xicu

In the contemporary Catalan pop scene, Xicu is the solo project of Cesc Valverde, a singer, songwriter and drummer from Catalonia who is also a member of Ginestà and Ambauka. Under the name Xicu he develops a Catalan-language repertoire where singer-songwriter songwriting blends with melodic pop tinged with folk and occasional electronic textures, with particular attention to vocal harmonies and guitar and keyboard arrangements. The project launched with the EP “Sol”, which established an intimate and direct lyricism, followed by the album “Sacrificis” (2024), marked by collaborations with Triquell, Socunbohemio, Ven’nus and Maria Hein and by a move toward denser production while remaining focused on voice and text. On stage Xicu appears as a four-piece band, with Cesc Valverde on vocals and acoustic guitar, supported by Andrea Puig on guitar, Gerard Sala on keyboards and Eloi Canyelles on backing vocals and samplers; this band format highlights a collective dimension while preserving the project’s authorial identity. Xicu has been present at various festivals and events of the new Catalan independent scene, notably Primavera Sound.