This is not going to be a typical chronicle with a dissection of canteand artists. The grace of Gypsy stew from Utrera It involves precisely the coexistence and enjoyment as much as attentive listening or the environment and circumstances surrounding the oldest of the festivals flamencos.
Actually, as regulars know, the Potaje festival starts weeks in advance with calls and messages. We have to finalize the table arrangements. Will there be eleven or twelve of us? We'll see. Who can come this year? I'm very lucky to be sharing a table with a group of friends I've known for years, and, like in penitential processions, we move forward in the rows to get closer and closer to the stage. Coordinated by Manolo Cordero, who acts as logistical and emotional host, in the end, this year we were eleven friends from different professions and places (Seville, Coria, Las Cabezas, La Campana…), but united by the passion for flamenco and to have a good time. This year they joined us at the table José María Jurado, recent and brilliant winner of the Romero Murube prize, Diego the Little Marquis of Utrera And at the next table, some good friends of Marchena led by Victor MoranFor example, last year we were lucky enough to have with us Angels Cruzado or the guitarist Lola YangThat's the beauty of a table like this: almost no one has a guaranteed seat. Every year circumstances dictate, but there's never a shortage of people willing to take a place.
The important thing is, who's buying the drinks? And the food? Should we bring dessert? Someone passing through Sanlúcar these days is buying wine. Bread from Lebrija or Las Cabezas? These are the questions to be resolved beforehand. This festival isn't just about buying a ticket and sitting in a seat listening like in a theater. It's about something else. Coolers with ice, bags of food, and above all, friendship and reunions. Getting together at least once a year to see each other and catch up on how life has been these past few months, and, artist by artist, discussing what they sing and how they sing it, play it, or dance. Many things can happen that night, but almost none of them will be what you've planned. The setting provided by the magnificent courtyard of the school of The Salesians of UtreraThe table arrangements and how well-dressed everyone is can be confusing to a newcomer. And yes, deep down it could be a wedding. Life needs to be balanced with... flamenco And why not celebrate in style? If you arrive unexpectedly or forget something, the refreshment stand is always handy for emergencies, allowing you to support the brotherhood and its charitable work, which, ultimately, is what drives this entire organization. Generally speaking, the same principle could be applied to other festivals. flamencoYes. But it is true that, in this particular case, bringing your own food and the way of sitting at round tables gives the event a special uniqueness.
The companion Juan GarridoA classic in this field despite its youth, it presents and introduces the artists, who this year are especially high-caliber. To the point that it is Jesus Mendez who opens. Jesús hardly needed it, but the organizers deserve praise for the excellent sound system. It's not easy to get good sound at an event of this size, and we can attest that even behind the last row of tables, everything sounded quite good. Jesús attacks with his characteristic power and skill, accompanied by Manuel Saladonephew of the recently deceased and already missed Miguel SaladoIt begins with alegrías and ends with fandangos, the first of which is dedicated to the guest of honor of the evening: The one from Puebla del Río / my soul breaks / and I get chills / when Morante fights.
"The final stretch for an imperial Marina Heredia who was undoubtedly the big winner of the night. With soleá, bulerías and cuplés she seduced the audience, paying a fitting tribute to the..." cante"And artists from Utrera that we all carry in our hearts, never forgetting their homeland with the well-known tangos from Granada and Morente always in our thoughts."
The atmosphere warms up a little with the syrupy voice of Antonio Reyes accompanied by his son's guitar NonoI'm sorry I can't give all the details I'd like at this point, but on my way to the bathroom I ran into the big Pitín de Utrera And I couldn't help but stay with him for a while, listening intently to what he was telling me about the Roma people and their direct descendants. Silk Sets, third son of Adán y Eva or how they worked in "maintenance at the pyramids." These are the things I was referring to, and they are priceless and impossible to plan for (*).
Juan gives way to the dance of Joseph Maya, eagerly awaited due to the positive feedback from his time in Torres MacarenaIt came accompanied by cante de Pruna Blonde y Antonio Villar and the guitar of The Moviewhich we also enjoyed very much. She danced energetically, to the delight of the audience. And she left a great impression before the controversial tribute without honoreeThere's little more we can add to what our colleague has already said. Juan Garrido en her chronicle #FromWithinAlthough we all knew that, given he was scheduled to fight in León that same afternoon, it was nearly impossible for him to arrive on time, the bullfighting aficionados present held onto a sliver of hope. And, being Morante, they didn't want to give up on the possibility of him appearing in some capacity, even if it was just for a final flourish. But it wasn't to be. We won't dwell on it further. The facts are what they are. Manuel Lombo He dodged the maestro with the elegance he always displays.
Final stretch for an imperial Marina Heredia who was undoubtedly the big winner of the night. With soleá, bulerías and cuplés she captivated the audience, paying a fitting tribute to the canteAnd artists from Utrera that we all carry in our hearts, without forgetting their homeland with the well-known tangos from Granada and Dying always in my thoughts. Also magnificently accompanied by the guitar of Ruben Lara, palmas and percussion.
Group party ending as is tradition with remedies y Manuela Reyes, The Turronera and Manuela del Moyawhich we particularly enjoyed and in which we could see its promising evolution. A grand finale, with classic Malagan closing songs such as Remake y Cancanilla, which left the best taste to start preparing the LXXI Utrera Gypsy Stew of 2027.
We can't complain about almost anything this year. A great lineup of artists, organization, sound, and even the weather cooperated. I would only highlight a couple of details: the aforementioned “non-presence” of the honoree And, an issue that occurs far too often at festivals and events with multiple artists, the repetition of palos y cantesThat's not the case, but all fans will remember hearing even the same styles and lyrics at some point, and frankly, with so much variety, this aspect should be improved by the organizers and artists who perform at festivals. Perhaps that close camaraderie among artists that existed thirty or forty years ago has been lost. What is the price of having ultra-professionalized the flamenco?
In any case, none of this spoiled the great night we all had last Saturday in Utrera. Long live the Utrera Gypsy Stew!
Text: Fede Calderón
Credits
LXX Gypsy Stew from Utrera
Courtyard of the Salesian School of Utrera, Seville
June 27 2026
Artistic cast: Marina Heredia, Antonio Reyes, and Jesús Méndez. José Maya and his troupe. Closing performance: Cancanilla de Marbella, Remache de Málaga, Manuela del Moya, Remedios Reyes, and Rocío La Turronera.
Capacity: 2300 people
(*) If you don't know Pitín de Utrera and are curious, don't miss the recent interview he gave The Barefoot Man.
