Hysteriofunk Band Blasts Andorra Government Over Housing Crisis in Festival Speech

Hysteriofunk band's festival opening speech in Andorra la Vella mixed a tribute to its origins with direct criticism of the government over the housing crisis, leaving senior officials in the audience looking uneasy.

The five members of the group—Lluís Cartes (drums), Roger Casamajor (keyboards), Òscar Llauradó (bass), Oriol Vilella (guitar), and Cesc Vilarrubias (percussion)—delivered the pregó from the balcony of the communal building in Plaça Príncep Benlloch on Thursday afternoon. Dressed as General Councillors complete with gambeto and tricorn hats, and Vilarrubias as a priest, they recounted their start in the early 1990s at rehearsal spaces on the second floor of the Centre Ciutat car park. They would skip lunch from Sant Ermengol school to play instruments left by other bands.

Minor Consol Olalla Losada introduced them to hundreds gathered in the square, praising their 30 years of bringing musical joy and exporting Andorran talent abroad. The band formed in 1996 with a debut concert on Girona's Argenteria street, followed by a European tour aided by a 160,000-peseta grant from the Culture ministry under Pere Canturri to buy a van. Members later studied and performed extensively in Barcelona, releasing their first album, Random, in 2000 on Marc Pantebre's Disconforme label.

Guitarist Oriol Vilella noted how their generation built Andorra's rock scene from sparse beginnings, recalling a 1996 protest after Latvian girls were detained for street music—now a common sight. He praised current support for live music and local talent but warned of growing challenges. "The pursuit of profit by some is ending the dreams of many people," Vilella said to widespread applause, pointing to residents forced into shared flats or moving to La Seu d'Urgell due to unaffordable housing.

Head of Government Xavier Espot and Minister Conxita Marsol, standing nearby, listened with strained expressions. Opposition figures Cerni Escalé, Núria Segués of Concòrdia, and Pere Baró of the PS exchanged glances. Losada urged festivalgoers to enjoy responsibly, noting the five-day programme's 67 events—nine more than in 2025—with added activities for children, youth, and seniors, including revived havaneres.

The crowd cheered before esbart dances began, leading into cercaviles parades, giants, sardanes, children's events, circus and theatre, markets, sports, and concerts by Mama Dousha, La Ludwig Band, Celtas Cortos, The Tyets, Els Amics de les Arts, and Doctor Prats. Losada later gave the band a token of appreciation.