Sidecars

The 2026 edition of Nits de Vivers got off to a flying start last week as Madrid rock heavyweights Sidecars and local rising stars Bajo 79 delivered a memorable opening night in Valencia's beautiful Jardines de Viveros. With warm summer air, packed terraces and the unmistakable buzz that only live music can create, the city's favourite open-air concert series launched in style.

For many in attendance, the evening was a perfect example of what Nits de Vivers does best: bringing together established national acts and exciting local talent in one of Valencia's most atmospheric concert settings. The festival's mix of music, gastronomy and the unique surroundings of the Viveros Gardens once again proved irresistible.

Opening the night were Torrent's own Bajo 79, a young band formed in 2024 but already generating serious momentum. Drawing influence from artists such as Leiva, Viva Suecia, Amaral and Morgan, the quartet delivered a confident set packed with melodic indie-rock, heartfelt lyrics and a maturity beyond their years. Their songs balanced melancholy and optimism, winning over an audience that may have arrived for the headliners but quickly found themselves paying close attention to Valencia's newest rock hopefuls. There was an unmistakable sense of pride from the local crowd. Bajo 79 didn't simply warm up the stage—they seized the opportunity, proving that they belong on major festival bills and suggesting that much bigger stages lie ahead.

Then came Sidecars. Arriving in Valencia as part of their Everest tour, the band demonstrated exactly why they remain one of Spain's most loved rock acts after nearly two decades together. Fresh from the release of their seventh studio album, Everest, Sidecars combined new material with the crowd-pleasing anthems that have earned them a devoted following across the country.

From the opening notes, the connection between band and audience was immediate. The singalongs were loud, the energy relentless and the performance effortlessly polished. Sidecars have always excelled at turning personal stories into communal moments, and under the lights of Viveros that gift was on full display. What stood out most was the contrast—and chemistry—between the two bands. Bajo 79 represented the future of Valencian guitar music; Sidecars embodied the experience, confidence and songwriting craft that comes from years at the top of the Spanish rock scene. Together they created a bill that felt perfectly balanced and exactly what Nits de Vivers is all about.

As the crowd filtered out into the Valencia night, there was a feeling that the festival had set an exceptionally high bar for the concerts still to come. For Sidecars it was another triumphant stop on the Everest journey. For Bajo 79, it may well be remembered as the night they truly arrived. And for everyone lucky enough to be there, it was a reminder that summer in Valencia sounds very, very good indeed.

Words and photos: Rhyan Paul