Tarragona will once again host the arc awards gala for the second consecutive year, celebrating the 24th edition of the awards that honour the live music industry. The event, organised by the Professional Association of Representatives, Promoters, and Managers of Catalonia (ARC), is scheduled for 24 November at the Palau Firal i de Congressos de Tarragona.
This morning, the nominations and updates for the 2026 edition were announced at a press conference attended by several key figures, including Sandra Ramos, the Councillor for Culture at the Tarragona City Council; Montse Adan, the Councillor for Economic Promotion and President of EMDET; Raquel Bassas, the President of ARC; and Xavier Pié, the President of the Tarragona Musicians Association.
Significance of the event
The gala will serve as the central event in the commemoration of ARC's 50th anniversary, marking half a century of service to the live music industry in Catalonia. Following its inaugural hosting of the awards in 2025 at the Teatre Tarragona, this year’s ceremony will take place at the Palau Firal i de Congressos, featuring a large-scale audiovisual production that aims to bring together artists and industry professionals in a celebration open to the public.
During the presentation, Councillor Sandra Ramos expressed pride in hosting the awards again, stating, “For Tarragona, it is an honour to welcome the arc awards for a second consecutive year, especially in such a significant edition as the 50th anniversary of the entity. The trust shown by the Catalan music sector reaffirms Tarragona as a cultural capital that is open, dynamic, and ready to host major events.”
Montse Adan added, “Hosting the arc awards at the Palau de Congressos is a great satisfaction, as it places the city at the centre of one of the major annual events for live music and recognises the work of artists and professionals essential for the cultural development of the country.”
Raquel Bassas highlighted the importance of this anniversary, stating, “Celebrating 50 years of ARC is a significant milestone for the live music industry in Catalonia. We have prepared a special edition of the arc awards, with a grand gala in Tarragona that will be the focal point of our anniversary. We want to open the doors of the celebration to the entire sector and the public to celebrate what we have built together, but also all that we still have to do.”
Nominations and categories
At the presentation, 48 nominations across 12 categories for the 2026 arc awards were revealed, recognising tours, programming, musical venues, and professionals who contribute to live music. Notable nominees this year include La Pegatina, Els Catarres, Ginestà, and La Fúmiga, competing for the Best Tour of Artist or Group award, while NAINA, Partiperes, LECOCQ, and ALOSA are in the running for the Emerging Artist or Group award.
The awards also celebrate a diversity of musical formats and styles, with categories dedicated to jazz, classical and traditional music, family music, orchestras, cover bands, and international tours. This year, several Tarragona proposals are nominated, including Teta Fest for Best Festival Programming and Sala Zero for Best Small Format Concert Cycle.
Details of the gala
The gala on 24 November, hosted by Yolanda Sey, will combine the presentation of the 12 awards with a celebration of ARC's 50 years. The event will feature four performances: Northern Cellos, Roger Mas, Svetlana, and Siderland, showcasing a blend of established artists and new talent, reflecting the creative diversity of the Catalan music scene.
The ceremony, starting at 20:30 and broadcasted by La Xarxa, will include simultaneous sign language interpretation to ensure accessibility for deaf audiences. A new initiative this year allows free entry to the gala for anyone interested, with invitations available until 17 November.
ProARC 2026 professional day
On the morning of the gala, the fifth edition of ProARC, a professional day for the live music industry, will take place. This gathering will bring together companies, professionals, programmers, and local government officials at various venues within the Palau Firal i de Congressos and the Rambla Nova in Tarragona. ProARC aims to connect artistic offerings with programming needs in municipalities, generating contracting opportunities and fostering cultural and economic development.
The programme will include networking events, speed meetings, and activities designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and business opportunities. ProARC 2026 will also focus on emerging talent, with selected acts such as SODI, M.U.R., and Duendes del Parke performing during the event.
The arc awards, supported by the Department of Culture of the Generalitat of Catalonia, the Tarragona Provincial Council, and the Tarragona City Council, recognise the contributions of artists, managers, promoters, programmers, communicators, and institutions that make live music possible in Catalonia.
