DJ Mercedes Echevarria, heir to a prominent industrial family from Bilbao, has organized a special musical event to celebrate the first anniversary of the '¡¡Baila o muere!!' sessions. The event will take place on Friday, April 24, at the Be! Club, starting at 8:00 PM, and will feature 18 DJs, including Rafa Balmaseda, a co-founder of Parálisis Permanente.
Echevarria, a fervent advocate for pure vinyl, will share the DJ booth with her daughter Claudia, who has lived and worked in Australia for three years. Mercedes anticipates that Claudia will likely spin tracks from bands like Blurr or Sleaford Mods, as well as political rap from the Irish group Kneecap, whose songs are often banned on radio.
That's why the DJ set on the 24th, Friday, at Be! Club, will be an act of rebellion and vindication. 18 DJs will celebrate the first anniversary of the '¡¡Baila o muere!!' sessions!
This event holds deep significance for Echevarria, who views music and dance as symbols of freedom and critical thought. She recalls the quote from anarchist-feminist activist Emma Goldman: “If there is no dancing in this revolution, it's not my revolution.” Echevarria emphasizes that those who seek to annihilate civilizations, free thought, or human diversity, first prohibit music and dance.
Regarding her musical journey, Mercedes began her path at the age of four, listening to David Bowie's 'Suffragette City' on repeat. Later, her musical taste was shaped by artists such as Rod Stewart, Joy Division, The Stranglers, and The Cure. Currently, she admires bands like Bilbao's Ezezez and Warmduscher for their innovative sound.
“"Those who annihilate civilizations start with music and dance."
Echevarria also evokes Josephine Baker's famous quote: “If I must die, let it be dancing on a stage,” an expression that embodies her principles of disobedience and agitation. For her final dance, she would choose the Trashville stage, a legendary venue at the Azkena festival, where musicians and audience merge into a single space.
