Estrellas De Buena Vista

On Sunday 4 January, Valencia was briefly relocated several thousand kilometres south, as Estrellas de Buena Vista transformed the Auditorio Roig Arena into a living, breathing slice of Havana. This wasn’t just a concert — it was a celebration of Cuban musical history, delivered with elegance, warmth and an infectious sense of joy that rolled through the audience like a Caribbean breeze. Part of their “Live in Havana – Tour 2026”, the night felt less like a formal performance and more like an open invitation into a tradition that refuses to age, fade or be archived.

Estrellas de Buena Vista are direct heirs to one of the most important cultural movements of the late 20th century: the Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon. Emerging in the 1990s, Buena Vista Social Club reintroduced the world to Cuba’s golden-era musicians — artists who had spent decades perfecting son, bolero, mambo and guajira away from international attention.

While Buena Vista Social Club as an original entity belongs to history, Estrellas de Buena Vista keep that spirit vividly alive. Their lineup features veteran Cuban musicians and singers deeply connected to that tradition, many of whom have performed on the world’s most prestigious stages while remaining faithful to the roots of Havana’s musical neighbourhoods. This is not nostalgia tourism — it’s living heritage.

From the opening notes, the Roig Arena was wrapped in warmth. Trumpets shimmered, the upright bass walked with confidence, guitars danced between rhythm and melody, and the percussion — rich, layered and effortlessly precise — carried everything forward with irresistible momentum. The vocal performances were a particular highlight. Every singer brought personality and emotional weight, whether delivering tender boleros, call-and-response son classics or joyful, rhythm-driven numbers that had much of the audience moving in their seats — and later, on their feet.

What made the night special wasn’t just technical brilliance (which was abundant), but the generosity of the performance. Smiles were exchanged between musicians, solos were shared rather than showboated, and the sense of ensemble — of collective storytelling — was constant.

Seeing Estrellas de Buena Vista live is to witness decades of experience distilled into relaxed confidence. These musicians don’t rush, don’t strain, and don’t compete — they converse through music. Every trumpet phrase, piano flourish and vocal harmony feels part of a long, ongoing dialogue that began in Havana dance halls generations ago and continues wherever this band performs. The visual presentation reinforced that sense of timelessness: classic attire, warm lighting, and an atmosphere that evoked old Havana without ever feeling staged or artificial.

The Auditorio Roig Arena, increasingly establishing itself as one of Valencia’s key cultural venues, proved a perfect setting for this kind of performance. Its acoustics allowed the music to breathe, giving space to subtle dynamics as well as full, joyful crescendos. The audience — diverse in age and background — responded with sustained applause, standing ovations and visible emotional connection.

Estrellas de Buena Vista delivered exactly what their name promises: stars of good sight, good feeling, and good music. This was an uplifting, expertly performed reminder that great songs don’t expire, and that cultural heritage is strongest when it’s shared live, face to face, night after night. For anyone in the room, the evening felt less like attending a concert and more like being welcomed into a tradition that continues to shine — warmly, proudly and very much alive.

For more information: Buena Vista

Words: The Music Mole / Photos: Estrellas De Buena Vista