Las Migas incorporate surprising but unmistakable Latin American cadences into tight vocal harmonies framed by Spanish folk–inspired violin and guitar, and occasionally punctuate their songs with full-throated flamenco howls. The versatile Barcelona collective was founded in 2004 by students of the city’s prestigious Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya in order to explore music that stems from flamenco. Six albums—including this year’s Latin Grammy–nominated Rumberas—and several lineup changes later, the group continues to push the boundaries of the style, often blending elements of pop and hip-hop with traditional folk sounds. Founder and sole remaining original member Marta Robles has steered the group through myriad changes, keeping their vision and spirit front and center in songs that center a woman’s perspective.
On Rumberas, Robles, Carolina “La Chispa” Fernández, Laura Pacios, and Alicia Grillo mingle their roots from the Cataluña, Extremadura, La Mancha, and Galicia regions while exploring Cuban rumba’s influence on Spanish flamenco and folk music. Las Migas’ joyful odes to liberation and take-no-prisoners approach have drawn them an international audience, and in recent years, have made them icons of Spanish and Latin American LGBTQ+ communities. As they sing on their 2022 single “La Cantaora” (“The Singer”), featuring María Peláe (one of the few openly lesbian Spanish flamenco artists): “My song doesn’t seek redemption, nor to be submissive / Nor does it want my heart to ask for permission.”
Las Migas Fri 11/15, 7 PM, Myron R. Szold Music & Dance Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln, $45, $43 members, all ages