Hirahi Afonso Leads Evolution of Spanish Roots Music with Experimental Timple Sound
Gran Canarian musician Hirahi Afonso is redefining the traditional timple by blending jazz and electronic influences, with an immersive live performance scheduled for April 25th at Espacio La Granja in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Roots music in Spain is currently enjoying a creative boom, as traditional boundaries give way to new, experimental sounds. As seen in the career of Gran Canarian musician Hirahi Afonso, the timple is no longer confined to tradition; it has become a versatile foundation for modern music, blending jazz, electronics, and Mediterranean influences.
Afonso’s own artistic growth perfectly illustrates this shift. He has moved beyond mere technical skill to focus on songwriting. His discography—from his 2020 debut Memento to his 2023 release Lo Puro—shows a clear maturation, shaped largely by his time living in Barcelona. The city acted as a catalyst, allowing him to collaborate with notable artists like Silvia Pérez Cruz, Pedro Guerra, and Valeria Castro.
The strength of Afonso’s work lies in his ability to push the timple beyond its physical limits, using its unique characteristics as a tool for sonic exploration. By prioritizing innovation over preservation, he treats tradition as a starting point rather than a final destination.
Audiences can experience this vision live on April 25th at Espacio La Granja in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The 8:00 PM performance is designed as an immersive journey, alternating between intense, energetic passages and quiet, introspective moments.