Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, there was no escaping it. That voice. It was everywhere. It was in the car, at the dentist, and definitely at every single birthday party. We’re talking about Amaia Montero and the legendary Spanish band La Oreja de Van Gogh. For seventeen long years, the idea of them getting back together was just a "maybe" or a nostalgic dream for fans who missed the "Rosas" era. But here we are in 2026, and the impossible happened.
It's been a wild ride. People were shocked when Leire Martínez left the group in late 2024. Then came the rumors. Then the social media blackouts. And finally, the confirmation of the "Tantas Cosas Que Contar" tour. But behind the flashy posters and the sold-out tickets at the Roig Arena, there’s a whole lot of drama and history that explains why this reunion is such a big deal.
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The 2007 Split: Why Amaia Montero Really Left
Let’s clear the air on something. People love to invent stories about massive fights and flying plates, but the 2007 split was more about burnout and the need for space. Amaia was the face of the band. She was the "Queen of Pop" in Spain. When she announced she was going solo, it felt like the music died for a second.
She wanted to find herself. Basically, she had spent her entire youth being "the girl from the band." She released four solo albums, and while she had hits like "Quiero Ser," it was never quite the same as the magic she had with the guys from San Sebastián. You’ve probably seen the headlines over the last few years about her health—she had a rough patch around 2022 that had everyone worried. It makes her return now feel even more like a victory lap.
The Leire Martínez Era and the Chaotic 2024 Exit
We have to talk about Leire. She didn't just "fill in." She was the lead singer for seventeen years—longer than Amaia was! She kept the band afloat and gave us albums like A las cinco en el Astoria and Un susurro en la tormenta.
But the way she left? It was messy.
In October 2024, the band put out this corporate-sounding statement saying they were going "separate paths." Leire later admitted she didn't even sign that statement. She felt pushed out. There was this constant pressure of being compared to Amaia for nearly two decades, and it seems the "ghost" of the original singer finally took back the microphone. It’s kinda sad for Leire fans, but the industry moves fast. By early 2025, the "La Oreja de Van Gogh" Instagram was posting blank white images and cryptic messages like "only together makes sense."
What’s Actually Happening in 2026?
The "Tantas Cosas Que Contar" tour is the main event right now. It kicked off in May 2026 in Bilbao—the band's home turf. They’ve booked 16 massive dates across Spain, including stops in:
- Madrid (two nights at the Movistar Arena)
- Barcelona
- Valencia
- Seville
- Pamplona (the tour finale in November)
The setlist is a total nostalgia trip. They’re playing "La Playa," "20 de enero," and "Cuídate." But here is the kicker: Pablo Benegas, the founding guitarist, isn't on the stage. He’s still "in the band" behind the scenes, but he decided to step away from the touring life to be with his family. It changes the dynamic a bit, but having Amaia back at the center of the stage seems to be enough for the fans who are paying upwards of €290 for VIP packages.
Why This Reunion Actually Matters for Music History
This isn't just about middle-aged fans crying over "Rosas." It’s about the survival of Spanish pop. In a world dominated by reggaeton and trap, the return of a band that focuses on poetic lyrics and melodic hooks is a shift.
Amaia’s surprise appearance at Karol G's concert in Madrid back in the summer of 2024 was the spark. When she walked out and sang with the Bichota, the crowd lost it. It proved that the Gen Z audience knows these songs too. It’s a cross-generational thing now.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning to catch the tour or just want to dive back into the music, here is the best way to catch up:
- Listen to "El Viaje de Copperpot" (2000): This is the album they are celebrating for its 25th anniversary. It’s peak Amaia and arguably their best work.
- Check the Official Website: Tickets have been selling out in minutes, but they’ve been adding "extra views" and occasional extra dates for the fall leg in cities like Murcia and Santander.
- Watch the Rehearsal Clips: The band has been posting videos of Amaia singing "Puedes Contar Conmigo" in the studio. It’s the best way to see if her voice is still what you remember (spoiler: it’s pretty close).
- Follow the Solo Projects: Don't sleep on Leire Martínez's new solo work. She released a single in 2025 that basically tells her side of the story, and it's worth a listen if you want the full picture of the drama.
The reunion is a reminder that in the music world, nothing is ever truly finished. Sometimes you just need eighteen years and a blank Instagram profile to start the next chapter.