:Megara (band)
{{Short description|Spanish band}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = group_or_band
| name = Megara
| image = Megara_01.jpg
| caption = Megara in 2024
| origin = Madrid, Spain
| genre = {{hlist|"Fucksia rock"|alternative metal}}
| years_active = 2015–present
| current_members = {{plainlist|
- {{ill|Kenzy Loevett|es}}
- Vitti Crocutta
- Tio Rober Bueno
- Raphaela Tache
- Kat Almagro (for Eurovision Song Contest 2024)
}}
| website = {{URL|megaraband.com}}
}}
Megara ({{IPA|es|meˈɣaɾa}}) is a Spanish rock band formed in Madrid in 2015, currently consisting of Kenzy Loevett, Vitti Crocutta, Tio Rober Bueno, and Raphaela Tache. They represented San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "11:11". They failed to qualify in the second semi-final, getting 14th place. It was the third time in a row that the country failed to qualify for the final. During Eurovision Song Contest 2024, Kat Almagro joined the band as a drummer.
History
Megara was formed in Madrid in 2015 by guitarist Rober and vocalist Kenzy.{{Cite web |last=MAG |first=NOTICIAS |date=2023-02-03 |title=Quiénes son Megara de Benidorm Fest 2023: biografía, integrantes, carrera y fotos de la banda de rock {{!}} Celebs de España nnda nnlt {{!}} FAMA |url=https://mag.elcomercio.pe/fama/quienes-son-megara-de-benidorm-fest-2023-biografia-integrantes-carrera-y-fotos-de-la-banda-de-rock-celebs-de-espana-nnda-nnlt-noticia/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=Mag. |language=es |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331134754/https://mag.elcomercio.pe/fama/quienes-son-megara-de-benidorm-fest-2023-biografia-integrantes-carrera-y-fotos-de-la-banda-de-rock-celebs-de-espana-nnda-nnlt-noticia/ |url-status=live }} That same year, the band released their debut EP Muérase quien pueda. In 2016, they released Siete, their first studio album. After the publication of their second studio album Aquí estamos todos locos in 2018, the band began rising in popularity, making their debut appearances at Download Festival and Resurrection Fest in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Vallespir |first=Victor |date=2019-06-17 |title=Cómo han acabado Megara en el Download |url=https://www.themetalcircus.com/reportajes/megara-download-festival-madrid-2019/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=The Metal Circus |language=es |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225165335/https://www.themetalcircus.com/reportajes/megara-download-festival-madrid-2019/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=Megara, el grupo de rock finalista ahora en el Benidorm Fest para ir a Eurovisión, ya actuó en el Resurrection Fest en Viveiro |url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/amarina/2023/02/01/megara-grupo-rock-finalista-benidorm-fest-ir-eurovision-actuo-resurrection-fest-viveiro/00031675255732899117771.htm |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=La Voz de Galicia |language=es |archive-date=11 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611072233/https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/amarina/2023/02/01/megara-grupo-rock-finalista-benidorm-fest-ir-eurovision-actuo-resurrection-fest-viveiro/00031675255732899117771.htm |url-status=live }}
= Benidorm Fest 2023 =
In 2023, the band participated in Benidorm Fest 2023, the Spanish preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Arcadia". They finished fourth in the first semi-final on 31 January 2023, qualifying for the final, where they finished in fourth overall.{{Cite web |last=Casanova |first=Verónica |date=2023-02-04 |title=Primera semifinal del Benidorm Fest 2023: Agoney arrasa y Megara da la sorpresa |url=https://www.rtve.es/television/20230204/benidorm-fest-2023-primera-semifinal-directo/2417922.shtml |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=RTVE.es |language=es |archive-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221222510/http://www.rtve.es/television/20230204/benidorm-fest-2023-primera-semifinal-directo/2417922.shtml |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Casanova |first=Verónica |date=2023-02-05 |title=Blanca Paloma, directa a Eurovisión: resumen de la final de Benidorm Fest |url=https://www.rtve.es/television/20230205/benidorm-fest-2023-final-directo/2420788.shtml |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=RTVE.es |language=es |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807140455/https://www.rtve.es/television/20230205/benidorm-fest-2023-final-directo/2420788.shtml |url-status=live }} That same year, they announced that they would be the supporting act on the Spanish leg of Babymetal's World Tour.{{Cite web |last=Diez |first=Dani |date=2018-05-04 |title=MEGARA serán los teloneros de BABYMETAL en Barcelona y Madrid – Metalcry.com :: Tu Web de Rock y Metal |url=https://metalcry.com/megara-seran-los-teloneros-de-babymetal-en-barcelona-y-madrid/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |language=es |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426114412/https://metalcry.com/megara-seran-los-teloneros-de-babymetal-en-barcelona-y-madrid/ |url-status=live }}
= Eurovision Song Contest 2024 =
In 2024, the band participated in the Sammarinese preselection Una Voce per San Marino 2024 with the song "11:11". The song was originally intended to compete in Benidorm Fest 2024, but was not selected by broadcaster RTVE.{{Cite web |last=Adell |first=Daniel |date=2024-02-15 |title=Megara publica 11:11, la canción que presentaron al Benidorm Fest y con la que compiten en Una Voce Per San Marino |url=https://eurovision-spain.com/megara-publica-1111-la-cancion-que-presentaron-al-benidorm-fest-y-con-la-que-compiten-en-una-voce-per-san-marino/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=eurovision-spain.com |language=es |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225165335/https://eurovision-spain.com/megara-publica-1111-la-cancion-que-presentaron-al-benidorm-fest-y-con-la-que-compiten-en-una-voce-per-san-marino/ |url-status=live }} To comply with Sammarinese selection regulations, verses in the Italian language were added.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-25 |title=La banda española Megara representará a San Marino en Eurovisión 2024 |url=https://www.abc.es/play/television/eurovision/banda-espanola-megara-representara-san-marino-eurovision-20240225114958-nt.html |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=Diario ABC |language=es |archive-date=27 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427072008/https://www.abc.es/play/television/eurovision/banda-espanola-megara-representara-san-marino-eurovision-20240225114958-nt.html |url-status=live }} They competed in the second semi-final, and, after qualifying to the second chance round on 23 February 2024, advanced to the final.