Music will fill the streets for the feast of St Sebastian

A total of 24 groups and soloists will perform in seven squares in the centre of Palma on the night of January 19, the eve of the feast of St Sebastian, the city's patron saint. The biggest attraction will be the group Jarabe de Palo, who have had a string of number one hits in Spain. Carme Feliu, the deputy mayor in charge of culture, described the programme as “attractive.” It starts tomorrow at 11am with a parade of giants and mythological creatures from the Plaza Olivar to the city hall in Plaza Cort, where Miquela Lladó, the singer with the group Música Nostra, will read the official proclamation of the fiestas. The fiestas, which include sports events, the presentation of the City of Palma prizes for novels, poetry and art, will continue until January 27. Other highlights include a concert by Rosario Flores in the Plaza Mayor at 9pm on the 20th, during which she will launch her latest album. There will also be a festival of techno music in Ses Voltes (Parc de la Mar) on the 26th. But the big night is the 19th, when the council hopes to entice more than 200'000 people out into the streets to hear the varied music on offer. Feliu said that as in previous years, the council would try to ensure that the top of the bill in each category did not perform at the same time, although she admitted this was no easy task. Traditional music will be provided by Tralai, Balladors, Al-Mayurqa and Xaloc in the Plaza Santa Eulalia, while Bertin Osborne, who hosts a popular TV talent show, Horris Kamoi and Alpresa will be at the Plaza Cort. Flamenco fans will go to the Plaza Sant Francesc to hear El Fary, Cabales, Pasión Flamenca 5 and Isabel de Palma, and in complete contrast, the sounds of alternative rock by La Gran Orquesta Republicana, Joan Auer, Mineral Water and the Diablo en el Ojo will fill the Plaza Juan Carlos I. The biggest square, the Plaza Mayor, has been reserved for Jarabe de Palo, Angel Frau and La Cabra Mecánica. Jazz lovers can hear the Five O'Clock band in the Plaza de Salvador Coll, where there will also be blues provided by the Blues Devils. Finally, Catalan rock can be heard in the Plaza Olivar with Fora des Sembrat, Ocults and Mesclats.