Flamenco Festival has returned to London as one of the world’s leading platforms for flamenco. Over the past two decades, it has showcased both legendary artists and emerging talents, offering space for new generations of dancers, musicians, and singers to step onto the international stage. Since its founding, Flamenco Festival London has welcomed over 300,000 audience members across more than 300 performances, establishing itself as a key cultural event in the city’s theatre season. Last night’s performance by Queralt Lahoz at Sadler’s Wells Flamenco Festival was mesmerising — a powerful, contemporary flamenco fusion that deeply moved and completely immersed the audience. With her signature blend of flamenco, soul, bolero, and hip-hop, Lahoz stripped things back for En acústico, offering a raw, deeply personal experience that still burst with emotional intensity.
From the first breath of her set, it was clear this was not just a concert — it was a communion. The audience, largely Spanish-speaking, was fully engaged, singing along and echoing her rhythms with fervent energy. I found myself swept into the atmosphere — transfixed, carried by the waves of emotion and rhythm. Lahoz performed as if every note was pulled from the depths of her being, and at one point, visibly overcome, she wept during a song — a moment that silenced the theatre and made the intimacy of the evening even more palpable.
The personal nature of the performance was highlighted by a touching moment between Lahoz and a devoted fan, Hugo —someone who had met her by chance in a shop in Barcelona and travelled all the way to London to see her again. The two embraced on stage, a spontaneous act that exemplified the warmth and openness that defines Queralt’s artistry.
Her acoustic set featured beloved songs from previous records alongside previews of material from her upcoming album 9:30 PM (2025 available now). With minimal instrumentation, her vocals shone in their purest form — earthy, wounded, wise. This was flamenco reframed for the present day: a vessel for resistance, identity, and storytelling. It had the pain of old coplas, the groove of R&B, and the honesty of a diary entry.
The audience’s response was as heartfelt as the performance. After the show, I purchased her beautifully produced 9:30 PM CD— rich in texture, layered with meaning — and was lucky enough to have it signed by the artist herself. The recording captures the intimacy of her live performance and feels like a cherished keepsake from an unforgettable night.
Born in Santa Coloma de Gramenet in 1991 to a family from Guadix, Queralt Lahoz is quickly establishing herself as one of Spain’s most compelling musical voices. Her debut EP 1917 paid tribute to inspirational women; her breakout album Pureza toured internationally; and Alto Cielo, her 2023 audiovisual project, showed her flair for storytelling across disciplines. Her accolades include the prestigious Music Moves Europe Award and a standout performance at the Gaudí Awards.
Drawing on a heady mix of flamenco tradition, hip-hop, bolero, and spoken word, Lahoz gives voice to the working-class and migrant experience — rooted in history, but looking forward. Her influences span from La Niña de los Peines to Janis Joplin, and her lyrics are filled with poetry, rage, love, and faith.
Queralt Lahoz’s performance at Sadler’s Wells was everything I hoped for in a modern flamenco fusion: intimate, emotional, and utterly electrifying. If you haven’t discovered her yet, 9:30 PM is the perfect introduction to an artist who sings straight from the soul.
CD: 9:30 PM
Website & Tour Info: queraltlahoz.com
Fingers crossed for a return of Queralt Lahoz to London!
London Mums’ rating: 5/5
A masterclass in emotional storytelling and cultural fusion.