{{Cite web |last=Youyou |date=2024-02-23 |title=San Marino: Megara among 8 "emergent acts" to Una Voce per San Marino final |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/02/23/san-marino-megara-among-8-emergent-acts-to-una-voce-per-san-marino-final/280184/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=wiwibloggs |language=en-US |archive-date=12 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412164133/https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/02/23/san-marino-megara-among-8-emergent-acts-to-una-voce-per-san-marino-final/280184/ |url-status=live }} They were declared the winners of the competition by a five-member professional jury, and were thus selected to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-25 |title='11:11' won - Megara will represent San Marino in Malmö |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/megara-will-represent-san-marino-malmo |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225070310/https://eurovision.tv/story/megara-will-represent-san-marino-malmo |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-25 |title=Una voce per San Marino, Bertè arriva seconda. All'Eurovision gli spagnoli Megara |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/tv/25-02-2024/una-voce-per-san-marino-2024-vincono-i-megara-loredana-berte-seconda.shtml |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225105346/https://www.gazzetta.it/tv/25-02-2024/una-voce-per-san-marino-2024-vincono-i-megara-loredana-berte-seconda.shtml |url-status=live }} They failed to qualify from the second semi-final on 9 May 2024, placing 14th out of 16 with 16 points.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final 2 Results and Qualifiers |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/05/09/live-discussion-semi-final-2-of-eurovision-2024/281585/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=wiwibloggs |language=en-US |archive-date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709153339/https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/05/09/live-discussion-semi-final-2-of-eurovision-2024/281585/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Sturtridge |first=Isaac |title=REVEALED: The Eurovision 2024 semi-final and final jury/televote detailed voting results |url=https://escxtra.com/2024/05/12/revealed-the-eurovision-2024-semi-final-and-final-jury-televote-detailed-voting-results/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |work=ESCXTRA |language=en-GB |archive-date=15 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515044029/https://escxtra.com/2024/05/12/revealed-the-eurovision-2024-semi-final-and-final-jury-televote-detailed-voting-results/ |url-status=live }}
Musical style
The band have coined their musical style as "fucksia rock", a combination of electronic, dance and rock genres.{{Cite web |last=TV |date=2023-01-31 |title=Megara, Benidorm Fest {{!}} Quiénes son Megara, la banda de 'fucksia rock' que quiere ganar el Benidorm Fest 2023 |url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/culturas/tv/megara-benidorm-fest-arcadia-20230109185501-nt.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lasprovincias.es%2Fculturas%2Ftv%2Fmegara-benidorm-fest-arcadia-20230109185501-nt.html |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=Las Provincias |language=es}} The band stated that they coined the term out of disdain of being put into one genre, with Rober Bueno stating in an interview, "we didn't see ourselves pigeonholed into any [genres]... [it] encompasses several styles. We like pop or rock and we express our tastes in our songs. And it has a mix of all that".{{Cite web |last=Escartín |first=Javier |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Megara: 'España tiene una asignatura pendiente con el rock' |trans-title=Megara: "Spain has unfinished business with rock" |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.es/entry/megara-rock-benidorm-fest_es_636a81e3e4b01727bbd241e8.html |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Huffington Post |language=es |archive-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510162747/https://www.huffingtonpost.es/entry/megara-rock-benidorm-fest_es_636a81e3e4b01727bbd241e8.html |url-status=live }} In another interview, the band described their music as "the perfect mix between the sinister and cotton candy".{{Cite web |date=2023-02-03 |title='Arcadia', la canción rock que ha hecho finalista al grupo Megara en el 'Benidorm Fest 2023' |url=https://www.diezminutos.es/teleprograma/programas-tv/a42132670/megara-benidorm-fest-eurovision-2023/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=Diez Minutos |language=es-ES |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225165335/https://www.diezminutos.es/teleprograma/programas-tv/a42132670/megara-benidorm-fest-eurovision-2023/ |url-status=live }}
Discography
= Studio albums =
= Extended plays =
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album or EP |
|---|
| scope="row" | "{{lang|es|Truco o trato|i=no}}"
| 2020 | rowspan="2" | Truco o trato |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|es|Ni contigo ni sin ti|i=no}}"
| rowspan="2" | 2021 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|es|Náufrago|i=no}}"
| Mester de Juglaría |
| scope="row" | "Medusa"
| rowspan="4" | 2022 | rowspan="4" | Truco o trato |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|es|Estanque de tormentas|i=no}}" |
| scope="row" | "Hocus Pocus" |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|es|Arcadia|i=no}}" |
| scope="row" | "11:11"
| 2024 | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|es|Cicatrices|i=no}}"
| 2025 |
== As featured artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album or EP |
|---|
| scope="row" | "{{lang|es|Geometría universal|i=no}}" {{small|(Arcano Boreal featuring Megara)}} | 2022 | Atlas |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
{{S-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box
| title = San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years = 2024
| before = Piqued Jacks
with "Like an Animal"
| after = Gabry Ponte
with "Tutta l'Italia"
}}
{{S-end}}
{{San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=autocollapse}}{{Eurovision Song Contest 2024}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Musical groups established in 2015
Category:2015 establishments in Spain