By Alfonso Portabales
Last night, Puerta del Sol pulsed with the spirit of flamenco as Madrid paid tribute to one of Spain鈥檚 most transformative and important musical icons. In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the birth of Jos茅 Monje Cruz, known to the world as the great Camar贸n de la Isla, the centre of Madrid became a stage for a moving, open-air homage.
The free concert, part of Cruzcampo鈥檚 cultural project Un puente por la bah铆a, featured performances by singer Judeline, from los Ca帽os de Meca, and flamenco guitarist Yerai Cort茅s. The evening began at 21:30, drawing in both dedicated flamenco aficionados, pop fanatics and curious passers-by.
An icon reimagined
Camar贸n de la Isla remains one of the most revered figures in Spanish music. Born in San Fernando, C谩diz, in 1950, he rose to prominence in the 1970s, bringing a revolutionary energy to flamenco. Collaborating with virtuosos such as Paco de Luc铆a and Tomatito, Camar贸n broke with tradition without ever betraying the genre鈥檚 soul. His blend of flamenco with jazz, rock and eastern influences drew younger audiences and pushed the boundaries of flamenco as a living art form.
Judeline, herself from C谩diz province, is among a new generation of artists shaped by Camar贸n鈥檚 legacy. Though known for blending flamenco roots with contemporary sounds like electronic pop and trap, she returned to her core influences in last night鈥檚 performance. With a powerful, controlled voice, she delivered an emotional reinterpretation of Camar贸n鈥檚 songs, adding modern nuance without losing traditional depth.
Yerai Cort茅s, one of the most exciting names in today鈥檚 flamenco guitar scene, accompanied her with a style that was both technically complex and emotionally resonant. Born in Alicante in 1995, Cort茅s has performed with renowned artists such as Israel Fern谩ndez and has made a name for himself through his sensitivity to rhythm and dynamic expression.
A communal celebration
The setting in Puerta del Sol lent the event a powerful atmosphere. Hundreds stood shoulder-to-shoulder, some drawn by the music鈥檚 unmistakable strains drifting over the plaza, others having made a special journey for the occasion. The warm summer air wrapped around spectators as the performance unfolded against the backdrop of Madrid鈥檚 most emblematic square.
This was not a closed venue with seats and velvet ropes. This was flamenco placed among the people. Locals, tourists, elders and teenagers all paused for a time. Some stood in silent concentration, others moved to the rhythms instinctively.
A project with purpose
The tribute is part of a wider campaign by Cruzcampo aimed at reinvigorating flamenco鈥檚 role in public life. Un puente por la bah铆a includes educational workshops, audiovisual archives, and live shows designed to trace the evolution of flamenco from its Andalusian roots to its current expressions in urban culture. The project places a spotlight on emerging talent and aims to close the gap between young audiences and traditional forms.
It鈥檚 a timely initiative. While flamenco remains an essential part of Spain鈥檚 cultural identity, and it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010, it often risks being relegated to staged performances for tourists.
Events like this, placed in the public eye and ear, reassert flamenco鈥檚 everyday vitality and contemporary relevance.
Steps into the future
Camar贸n鈥檚 legacy was always about expansion without rupture. He sang of pain, love, exclusion and pride, inviting a wider musical conversation. That ethos echoed strongly through Judeline and Cort茅s鈥檚 tribute, which never mimicked the past but used it as a launching point.
As the final notes faded into the warm air, many remained, clapping slowly, as if reluctant to let the moment end. Even in silence, the music lingered.