This year's La Linea will be the opportunity to celebrate all things Latin and groovy, across London and Liverpool, from April 14th to May 2nd.

The fortnight-running music festival presents us with a fine selection of Hispanic-tinged sounds, with an emphasis (for 2009) on Catalan music.

The 'Catalan Focus' will unfold at Barbican on April 14th, and see UK debut performances by Argentinian tango ensemble, Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro, and by French Catalan composer Pascal Comelade and his band, the Bel Canto Orquestra. The focus will stretch to two other dates: April 18th at the Barbican, which will mark Peret's UK debut la Linea appearance in celebration of his 5o years of championing Catalan Rumba, with support by Barcelonan Cumbia-reggae rockers La Troba Kung-fu; and April 27th at the Roundhouse, which will host Ojos de Brujo, the great Catalan collective (fronted by singer/lyricist, Marina), whose new album 'Aocaná' is expected for April 20th, supported by Cuban rapper Kumar.

This year's festival is definitely one of novelty and will also introduce Brazilian singer-songwriter Vanessa da Mata at Koko on April 26th, just three weeks after the release of her third album 'Sim' (Yes), out on April 6th, which features Ben Harper.

April 28th at Barbican will premiere a tribute of some kind as a 15-piece band, including members of Café Tacuba, Plastilina Mosh, King Chango, Sergent Garcia, Amparanoia and Alejandro Escovedo, will pay homage to one of UK's national treasures, The Clash, and give Latin-flavoured renditions of the band's catalogue under the moniker 'Spanish Bombs: A Tropical Tribute to The Clash'.

Then, Latin punk veteran Alejandro Escovedo will perform solo and close the London festivities in the intimate surroundings of the Bush Hall on April 30th.

La Linea will then partly transfer to Liverpool, which will host Ojos de Brujo on May 1st, and Spanish Bombs: Tropical Tribute to The Clash on May 2nd, at the Philharmonic Hall.

Tickets range from £10.00 to £25.00, or £30 for a Liverpool pass, available from all participating venues.

More information: www.comono.co.uk/lalinea

Solange Moffi