Warekes live ★ Latin-Folk ★ Madre Mare
A sonic journey from the South American jungle to the heart of the Mediterranean
Thursday 16.04.2026 @ Mezrab

★

ABOUT WAREKES & THE “NEW FOLKLORE”

Founded in 2019 in The Hague by Martín Mayo, Warekes began as a meeting place for musical traditions. The band grows its “New Folklore” in a liminal space—a conscientious yet universally familiar sound that calls out oppression while also reflecting on the importance of friendship, love, and everyday rituals. Their debut album, Everyday Wonders (2023), celebrated these shared moments, from making morning coffee to biking home at 3 AM.

The name Warekes [wa.‘re.kes] is a loanword from the Chayma language of the Cumanagoto people of Eastern Venezuela. It is the plural of wareke, a small frog that lives by rivers and streams. As the sky darkens and rain begins to fall, the frogs gather by the water and begin to sing in a simple yet beautiful counterpoint. It is a song of joy, sung by all.

Today, the band boasts a community of over 2,000 compañeros worldwide. With their live performances, Warekes transports audiences deep into the lush embrace of the South American jungle—where the humid air comes alive with the melodic calls of frogs, raindrops dancing on canes, and soulful chants—now bringing that same immersive, evocative energy to the shores of the Mediterranean.

THE PROJECT & THE GENESIS OF THE SONG

Founded on the mission of creating a “New Folklore without borders,” Warekes is known for its deep roots in Venezuelan folkloric melodies and Cumbia rhythms. However, with “Madre Mare,” the band embarks on an unprecedented exploration into Mediterranean folk. The work was born in Sicily during an artistic residency for the theater play Il Viaggio di Giufà (produced by Associazione Gravina Arte). Immersed in the island’s atmosphere, the musicians merged their South American heritage with the ancient history of Southern Italy, creating a transoceanic bridge built of music and words.

Martín Mayo – cuatro, voice, percussion
Edurne Ruiz García – voice, cajón
Sarah Raabe – voice, congas, bongós, percussion
Peppe Sapienza – clarinet, voice
Simon Kalker – bass

★

Doors open: 20:15
Concert: 21:00
Tickets: 12,50 EUR
Limited online student tickets: 10,50 EUR