Gloria Gaynor

San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain — On a balmy August night by the glittering Mediterranean, Gloria Gaynor turned the seaside town of San Pedro del Pinatar into Studio 54 under the stars. Opening the Sal de Música Festival on August 12, the 81-year-old disco legend gave a masterclass in survival, soul, and sequins, proving that age is just a number—and resilience is forever in fashion.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut Never Can Say Goodbye, Gaynor delivered a set that shimmered with both nostalgia and unshakable vitality. She didn’t just perform—she commanded, turning the stage into a pulpit of empowerment where every note felt like a declaration: I’m still here, and I still sound damn good.

From the moment a tribute video chronicling her five-decade career faded into the thunderous opening chords of “I Am What I Am,” Gaynor had the audience—spanning generations—wrapped around her gold-studded mic. Backed by a tight, soulful band and flanked by dazzling visuals, she moved effortlessly between classics like “Never Can Say Goodbye” and her newer material from the gospel-influenced Testimony and the more recent Happy Tears EP.

And yes, she saved the anthem for last.... When “I Will Survive” finally arrived, it wasn't just a song—it was a release. An entire crowd, thousands strong, threw arms in the air, belting every word with cathartic joy. It wasn’t disco. It was communion.

But Gaynor’s set wasn’t a nostalgia act. It was alive. Her voice? Still a marvel—clear, commanding, and rich with the wear-and-tear of a life lived boldly. She danced, joked, and interacted with the crowd like she had nothing to prove but everything to give. Her rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” brought the night to a close with elegance and charm—one final sparkle in a show already glittering with highlights.

For more information and tickets to the remaining concerts in this years series: Sal de Música Festival

Words and photos: Rhyan Paul