón, the Carmen de los Porcel, the Carmen de los Mártires, the Rodríguez-Acosta Foundation, and Torres Bermejas.
The festival closes on 5 September at the Generalife Theatre with SuperArte, a show that brings together musicians from the Joven Orquesta Sinfónica de Granada and artists with disabilities from the SIFU Foundation, under the direction of Oriol Saña. Inclusion and accessibility are central pillars of the project, and SuperArte is regarded as the largest inclusive artistic event in Europe.
Beyond the concerts
Neorama also includes workshops and debates on topics such as professionalisation, equality, artificial intelligence, innovation, accessibility, education, entrepreneurship, and the Artist's Statute. Sessions will explore opportunities for the circulation of young talent, the role of women in music, and the impact of AI on the sector. All activities are free, but tickets must be reserved in advance due to capacity limits.
With this first edition, Neorama hopes to establish itself as a springboard for musicians taking their first professional steps, offering them new audiences, industry connections, and collaborations with peers from across Spain. As the organisers summarise, the aim is to create a space where young talent can lead and thrive.
