Fermín Muguruza

On Friday, May 2nd, Viña Rock experienced one of its most resonant moments of the festival with the return of Fermín Muguruza — a comeback after more than a decade away from its stages. From the opening notes of “Sarri Sarri,” the Kortatu anthem that launched the set, it was clear this wasn’t a nostalgic exercise. Muguruza had come not to revisit the past but to engage the present — with the same force and focus that has defined his entire career.

Over the course of nearly 90 minutes, the Basque artist delivered a performance that was intense, stripped-down, and deeply intentional. Ska, dub, punk, and reggae flowed naturally — the sound of a career that’s always been equal parts rhythm and resistance. No flashy visuals, no theatrical tricks — just a tight, purposeful show where every song was a political and cultural act.

One of the show’s most powerful dimensions was the presence of multiple guest artists who transformed the performance into something larger than a solo set. Sharing the stage with Muguruza were Tremenda Jauría, feminist rap icons whose energy amplified the concert’s call for inclusion and change; Bewis de la Rosa, a singer from Castilla-La Mancha who reinterpreted a portion of “Sarri Sarri” through a feminist lens; and Antonio Rada, both as an emerging artist and as a representative of Valor Manchego — a platform advocating for greater representation of local artists in festivals held on their own land. Their appearances weren’t ornamental — they were aligned with the manifesto Muguruza co-signed with over a hundred artists, calling for more women and regional acts on Viña Rock’s future lineups.

Technically, the concert was clean and sharp. The horn section punched through with clarity, while the dub textures provided depth and space. Muguruza’s voice, still potent and full of edge, carried the weight of every lyric with precision. The band played tight, the rhythm never faltered, and the sound mix kept the message at the forefront.

Visually, the show was minimal — by design. There were no overproduced effects, no attention-grabbing tricks. The message was in the music and the presence. This wasn’t a spectacle, it was a statement.

This wasn’t just a return — it was an intervention. Muguruza didn’t come back to bask in past glory. He came back to push forward a vital conversation about equity, representation, and cultural responsibility in the music scene. His set at Viña Rock 2025 wasn’t just one of the best of the weekend — it was a masterclass in how to use a stage, a voice, and a history to move things forward.

Words & photos: Iker Audicana