Urbàlia Rurana, 35 years of Valencian and Mediterranean folk music

ValenciaTurning 35 is quite a milestone. Even more so in the world of music. However, that's precisely what the Valencian folk group Urbàlia Rurana has achieved, and they will celebrate their anniversary this Saturday, March 14th, with a concert at the Palau de Les Arts in Valencia.

The recital will be the culmination of a celebration that has included the release of their album. 35 years and going strong!, recorded at a live concert at the Tradicionàrius Artisan Center in Barcelona in 2025. To round off the celebration, the band led by Toni Torregrossa and Jaume Gosàlbez will be accompanied by other prominent Valencian folk artists such as singer Noèlia Llorens, Titana, the wind group Pau Puig, and the dulzaina and percussion group La Xafigà.

According to the band, the album 35 years and going strong! It's not just a review of Urbania Rurana's history, but also a "reaffirmation of their commitment to Valencian and Mediterranean folk music and popular culture." The Valencian music critic and editor of the magazine agrees. CaramellaJosep Vicent Frechina described Urbania Rurana's trajectory as "one of the most solid and insightful proposals on the Valencian music scene." According to Frechina, Urbàlia Rurana was founded in 1990 with the aim of creating a dialogue between Valencian musical tradition and the music of other Mediterranean regions, "with an open and respectful approach to the shared heritage" that they still maintain. This work has allowed them to become the leading Valencian folk group after the disbanding of the historic band Al Tall.