There are voices that not only form part of the history of music, but also become a generational symbol. Marian Dacal She is one of them. Her unmistakable timbre, her energy on stage and her magnetic presence marked the dance and Eurodisco music of the late 90s and early 2000s. When dance floors vibrated with impossible synthesizers and melodies that were tattooed in your memory, Marian Dacal became one of the undisputed divas of the genre.
And until now.
His voice is linked to anthems that defined a generation: “Flying Free”, “Pure”, “I Can Fly”, “Stay With Me”, “Heaven”, “Gun Shy”, “74-75”, “Take Me Higher”, “Rhythm Takes Me High”, “No More”, “I Wanna Cry”, and covers of New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle” and Michael Sembello’s “Maniac”. These songs continue to be played today at festivals, retro sessions, and playlists that have racked up millions of plays.
Marian is not just a memory: she's a living energy, a symbol of an era that never truly ended, and an artist who continues to fill stages with the same power as ever. Today, she remains a beloved, respected, and celebrated artist at festivals, retro events, and venues where nostalgia blends with modernity. In this interview, Marian looks back on her career, reflects on the present, and gives us a sneak peek at what's to come. And yes, we also talk about upcoming concerts, because her schedule is as full as ever.
Marian Dacal: the voice that marked an era and continues to shine brightly on its own. @mariandacal
www.mariandacal.com
Marian, your voice is part of the soundtrack of an entire generation. How do you remember those early years in dance music?
I remember it as a golden age… glorious. Dance music was booming, and the "sing-along" machine was starting to carve out a niche in the market. A huge amount of music was being released, and it was lucky to start during that period of expansion and growth. There was a shortage of English-language singers, so I arrived at the right time and place, without even looking for it.
Many people associate you with iconic tracks that are still played in clubs and festivals. How does it feel to see that your music is still alive decades later?
It's an absolute source of pride and an honor to have been a part of so many people's lives, and that this continues. Not only that, but we're also experiencing a generational shift. I see more and more young people at our events asking for photos. None of us involved in the Remember movement imagined this kind of fervor. It was clear our music had to make a comeback, but it's returned with much more force, and it looks like it's here to stay for a few more years. Or at least I hope so :)
The retro scene is stronger than ever. How have you experienced this resurgence, and what does it mean to reconnect with such a loyal audience?
This resurgence has allowed us, on a personal level, to realize what our music truly meant to all the fans who follow and support us. I realize that we've touched many lives, turning our songs into anthems for a generation. Since I couldn't experience the artistic side of things back then, for personal reasons, it's doubly satisfying for me to understand that our music was important and that it now allows me to pursue my calling, something that seemed unthinkable.
What differences do you see between the music industry then and now? What has changed for the better and what has changed for the worse?
The scene is very different for obvious reasons due to technological advances.
On the positive side, I would highlight that it would now be much more difficult to take advantage of aspiring artists because they have much more information about rights and obligations.
On the downside, and somewhat contradictorily, I'd say that with today's tools for self-management and self-publishing music, it's much harder to stand out. It's true that there are more paths, more channels to reach the public, and more ways to go viral, but there's also more chaos and market saturation. In the past, the only option was a record label, and the music released was long-lasting, the result of years of work. These days, music is more disposable. It's over in a flash.
Your live presence has always been very powerful. What do you enjoy most when you go on stage?
I officially left the stage in 1994 due to stage fright. I dedicated myself exclusively to composing and recording behind the scenes, hidden away in the studios. I couldn't even give radio interviews.
Officially, you could say my "comeback" was in 2018. But the road to my return began much earlier: it was a difficult and slow process. Starting in 2003/2004, there were several attempts to return to the stage to see how I felt, to see if I was capable, but in the end, I always backed out. That's why there are some recorded performances where I did participate.
A defining moment, a turning point for me personally, was the Máxima Festival in 2011. We improvised my performance without any planning, like a "bet you can't do it" kind of thing. I was incredibly nervous, but I felt more prepared to embark on my artistic career again. It wasn't the right time in terms of the market, but it gave me the boost I needed.
Coming back wasn't easy: I was shaking all over and couldn't quite enjoy myself. But with maturity and perseverance, I overcame my fears and my demons.
Sometimes I watch the videos in chronological order, and it makes me so happy to see how much I've grown to where I am today, enjoying myself on stage. Especially because if I'm enjoying it, the audience enjoys it even more.
Little by little, with awareness, a lot of work and thanks to the support of my family, friends and my friend and partner Eva, I can be here, as an ARTIST, answering these questions for the followers of Vamos.Barcelona and my music.
Marian Dacal looks back on her career with disarming sincerity: from the anthems that made a whole generation dance to her current vision of music, creativity, and the future of dance music. An interview that captivates you and brings back the excitement of those years when her voice filled everything.
Are there any tour or studio anecdotes that you remember with particular fondness and have never shared?
As an anecdote, I've never explained this before, but there was a time when I also considered quitting recording. Especially in the early years: I'd kick everyone out of the studio and stay alone with the producer so I could record. If I could have, I would have kicked him out too :))
Many artists of your generation are collaborating with current DJs or reworking classics. Would you like to explore that path?
Eva and I are open to collaborating. The blend of classic sounds and melodies with today's talent and technology creates hit songs.
I'll give you a little spoiler: we're currently working on a remake of a classic, but I can't go into more detail. So stay tuned.
How do you take care of your voice and energy to continue delivering such powerful performances after so many years?
Taking care of your health holistically is absolutely essential. This includes everything from exercise and diet to how you think and feel. You should strive to live as healthy a life as possible and never stop moving. Movement is vital, as is getting enough rest.
What projects are you currently working on? Are there any new songs, collaborations, or surprises you can tell us about?
There are several surprises. As you know, since 2019 practically everything I do is with Eva Martí.
These days a collaboration with Jose de Rico is coming out, a Latin-infused version of “Fly on the Wings of Love”… a really cool project. Of course, Rubén Ruboy and I have several things in the works, and as I mentioned before, a few new takes on classic songs that I'm sure will surprise you.
And the inevitable question for your fans: Where can we see you next?
2026 is shaping up to be a great year. We have many events confirmed. You can check out www.mariandacal.com or www.evamarti.com, where we'll be announcing the shows, as well as on our social media. As always, we'll see you at Love the 90's and Love the 20's, Molan los 90, Un Viaje a los 90, and the more local Remember festivals: February 14.2th in Viator, February 28.2th at Un Viaje a los 90 in Vitoria, March 7.3th in Castellón, March 20.3th at Molan los 90 in León, March 21.3st at Kiss FM Madrid, March 28.3th at Kiss FM Zaragoza…
We have the honor of being able to travel all over Spain, so I'm sure that somewhere we'll be able to meet up with our dear people.
Marian Dacal is not just a voice: it is a collective memory, a shared emotion, a heartbeat that returns every time the first bars of her most mythical songs are played.
But it is also the present and the future.
Her energy remains undiminished, her connection with the audience is stronger than ever, and her name continues to shine on stages where music is lived, danced to, and celebrated. Because some artists come and go… and some artists remain. Marian undoubtedly belongs to the latter.
