55 entrants for the 5th Sons de la Mediterrània Competition

The fifth Sons de la Mediterrània Competition, a joint event organised by Grup Editorial Enderrock with Fira Mediterrània of Manresa and Centre Artesà Tradicionàrius de Gràcia, has attracted a total of 52 entrants. The competition is open to groups or soloists who play folk music or music with Mediterranean roots, either with lyrics in Catalan or instrumental music; the only condition is that priority will be given to entries making a contribution to the revival of musicians performing music with Mediterranean roots, especially new and emerging artists.

The Finals at 15^th Fira Mediterrània of Manresa

The jury will bring together a select group of music professionals and specialists in the city of Manresa, where the final round will be held to coincide with the fifteenth edition of Fira Mediterrània. The jury will be made up of staff from the magazine Sons de la Mediterrània, Centre Artesà Tradicionàrius de Gràcia, Fira Mediterrània of Manresa, Festacarrer d’Ondara (Valencia), iCat fm and La Sonora (TVC).

For the first time, finalist groups will be featured in the Fira professional catalogue, programme and website. The final decision will be announced at Fira Mediterrània.

The prize

The winning group will receive a €3,000 advertising campaign from the magazine Sons de la Mediterrània and iCat FM radio station; the chance to record an album plus a record company contract; promotion in the magazine Sons de la Mediterrània and a 2013 tour with five shows, taking in the Tradicionàrius Festival, the 16^th Fira Mediterrània of Manresa, Circuit Folc, Dansàneu / Escola de Dansa i Música de Esterri d’Àneu 2013, Escola de la Festa de Llívia 2013 and Festcarrer d’Ondara 2013. The shows performed by the prize winners will be covered by travel expenses and backline equipment.

Riu, the winner of the 2011 edition of Concurs Sons, is a group from Baix Llobregat that blends a traditional Catalan repertoire against a background of Celtic music.  Tazzuff from Barcelona won the 2010 edition with their folk music influenced by  other genres such as jazz, flamenco and rumba combined with an innovative and experimental sound. The Amansalva quartet with musicians from Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, won the 2009 edition with their traditional repertoire from across Catalonia. In 2008, Grollers de Sa Factoria from Mallorca won first prize with their bold combination of traditional and modern instruments and popular songs, all put together in their very own individual style.