Around 7,000 people gathered this Friday at La Concha Beach in El Cotillo for the start of the twentieth edition of the Fuerteventura Music Festival (FEM), featuring Nigerian Femi Kuti and the Granada band Eskorzo as the main acts.
The Fuerteventura Music Festival (FEM) has once again proven to be an unmissable event of the summer in Fuerteventura. In its twentieth edition, La Concha Beach in El Cotillo attracted around 7,000 people on the first day, held this Friday. The lineup, headlined by Nigerian Femi Kuti & The Positive Force and the Granadian Eskorzo, offered a night of varied rhythms that made the audience dance well into the early hours.
The day kicked off in the afternoon with a parade by the batucada Corumba that wound through the streets of El Cotillo, creating a festive atmosphere and guiding residents and tourists to the beach stage. The first to take the stage was local artist Marta Umpiérrez, who presented a fresh proposal of pop and urban music, accompanied by more than twenty dancers from the Datana academy. Her performance served as an introduction to an edition that champions local talent.
Mestizaje and alternative flamenco on the sand
After Marta Umpiérrez, it was the turn of Chanela Clicka, who showcased her alternative flamenco with urban touches. The group, known for their fusion of styles, managed to connect with an audience that was already beginning to fill the beach. Next, La Sra. Tomasa raised the temperature with her characteristic musical mestizaje, reuniting with Fuerteventura ten years after her first performance on the island. The band, one of the most recognized in the genre, made the attendees dance to rhythms ranging from cumbia to electronic music.
The highlight of the night came with Femi Kuti & The Positive Force. The Nigerian musician, heir to his father Fela Kuti's legacy and a key figure in afrobeat, delivered a performance full of rhythm, energy, and political message. With a band of over ten musicians and dancers, Femi Kuti captivated the audience with songs like "Truth Don Die" and "No Place for My Dream," in a performance that combined saxophones, percussion, and vibrant choruses. The audience, fully engaged, sang along and danced non-stop for nearly an hour.
Eskorzo closes a historic night
The concert's finale was provided by Eskorzo, who celebrated their three decades of career on stage. The Granada band, known for their fusion of rock, ska, cumbia, reggae, and Mediterranean sounds, offered a vibrant show that capped off the first day. Songs like "Dame luz" and "La flor del amor" echoed on the beach, while the audience, still full of energy, sang and jumped to the band's rhythm. Between performances and at the close, DJ Woodhands kept the atmosphere alive with a musical selection that accompanied the attendees until the end of the night.
Local communicator Pilar López was in charge of presenting this twentieth edition of FEM. With a long career in Fuerteventura radio, she hosted the first day, giving voice to an event that continues to champion local talent on stage. The organization highlighted the warm reception from the audience and the festive atmosphere experienced in El Cotillo.
Saturday's programme: more music and daytime activities
FEM 2026 continues this Saturday with a programme that promises to maintain the level. In the afternoon, the festival will offer cultural activities and music in various locations around El Cotillo, while at night, the La Concha Beach stage will host performances by Arife, Queralt Lahoz, Kumbia Boruka, Antonio Carmona, and Pongo. The organization recommends arriving early to enjoy the complete experience, which includes dining areas and an artisan market.
For those who are late, the festival offers a unique opportunity to see top-level artists in a paradise-like setting. However, those who miss it will have to wait until next year for the 21st edition. Or, as a local might say, "those who didn't see Femi Kuti in El Cotillo don't know what it means to dance on the sand."
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