Loquillo raises rock’s flag with hit after hit at a packed Vive Latino

Loquillo planted the flag of rock and roll before thousands of people at Zaragoza’s Vive Latino, carrying a packed main stage with the power of his biggest hits, a battle-tested stage presence and a top-level band.

The Barcelona-born singer returned to the festival for the second time after appearing at its 2023 edition. The crowd had already filled the venue for M-Clan, and festivalgoers endured intense heat throughout the day. At the end of Loquillo’s set at 11:30 p.m., the thermometer still read 30 degrees Celsius. He performed throughout in black leather or a black blazer, dress trousers and sunglasses.

Laurent Castagnet’s drums opened the recital, and Loquillo stepped onstage a minute later for a set lasting more than an hour. He began with “En las calles de Madrid,” followed by “Línea clara” and “María,” then moved into “El hombre de negro,” his distinctive version of the Johnny Cash classic. The set also included “Los Buscadores,” “Cruzando el paraíso,” “El rompeolas” and “El rey del glam.”

The repertoire, drawn from a tour built around his established songs, left little room for risk. But musicians including Castagnet, Igor Paskual, Josu García and Alfonso Alcalá gave the performance a narrow margin for error. Introducing “Rock and roll star,” Loquillo offered a characteristically confident declaration: “Winners are recognized on the starting straight. I first sang this song in 1979.”

The final stretch brought “Rock and roll actitud,” “La mataré,” “El ritmo del garaje” and “Feo, fuerte y formal.” Loquillo saved “Cadillac solitario” for the end, closing with an extended instrumental finish tailored to his fans’ enjoyment.

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Winners are recognized on the starting straight. I first sang this song in 1979.