Cartagena’s La Mar de Músicas festival brought world rhythms to life this July

This July, the coastal city of Cartagena delivered an unforgettable night of global rhythms and international talent, proving once more why it is a must-see destination on the summer calendar, for residents and visitors alike. In the midst of the La Mar de Músicas festival, local neighbours and international visitors alike poured into the streets to enjoy world-class performances.

Electropop and radioactive chicha set the city alight

The major highlights began with LaTorre, an electropop music project from Ecuadorian singer-songwriter Renata Nieto. In mid-July, she blended ancestral resonances with electronic sounds, creating a modern and introspective tone. Afterwards, the atmosphere became an all-out party in the Cartagena City Hall plaza, with the performance by Papaya Dada. Bringing their signature “radioactive chicha,” an infectious mix of cumbia, funk, tropical beats, and brass, the Quito-based band turned the plaza into a massive street celebration.

Breezy Mediterranean sounds in the historic courtyard

Following them, Greek artist Stella Chronopoulou took over the old training barracks courtyard in the city. Her set offered a perfect, breezy backdrop for an evening in Murcia, combining delicate synth-pop with 1960s Mediterranean sounds.

Silvana Estrada captivates the auditorium with raw emotion

Finally, the main event arrived at the Paco Martín Auditorium with Mexican artist Silvana Estrada, now returning for her third appearance at the festival. Estrada delivered a raw and emotionally charged performance that blended folk, jazz, and traditional Latin melodies with her signature vocal prowess.

She performed tracks from her acclaimed debut Marchita alongside her newest project, Vendrán suaves lluvias (“Soft Rains are Coming”), using silence and stripped-down melodies to create a truly unforgettable atmosphere in Cartagena.

Celebrating its special Ecuador theme, this edition of La Mar de Músicas once again proved why Cartagena’s rich street culture and international sounds are a highlight of the Spanish summer, and why the coastal city remains the destination of choice for those looking for stunning cultural and entertainment events on the flourishing Costa Calida.