The tenth edition of the Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival began this Friday at Playa de San Agustín, in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, bringing together thousands of attendees. The event, a well-established summer cultural fixture in the Canary Islands, celebrated its anniversary with a day of live music, a family atmosphere, and artists connected to soul, rhythm & blues, and funk.
This year, the festival marks its tenth anniversary, an occasion that included a moving tribute to Dania Dévora, a historic driving force behind the event. The San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council announced the initiation of proceedings to posthumously name her an Adoptive Daughter of the municipality, an honor received with a standing ovation from the audience.
The opening program featured a set by Manel Ruiz "El Especialista", followed by the performance of Koko-Jean & The Tonics, who connected with the audience through their blend of soul, rock and roll, and funk. The band's energy transformed the beach into a dance floor.
After the tribute to Dania Dévora, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Band, led by Kurt Clayton, offered a journey through the sound of Memphis. The voices of Shunta Mosby, Dani McGhee, and Candy Fox joined the ensemble to perform classic soul tracks.
The night continued with Dot. Moore, who fused traditional soul with contemporary R&B, and concluded with Bigg Robb, presenting a southern soul, blues, and funk set. The day ended with a collective Grand Finale, where several artists performed soul classics together.
