Flamenco guitarist Yerai Cortés delivered an unforgettable evening at the Lithica quarries in Menorca with his acclaimed “Solo de guitarra.” The concert, which sold out completely, marked the opening of the CRANC Illa de Menorca Festival 2025, leaving the audience enchanted by his talent.
Last night, flamenco turned into magic in Menorca. Yerai Cortés, a key figure of new flamenco, transformed the monumental Lithica quarries in Ciutadella into a hypnotic stage where each note of his “Solo de guitarra” echoed like a spell. The event, co-produced with the Fosquets de Lithica festival and supported by Estrella Damm and Meliá Cala Galdana, was the first official act of the CRANC Illa de Menorca Festival 2025.
There could not have been a more fitting venue. Lithica, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offered a unique atmosphere that amplified the expressive power of the Alicante-born guitarist. Performing to a full house of 500 people, Cortés delivered his art with a closeness that recalled his purest essence, different from the sophistication of “Guitarra Coral,” his more media-recognized work.
With each piece, the artist grew in intensity and emotion. There were tear-jerking moments, like his tribute to his father, a pivotal figure in his vocation. The audience responded with heartfelt applause, prompting two encores amid waves of clapping.
Yerai Cortés’ impact on the contemporary flamenco scene is undeniable. Not only for his prodigious technique and ability to renew the flamenco guitar language but also for his stage charisma, which has already shone at the Goya Awards alongside C. Tangana. Notably, the documentary “La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortés” was screened earlier this week as a prelude to the concert, boosting the artist’s media presence.
Following this magical night, the CRANC Illa de Menorca Festival accelerates toward its most ambitious edition yet, featuring names like Ángeles Toledano, Los Punsetes, Shego, Deadletter, and Depresión Sonora. The final acts completing the lineup will be announced on Monday, cementing this festival as a must-attend for music lovers who value authenticity, comfort, and Menorca’s natural beauty.
Who is Yerai Cortés?
Yerai Cortés Merino was born on May 24, 1995, in Alicante, into a family deeply rooted in flamenco: he began learning at the age of eight from his father, Miguel, and was musically inspired by his mother, María. He launched his professional career in Madrid, performing in prestigious tablaos such as Las Carboneras, Villa Rosa, Casa Patas, and Corral de la Morería, and has graced stages like Teatro Bellas Artes in Madrid, Coliseum in Barcelona, and Lope de Vega in Seville.
He is a prominent figure in contemporary flamenco, celebrated for blending tradition with modernity. Cortés has collaborated with artists such as La Negra, La Tana, Richard Bona, Manuel Liñán, Farruquito, and Javier Colina, and even ventured into genre-crossing projects with C. Tangana.
As a composer and cultural producer, he has created original works and taken part in cutting-edge projects like La Zapatera and FlamenKlorica. In 2021, he received the “Guitarra con Alma” Award at the Festival de Jerez for his performance in Rocío Molina’s Al fondo riela.
In 2024, he starred in the documentary-album La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortés, directed by Antón Álvarez (C. Tangana). Premiered at the San Sebastián Film Festival and later released in Spanish cinemas, the film won two Goya Awards in 2025: Best Documentary Film and Best Original Song (“Los almendros”), co-written by Cortés and Tangana.
According to C. Tangana, Yerai represents a true fusion of the classic and the modern: “The modern ones call him modern, and the gypsies call him gypsy.” The documentary served as an act of personal healing, reconstructing his family story and artistic identity.
At just 29 years old, Yerai Cortés has already become one of the most influential names in 21st-century flamenco, respected by both purists and avant-garde audiences, paving the way toward new sonic and narrative expressions.