British groups top the bill at annual St Sebastian concerts

Top British groups The Christians and Teenage Fanclub will be the main attractions at the St Sebastian celebrations on January 19, when concerts are held in the main squares in the city centre. The Christians, who last performed in Palma in the mid-Nineties, will be appearing with Spanish singing sensation Raul in the Plaza Mayor. Raul topped the Spanish charts for most of the summer with Sueño tu Boca. And Teenage Fanclub will top the bill in the Plaza Juan Carlos, along with the Majorcan group Sexy Sadie, whose leader is on the cover of this month's Elle as one of the people to watch next year. Sexy Sadie sing in English, their chief influences being The Beatles, U2 and David Bowie. Flamenco lovers will be heading for the Plaza San Francisco, for the group Maita Vende Cá, who will be presenting their latest album. This year, for the first time, there will be a concert in the Plaza Olivar, the music being provided by Catalan rock groups, although the final list of performers has not been settled. Traditional Majorcan groups will perform in the Plaza Santa Eulalia, while in Plaza Cort, El Consorcio will provide a touch of nostalgia. They will be promoting their latest record which is a compendium of all time Spanish favourites by Luis Eduardo Aute, Emilio José and Victor Manuel. These concerts are free and attract people from all over the island. This year, the St Sebastian festivities will include a concert on the 20th, the actual feast day, which is a public holiday in Palma. Although it has not been officially confirmed, it is believed that the artist will be flamenco singer Duquende. The St Sebastian programme of events includes the colourful Three King's parade on January 5 and the parade and blessing of animals on the feast of St Anthony, January 17.