Sinsal Festival 2026: Eclectic Music on San Simón Island
The Sinsal festival took place on San Simón Island in the Ría de Vigo, Galicia, expanding its program to Vigo and the Camino Portugués in early August. Known for its secret lineup and unique protected island setting, the festival featured an eclectic mix of international and Spanish acts. Highlights included German trio Gigi Girls performing italodisco, British duo AK/DK reminiscent of LCD Soundsystem, Japanese trio NI-HAO!!! (recommended by Rosalía), Colombian duo Indus blending acid synths and futurist psychedelia, and Spanish groups like Merina Gris (hyperpop), Gazella (shoegaze/dream pop), Júlia Colom (folk), Skanderani (afrobeat/psychedelia), and Juventude (kinki pop). Other performers included Russian-born Berlin-based Mary Ocher, British-Sierra Leonean Nadeem Din-Gabisi, Malian artists Ben Zabo and Virginie Dembelé, Portuguese Travo, and Galician-Portuguese Mocho Gris. The festival emphasized community spirit, with staff multitasking and offering music workshops for children. The island's history was highlighted through abundant signage.
Key facts
- Sinsal festival held on San Simón Island in the Ría de Vigo, Galicia.
- Expanded in 2026 to Vigo and the Camino Portugués in early August.
- Lineup kept secret until performances.
- Featured German trio Gigi Girls (italodisco).
- British duo AK/DK (synth punk/kraut rock).
- Japanese trio NI-HAO!!! recommended by Rosalía.
- Colombian duo Indus (acid synths, futurist psychedelia).
- Spanish acts: Merina Gris, Gazella, Júlia Colom, Skanderani, Juventude.
- Mary Ocher performed socio-political set.
- Nadeem Din-Gabisi performed one-man-band set.
- Malian artists Ben Zabo and Virginie Dembelé performed.
- Portuguese Travo (trash rock) and Mocho Gris (digital r'n'b).
- Staff provided music workshops for children.
- Island's history explained via signage.
Entities
Artists
- Merina Gris
- Gazella
- Júlia Colom
- Skanderani
- Ahmed Moussa
- Juventude
- Gigi Girls
- Mary Ocher
- AK/DK
- Nadeem Din-Gabisi
- NI-HAO!!!
- Shonen Knife
- Beastie Boys
- Rosalía
- Indus
- Chancha Vía Circuito
- Travo
- Mocho Gris
- Ben Zabo
- Virginie Dembelé
- Ute Lemper
- PJ Harvey
- Laurie Anderson
- Derby Motoreta’s Burrito Kachimba
- Maria del Mar Bonet
- Portishead
- The Smiths
- An Alien Called Harmony
Institutions
- Sinsal
- El Hype
Locations
- San Simón Island
- Ría de Vigo
- Vigo
- Galicia
- Spain
- Camino Portugués
- Germany
- Israel
- Berlin
- Russia
- United Kingdom
- Sierra Leone
- Japan
- Colombia
- Mali
- Portugal
Sources
- El Hype —