The popularity of tribute bands, which perform hits by groups like Hombres G (Hombres B) or MotörHead (MotörHits), has moved from simply filling gaps at local festivals to selling out medium and large venues, including spaces like La Llotja de Lleida. This phenomenon, driven by nostalgia and musical quality, saw a massive presence on the schedule of venues such as the Cafè del Teatre, La Boite, and the Cotton Club during the past winter.
“"They sound like the groups they pay tribute to; they usually sound very good because there are high-quality musicians behind them, and they rarely fail."
Toni Revés, programmer for several key venues in Lleida, explained that despite preferring original music, the surge in these shows is “inevitable” today. These groups offer a complete show, imitating the clothing, stance, and gestures of the original band, even addressing the audience in the band's original language.
The success is mainly attributed to the nostalgia of a generation that wants to “keep going to concerts” and recall the music of their lives. Furthermore, tribute bands offer an affordable and local alternative given the difficulty and prohibitive prices of seeing major international stars. This trend has proven its drawing power, with recent tribute concerts for Gun’n’Roses and the Alan Parson Project achieving sold out status.
