On 19 May at 7pm, the Music Museum inaugurates the exhibition “La gran nit del rock català” (Big night of Catalan rock) which marks the 25th anniversary of the mega concert held at Palau Sant Jordi on 14 June 1991 and which featured Sopa de Cabra, Sau, Sangtraït and Els Pets. This was the biggest ever diffusion of Catalan rock, for both the public and the media. More than 22,000 people attended the concert, a record number of spectators for an indoor concert in Europe, and had a great impact in the Catalan press and amongst opinion leaders. The concert was broadcast live by Canal 33 and went on until three in the morning. ‘Catalan rock’ became visible, multinational companies made proposals to all the artists on the night, the bands increased their earning potential and generated great expectation in all respects.

For this reason, the Music Museum wanted to recall this phenomenon in the Catalan music scene and to offer visitors a journey through its history by means of different materials such as iconic tickets, posters, concert programmes, records from the bands of the time and the line-up of the legendary concert at Palau Sant Jordi. Moreover, a member of each band offered one of the instruments played on that magical night, so visitors to the Music Museum will be able to see the electric guitar of Lupe Villar, Sangtraït, the acoustic guitar of Pep Sala, Sau, the bass of Francesc Lisicic “Cuco”, Sopa de Cabra, and the drums of Joan Reig, Els Pets. The exhibition, commissioned by editorial group Enderrock, can be seen until 8 January 2017.

Sopa de Cabra, Sau, Sangtraït and Els Pets, the bands of the time
For 15 years, from 1985 to 2000, all the conditions were right for the creation of their own music scene, with more than 250 bands and over 500 albums recorded, which led to a new music industry (concert halls, circuits, festivals, record labels, management companies), media, new cultural policies in institutions and an audience that quickly identified with it. Looking back, the pinnacle of this successful music scene was undoubtedly the concert held on 14 June 1991 at the Palau Sant Jordi, featuring four of the leading bands: Sopa de Cabra, Sau, Sangtraït and Els Pets.

SOPA DE CABRA. The kings of rock
Created in a squat in Girona and made up of musicians from former bands, Sopa de Cabra already had a strong fan base before they released their first album onto the market. Their emergence with a powerful rock sound and bold lyrics made them a launching point for Catalan rock, especially with songs like “L’Empordà”.

ELS PETS. Protest and fiesta songs
The band has had the longest uninterrupted career of its generation, spanning over 30 years, making them a key musical reference. They started out playing fiesta music which encompassed a range of different styles, and later evolved towards local pop, but without losing the critical, rebellious spirit that had characterised them from the beginning.

SANGTRAÏT. Tramuntana heavy metal
Attracted by heavy metal, rock and rhythm ‘n’ blues, five friends from the Empordà region formed the band Sangtraït. Initially they only did cover versions but then later started to develop their own repertoire with epic-style songs. The music and unique style of the band from La Jonquera made them a reference among their thousands of loyal fans.

SAU. Pop ballads
Sau’s success took off with their album Quina nit (Picap, 1990), which catapulted the band to the peak of popularity. Thousands of spectators sang along to the music of the group headed by Carles Sabater and Pep Sala. “Boig per tu” (Crazy about you) became part of the intergenerational musical landscape of Catalans.

“La gran nit del rock català” was supported by: the Department of Culture of the Government of Catalonia / Barcelona City Council / Fundació SGAE / Enderrock / Catalunya Ràdio / Estrella Damm / Discmedi-blau / Picap / Salseta / TV3 / KriskaDECOR