Not long ago, the Palau Sant Jordi seemed like a stage only reserved for the greatest of the music scene. Since its inauguration in 1990, the Olympic pavilion has been an almost obligatory stop for the biggest national and international names, while those less in the media seemed to have to content themselves with trying to fill the old Palau d’Esports on Lleida street or the Sant Jordi Club , with considerably lower capacities.
But something has changed. There are more and more local artists and bands – to define it in some way – whose good work allows them to dare with a whole Sant Jordi and fill it to the brim. Sopa de Cabra did it in 2011 and more recently in November 2022. Shortly after, in December, it was the turn of the Valencians Zoo. And last year, Oques Grasses even broke the venue’s attendance record and Companyia Elèctrica Dharma celebrated its 50-year career with a massive concert. And this 2024 was not going to be an exception.
Last night, Joan Dausà from San Feliu was in charge of proving it. More than a decade ago, he released his first album, Jo mai mai, whose homonymous song became a hit with an unforgettable love story between the artist himself and Judit, and with which many still feel identified. Then came more albums and tours, but the Jo mai mai had become essential, also thanks to the film Barcelona, summer night. And what better than a tour to commemorate 10 years of such a special work and close it with a concert at Sant Jordi, called The great madnesswith 16,400 gorges.
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The musician conquered the room with a review of his discography and the presence of guests
As if time were money, the concert started with little delay. Contributing his most intimate side, although accompanied by four musicians, Dausà appeared and sat at his inseparable piano on a stage covered by a large curtain to start the recital with Now that we are giants, which already caused the artist’s first tears. And now with the protagonists visible, the show continued with It fills the lungs with life, another song from their latest works and which showed that it was not going to be a nostalgic night. On the contrary.
However the Jo mai mai I had to be present, also off to a good start. Therefore, after thanking and joking that those present were going to enjoy “a mix between Oques Grasses and Sergio Dalma”, “the first of the first” arrived: Call me. And Sant Jordi, conquered.
Once again, the piano was inseparable for Joan Dausà
Dausà decided to turn the venue into a time machine in which he rescued issues from both that pre-pandemic time in which worries seemed less like castawayswhich turned the room into a sea of lights, like that 2021 in which, while they told us that culture was not safe and mass concerts seemed distant, published we have everything in which they are found Buenos Aires y Pinadedicated to his daughters.
Dausà himself was aware that the concert was being very melancholic, so he decided to change “the register” with Take me home, country roadsa song more than covered by John Denver, and Everything will be fine. And then the magic was done: with the singer-songwriter and his guitarist, Florenci Ferrer, at the top of the stage, arrived Jo mai maiwith a Sant Jordi that sang of those impossible loves that leave a deeper mark than the true ones.
In fact, the phrase “who is more” was the one that was heard the most throughout the evening. Controlling the tempos and the scene like no one else – his role as an actor could be noted -, the Catalan made the audience participate throughout the show and explained that his objective was to have two spectators who If they didn’t know and like each other, they would at least have a beer. And they did it: who knows if Toni and Núria, who ended up kissing at the end of the concert, would end up being the protagonists of another Dausà ballad.
The recital continued and the beats began to rise with We have everything and, as is usual in these shows, with the presence of special guests. The first to appear was Julieta, “who is 20 years younger,” to perform a duet Another way to liveEstrella Damm’s soundtrack in 2019 and with which Dausà joked: “They told me they wanted Catalunya to cry.”
The artist asked on several occasions for the lights to be turned on so he could contemplate the immensity of the Palau Sant Jordi
A new reference to Jo mai mai She arrived with Judit, a song that is the continuation of the story ten years later and with which she seemed to close the concert, and with her in the audience to end up on stage. However, Dausà had some more surprises.
The musician showed his willingness to repeat the concert outside Catalonia
The encore turn began with Falling didn’t hurtwith the company of Santi Balmes, and was followed by the recently released For us and those aboveto close more than two hours of recital with those celebrated stay like that y The great euphoria and again, Jo mai maiwith the artist’s desire to put on a great show again, but outside of Catalonia.
Those present left the room more than satisfied. And if his massive concert meant one thing, it is that, if Dausà ever sits at a table next to the greatest and they ask themselves “I have never won at the Palau Sant Jordi” (I have never ever triumphed at the Palau Sant Jordi), he will be able to smile, raise his glass with satisfaction and drink like one of them. And Judit, proud.
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