Goya’s musical performances make it difficult to organize a large-scale gala, which surprisingly managed to last 20 minutes this year. It’s not an easy task, just choosing names, always a mixture of talented youngsters and famous figures. The average viewer is a classic and wonders if these young people are from Operation Triunfo or where they came from. Not so this year.
Together with the singer Rigoberta Bandini as mistress of ceremonies, the gala evening brought together the Catalan artist Bad Gyal, representative ballroom and the rule; Ana Mena and Belén Aguilera, two princesses of the most international pop; Dani Fernández, with rock-pop that ya llena stadios; Guille Milkyway, mastermind of La Casa Azul; and singers Ángeles Toledano and Alba Molina after Lola and Manuel, whose album ‘Nuevo día’ was released in December 2025 in the middle of the year. What at the beginning had as its goal a festive return to pop, which was overshadowed by Catalan rumba and especially flamenco.
Last year Miguel Ríos and Amaral performed an emotional showdown to the rhythm of ‘Bienvenidos’, this year Rigoberta Bandini and Luis Tosar, both presenters of the gala, did not overcome the same effect with ‘Hoy it can be a great day’, Serrat, whose presence (so unlikely) hubiese saved the night.
Ángeles Toledano during her performance at Goya. Photo: EFE / Alberto Estevez.
In turn, it was performed by American singers Ángeles Toledano and Alba Molina, who together with the children’s choir Orfeó Català and an orchestra with a light rock toneyou will seede Lole y Manuel, en small tablao in the script section. Toledano, one of the contemporary flamenco phenomena, demonstrated his vocal power and his musical arrangements. Molina, the daughter of the famous duo, gave her fathers a heartfelt and profound homecoming.
Another surprise of the evening was the performance of Bad Gyal, who performed at Goya with great expectations. How could Goya’s classic always be ready for stardom? automatic tuning? A fun and lively performance with the band Arrels de Gràcia, leaders of Catalan rumba and flamenco, who celebrated the multiculturalism of the local city, football and modern MACBA in drag queens. For fans of the Catalan singer, who are many, it was definitely a pleasure to see her (more than once) and enjoy it as much as the scenery in her beloved Barcelona.
From “La rumba de Barcelona” to the pop version of “La bámbola” by singer Malagueña Ana Mena, ancient child prodigy and today’s pop star, performed extensively in Spain and Italy during the San Remo Festival. Subida and plan y acompañada by Guille Milkyway of La Casa Azul, featured vocally flawless version on the subject of Patty Bravo, but for those who don’t stop getting emotional, I’ll give you a quiz on this daring mejunje pop-electronic futurist.
Tampoco consiguieron mover Belén Aguilera y Dani Fernández version of the amazing if you want de Robe Iniesta, leader of Extremodura, as homenaje during el In memoriamwith her on the floor and after entering. A very good gesture to the singer who failed in December 2025 but ended up being unproven and cold because of her over-sweetness and the tone she put on. The red robe version is impossible.
From you, Rigoberta Bandini, who has spent the past year returning home Love de Massiel also claimed his dual responsibilities as host of the gala this year, ending the show with neither Serrato nor him. De tot corby Mallorcan Tomeu Pena. I say this, it is very difficult to tell from the performances and if there is another Catalan talent, like Sílvia Pérez Cruz, who took Goya for best original song, or Maria Arnal.
The best year this year was again the choice of topics. The Academy follows by knowing what songs connect with the audience, even if the performance wasn’t always top notch.
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