Carmen Consoli – 22 February 2026 (Paral·lel 62 – Barcelona)

The silence lingers as the stage is bathed in warm light. The faint sound of the musicians’ footsteps can be heard, and the audience holds its breath, eyes fixed on Carmen Consoli as she takes her place on stage with her guitar. Carmen Consoli, guitar in hand, is ready to begin. The opening chord of “Cantu di la curuna” fills the space, crisp and clear, instantly creating an intimate and focused atmosphere.

Carmen Consoli, Paral·lel 62 Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

The Cantantessa’s slightly deep, husky voice cuts through effortlessly. ‘Pirati a Palermo’ and ‘Mandaci una cartolina‘ explore themes of memory and place. There are no theatrical flourishes; the stories unfold naturally and in rich detail, with a sense of reality. Spontaneous applause breaks out at the end of each song, accompanied by choruses of the audience calling her by name and openly expressing their affection.

Carmen Consoli, Paral·lel 62 Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

‘Mio zio’ tells the story of a young girl who suffered incestuous sexual abuse at the hands of a family member. Describing the experience with sparse language and minimal detail, the song highlights the loneliness and code of silence surrounding it, making the account all the more poignant and powerful.. Carmen Consoli then introduces ‘Amuri luci‘ in Catalan, dedicating it to Peppino Impastato. She briefly reminds the Barcelona audience who he was and what he represents for Sicily. ‘Parru cu tia‘, ‘Bonsai‘ and ‘Galateia‘ follow one after the other. With ‘Geisha‘, the sound becomes more precise: the guitar plays the main notes and the voice tightens without losing its natural quality. Geisha’s cries ring out loud and fierce. Silence accompanies every phrase in the hall, and at the end, prolonged applause and spontaneous singing break out.

Carmen Consoli, Paral·lel 62 Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

The second half of the concert features a performance by the Orquestra Músiques d’Arrel de Catalunya, conducted by Cesc Badia. Consoli affectionately refers to the conductor as ‘u picciriddu‘ in Sicilian, meaning ‘the boy‘, in reference to his youth. The mandolin of Massimo Roccaforte, the scacciapensieri and the flutes of Gemino Calà join the guitar, enriching the orchestral texture. The melodies of “Parole di burro“, “L’ultimo bacio“, “Mamma tedesca”, “Terra di Hamdis” and “Maria Catena” fill the space with the intimacy that characterises their concerts.

Carmen Consoli, Paral·lel 62 Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

“A finestra” offers an ironic portrayal of Sicilian attitudes and everyday mannerisms, providing the audience with a candid snapshot of island life that they watch in silence. Throughout the evening, the deep connection to her roots and to Sicily is palpable: the influence of Rosa Balistreri, whom Consoli admires, interprets and succeeds, is evident in lyrics that tell uncomfortable stories, often from a female perspective. As with Balistreri’s work, no further words are needed; the music and lyrics are self-sufficient, and every phrase is concrete and essential.

Carmen Consoli, Paral·lel 62 Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

The encores really engage the audience. ‘Blu notte/Contessa miseria’, ‘Fiori d’arancio’, ‘Bianco e nero’ and ‘Amore di plastica’ draw the audience in, with many singing along and others giving a long round of applause. ‘Bianco e nero‘, a song inspired by black-and-white photographs reflecting on the often complex relationship with one’s mother, is one of the most intense moments of the evening. There is silence as the voice and guitar breathe in unison, followed by prolonged applause at the end.

Each song weaves a narrative thread between the instruments, the voice and the audience’s reactions and attentive silences. Carmen Consoli’s presence and unique tone, combined with the guitar, mandolin, scacciapensieri and orchestra, strike a solid, tangible balance between modernity and tradition. For those with Sicilian roots, certain words resonate more deeply, evoking powerful memories.

Carmen Consoli, Paral·lel 62 Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo^©

This wasn’t the first time the artist had performed in Barcelona: she had previously visited the city in 2023 for a sold-out concert at the Casinet d’Hostafrancs. On both occasions, she was invited to perform at the Barnasants festival, thus confirming the close ties between the Sicilian singer-songwriter and the city’s music scene. After the concert, you are left with the feeling that you have witnessed something vibrant, authentic and unpretentious. Carmen Consoli reaffirms her status as a champion and guardian of Sicilian culture :

Setlist Carmen Consoli – Barcelona 2026

Cantu di la curuna

Pirati a Palermo

Mandaci una cartolina

Mio zio

Amuri Luci

Parru cu tia

Bonsai

Galateia

Le cose di sempre

Geisha

-Con la Orquestra-

Parole di burro

L’ultimo bacio

A finestra

Mamma tedesca

Terra di Hamdis

Maria Catena

Pendio dell’abbandono

-Bis-

Blu notte/Contessa miseria

Fiori d’arancio

Bianco e nero

Amore di plastica