Festivals Belako: “Mad Cool was one of our most memorable concerts at a festival”

We spoke to the Spanish band about their forthcoming new album, and returning to Mad Cool this year after a memorable set in 2017.

Words: Sarah Jamieson
7th July 2023

Could any other festival pull off having Robbie Williams take to the stage in the middle of Lizzo and Lil Nas X? Probably not! And that’s just one of the reasons that Madrid’s Mad Cool is sure to be one of this summer’s most memorable events. With a line-up packed with huge names (from Liam Gallagher to Years & Years, Rina Sawayama to our cover stars QOTSA), and the very real promise of sangria on tap, we can’t wait to head to the Madrid event’s new festival site in Villaverde.

What’s more, there’s also going to be a slew of Spanish bands out there to discover and dig into, including the brilliant Belako, who are also prepping their new album ‘Sigo Regando’. Ahead of their return to Mad Cool this year, we chatted to the band’s Cris Lizarraga…

You recently announced that you’re going to be releasing your new album later this year - how are you looking forward to getting the record out in the open?
We’re really excited about this one, it’s a pleasure to keep making new music; that and live performing is the only way to go further professionally in music, but most of all, emotionally. You need to be in love again and again with what you do or else you get bored.

It follows on from 'Plastic Drama' that came out a few years ago - did you learn anything in particular from that album which you wanted to take into the making of this one?
We are super proud of 'Plastic Drama': it was indeed a cursed name, as it saddens me to think of what a waste it was to come out in such a terrible context, as the band's world tour was cancelled due to Covid. But still, we learned that it was an album [which was] very truthful to our band, with a rough sound like our live sound. We keep that dynamic for this new album; of analogue recording through tape, less elements, less layers. We also learned, after releasing an album in the pandemic, that we were forced to explain everything about our lyrics and concepts, and we wish for our communication with the audience to be less demanding. It was something we came up with because we needed to swim on the surface so we didn't drown.

Can you tell us a bit about making 'Sigo Regando'? What inspired you when writing it, and did you have anything you specifically wanted to explore or create with this album?
This is an album with a lot of intention but in a more subtle language. There are accidents and there is intentionally elaborated poetry. It's still political, but it has more of what we've been experiencing lately with loss and existentialism. We are neo-romantics but we show a whole rainbow of diverse melodies and shapes. This might sound pretentious but I'm just trying to use all the words in English I can right now; it's 1:37am now.

Do you have any fun stories from making the record?
Our second single, 'Sangre Total', was a crazy experiment: the first song we ever wrote in Spanish and it was my immediate favourite but all the time I was afraid of the others being unsure about it. Then Josu and Lore surprised me with the best idea for a video ever. I am really proud and I wanted to say this; it's not funny, sorry! I hoped my parents would once and for all reject one of our songs but as it turns out, they love it.

Also, 'Tangerine' has that name because it's a weird 7/8 time signature and it took me a long time to get used to that measure, so I used tangerines on the floor to sing and fit in the syllables correctly.

“We are excited to be back [at Mad Cool], and are trying not to have our hopes too high, but it’s hard with a memory like our 2017 set!”

— Cris Lizarraga

You've just played a few shows over in the UK - how did they go? Did you get to play many new songs in your set?
The UK tour was fantastic, we played with our Scottish mates Tijuana Bibles in Glasgow and Edinburgh, with new friends Trunc from Manchester; we got to tour with the nicest people of Loose Fit and discovered very special venues in Nottingham, Leeds and Manchester (and the perfect party in Gay Village). The Lanes in Bristol was also a great experience, to play in the same place you sleep, plus Bristol rocks. Finishing the tour in Camden Assembly (which I knew as the Barfly when I was 17 and alone in London) was a delight; we got to play 'White Lies', and 'Tangerine' (which is still unreleased) and we loved to test the songs. They worked out pretty well we think.

You're also gearing up to play at this year's Mad Cool Festival! Are you excited?
We played Mad Cool on its second edition in 2017, at Stage 3 after Savages and before M.I.A. - it was one of our most memorable concerts at a festival. We played at the same time as Kings Of Leon, but we had a huge crowd, it was a dream. We are excited to be back, and are trying not to have our hopes too high, but it's hard with a memory like that one!

What's your favourite part of playing at festivals?
Getting to watch and meet other bands, it's inspiring. Also to have the chance to diversify your audience, I would be honoured to create a good impression on, let's say, [some of] Lizzo's fan club. I love Lizzo, she's the shit.

Are there any other acts you'll be trying to watch at Mad Cool Festival? What's your biggest piece of advice for other attending the festival?
I'll try to travel on Tuesday so I get to watch Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and King Princess, [and] on our day M.I.A. again because when will I ever have enough of M.I.A.? The answer is never. I hope I can catch Dora's show as well!

Otherwise, stay hydrated with lots of water (not plastic bottles thank you, tap water in Madrid tastes delicious!) If you can, go to at least one concert completely on your own in the middle of the crowd, and go to the concerts with your loved ones and cry together to your fave songs. And above all, don't fall in love with musicians.

'Sigo Regando' is out 8th September via BMG Records.

Belako play Mad Cool (6th - 8th May), where DIY is a media partner. Head to the festival’s website for more info, and to buy tickets.

Tags: Belako, Mad Cool, Festivals, Features, Interviews