What a setting! The modern open-air concrete "Roman Amphitheatre", perched on Ronda's western cliff edge is a wondrous location. The mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema make a perfect backdrop for any performance.
[Photo: Diario Sur]
We arrived just after 9.00 pm as the first act was beginning its set. "We" were myself and my German friends Iris and Rainer who I've known for some 16 years, since I immigrated to Spain, in fact, to live with my German sweetheart Rita.
Iris and Rainer owned (and still do) the house next to our home in Montejaque, a village near Ronda.
As it turns out, Montejaque is the base of the PBMF, although not back then.
This festival did not debut until 2016.
Iris and Rainer [Photo: Paul Whitelock]
Robin Mordecai and Diego Castillo-Olivares
Robin is a talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Austin, Texas.
Robin reminded the audience, small at this early hour (the Spanish go out late!), that this was his fourth consecutive time at the festival and that four years ago was when he first met Diego from England, then a 13-year-old, born to Spanish parents who had emigrated to England.
2020 was also the first time I attended the festival and I got to know them both.
Diego made a guest appearance on drums in a jam session which also featured Robin on guitar, as well as other players from the USA and Europe. Diego was just 13-years-old at the time!
Back to the present, Diego is poised to go to Bristol University in October to study Design/Mechanical Engineering, exactly what my brother Simon did there, albeit over 50 years previously.
Back to the concert and Robin was singing and playing electric guitar, backed by Diego on acoustic Spanish guitar.
They were fabulous! Robin's powerful voice and Diego's consummate guitar-picking really got the evening off to a a great start.
Photos of Robin and Diego on stage in Ronda by Paul Whitelock
Leeann Atherton
Next up were Leeann Atherton and her band from Alabama via California. This band was new to me..
Before us stood an old dear dressed in cowboy gear and clutching a guitar. Towering over her was a rather large younger man. It didn't look promising!
Sitting down was a man with an electric guitar and off to the side a keyboard player. After tuning up, the band burst into song. It was an a cappella harmony. Blimey! West Coast rockabilly at its best.
Photo by Paul Whitelock
Leeann then introduced her band. The big lad beside her at the front of the stage, was her son, Austin!
They then played a rousing set of Country and Western with a tinge of the Blues.
Austin also played mean guitar and mouth organ, as well as possessing a powerful and clear baritone singing voice.
I bumped into Leeann later and we had a great chat. We exchanged contact details, so we'll see how that goes.
Puerto de Santa Maria (Cadiz)
The next two groups were from my favourite place on the Cadiz coast, El Puerto de Santa Maria.
Unfortunately, as far as I and my two companions were concerned, both bands were a great disappointment. The worst was that they occupied the peak slot and the organisers couldn't get them off!
The Maddening Flames, an eight-piece with more guitars than soft Mick (whoever he was!), and just one female voice, outstayed their welcome.
They lived up to their name - they were maddening! - simply samey and boring.
The core members of The Maddening Flames [Facebook]
Los Jaguares de la Bahia were nothing more than a joke! A parody.
Three old guys, two on guitar and one on keyboards with lights on their costumes.
The best "musician" was the synthesiser drummer.
[Photo courtesy of Vertigo Estival]
Donovan Keith and friends
Why they kept this ensemble back to so late is beyond belief. Donovan Keith, from Austin, Texas, is amazing. He has a fabulous tenor voice and is a great ukelele player (on a par with the late great George Formby! - joke, ha-ha).
His collaborators were Robin Mordecai (q.v.) on drums, Diego Castillo-Olivares (q.v.) on guitar and Jason from Canada on bass guitar.
Donovan Keith and friends on stage in Montejaque [PW]
We enjoyed their first few numbers, before it was time to go home and go to bed.
Conclusion
Look, the Pueblos Blancos Music Festival is all free, so we shouldn't moan.
As for me, I love live music, warts and all. It was once again a privilege to experience this amazing event.
[Poster courtesy of Sierra de las Nieves]
Links:
Pueblos Blancos Music Festival 2022 | Cartel, entradas, horarios y hoteles - www.fanmusicfest.com
Pueblos Blancos Music Festival 2025 - Austin & Andalucía Music Festival
Pueblos Blancos Music Festival Mark VIII - Eye on Spain
Pueblos Blancos Music Festival - Ronda Today
© The Culture Vulture
Photos:
Diario Sur, Paul Whitelock, Sierra de las Nieves, Vertigo Estival
Tags:
Austin, Cortes de la Frontera, Culture Vulture, Diario Sur, Diego Castillo-Olivares, Donovan Keith, El Colmenar, Jimera de Libar, Leann Atherton, Montejaque, Mozambique, Olvera, Paul Whitelock, Pueblos Blancos Music Festival, Robin Mordecai, Ronda, Serrania de Ronda, Sierra de Grazalema, Sierra de las Nieves, Teatro Romano, Texas, Vertigo Estival