Celtas Cortos Reflect on Industry Pressures, Political Disengagement & Upcoming 40th Anniversary Tour
Madrid, Spain – Veteran Spanish folk-rock band Celtas Cortos, known for performing around 150 concerts annually, have spoken candidly about the pressures of the modern music industry, a perceived lack of political engagement amongst musicians, and the challenges of balancing artistic integrity with commercial realities. The band members - Jesús, alberto, and Goyo – discussed these issues in a recent interview with ICON, coinciding with the November 21st release of their commemorative album 40 años contando cuentos (40 Years Telling Stories).
Jesús expressed concern over a growing disconnect between music and social change, stating, “Music has stopped serving as a socially transformative element, and I don’t know when that bond was broken.” He noted a reluctance within the industry to take political stances,attributing it to “a fear of what social networks may say,of the consequences that you may suffer from this,” or simply “more anodyne generations.” He also voiced alarm at a perceived shift towards the extreme right among young people, calling it “a lack of judgment that has not been well managed.”
The band acknowledged the complexities of working with large corporations like Live Nation, their current tour promoter. Alberto described navigating such situations as “a passing train…you don’t know what destination you are really going to reach, but you have the feeling that you have to take it.” Goyo added that being backed by live Nation “overshadows everything,” but also provides a platform for greater visibility. He conceded the inherent contradictions of maintaining consistent ideals while participating in a consumer-driven system, stating, “if you want to be consistent with all your ideas, you probably cannot buy a car, a telephone, or a certain brand of clothing.”
Despite these concerns, Celtas Cortos are committed to accessibility for their fans, with tickets for the upcoming tour priced at 38 euros (42 euros with management fees).
The band also alluded to past experiences with the demanding pace of their touring schedule, recalling “moments of suffocation” and feeling overwhelmed. “We called home and said: I can’t take it anymore,” they shared.
Tour dates are available on the band’s official website: https://celtascortos.com/conciertos/. The 40 años contando cuentos album can be purchased here: https://tiendawarnermusic.es/products/celtas-cortos-40-anos-contando-cuentos-cd-postal-firmada?srsltid=AfmBOopBi00CE5GMI22kyoP-pLhB7ik9pnXUYKNv80Opo8V9YVZg2cVe.
