Spanish singer Leire Martínez has rejected claims that her solo career is a failure during a performance at the Mar d'Estiu music festival in Spain.
Addressing the festival crowd before performing her single Cabeza de ratón, the artist delivered a passionate speech defending her commercial trajectory and current standing in the music industry.
Martínez told the audience that success is often wrongly judged by whether an artist sells the most records or fills the largest venues. She acknowledged that while her music may not be reaching number one on the charts, she firmly refused to accept that her work is going poorly or should be considered unsuccessful.
She told fans that if her current professional situation were to be labeled a failure, it indicated a wider problem with industry expectations. Introducing the song Cabeza de ratón, which she created alongside fellow artists María Peláe and Alba Reig, Martínez added that the three musicians agreed it is frequently better to be the head of a mouse than to chase conventional metrics.
Solo Album and Radio Success
The featured single Cabeza de ratón has achieved regular rotation on Spanish radio network CADENA 100, where it is featured during the station's 45-minute uninterrupted music segments. It is one of three tracks from her debut solo recording to gain airplay on the network.
The radio station previously introduced listeners to Mi nombre, the lead track that launched initial public interest in her solo direction. CADENA 100 has also broadcast No se me da bien odiarte, a collaborative single recorded as a duet with her close friend and fellow pop vocalist Edurne.
All three singles are included on Martínez's debut studio album, Historias de aquella niña, which was officially released on February 20, 2026. Two days after the album was launched, she debuted the material live in Madrid, marking the start of a 13-date initial presentation leg across Spain.
International Leg and Spanish Tour Schedule
Following her initial Madrid concert, Martínez embarked on an extensive international leg across the Americas. The singer performed to enthusiastic crowds in Chile, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico, with plans already established for a return concert in Mexico.
After completing her international dates, Martínez returned to Spain to launch her comprehensive national concert series, titled the Aquella niña Tour. The summer leg began on June 5, 2026, with an opening performance at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias complex in Valencia.
The continuous marathon of live performances has included stops across the country, such as a recent show in Salou where Martínez presented a gift to a working fan during the event. Her national tour is scheduled to run through the summer before concluding with a final concert performance in Alcover on October 17, 2026.
Martínez gained widespread prominence across the Spanish-speaking world as the lead singer of the pop group La Oreja de Van Gogh, a role she held for more than 15 years. Her ongoing tour and debut solo album represent her formal transition into an independent recording artist.
