‘SNL’: Watch Rosalía Perform ‘Reliquia,’ ‘Magnolias’

Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía marked a significant moment in her career with a captivating appearance on Saturday Night Live, where she performed two tracks from her latest album, Lux. The performances offered viewers a glimpse into the ambitious and genre-defying scope of the project, which has drawn acclaim for its intricate fusion of classical motifs and modern sensibilities.

During the episode, Rosalía delivered “Reliquia,” a piece distinguished by its emotive choreography. To prepare, she trained with a professional ballerina, enabling her to execute sequences on her toes, an unusual choice that lent the performance a delicate, balletic quality. The setting included a striking visual element: shadows of orchestral musicians projected on a white curtain, reinforcing the album’s theatrical and classical influences.

The second song presented was “Magnolias,” the concluding track of the four-movement Lux album. Rosalía performed it in a minimalist yet evocative setting, singing in the rain while dressed in white against a nearly black backdrop. This contrast heightened the song’s emotional resonance and underscored the album’s exploration of transformation and spirituality.

Lux, released in November of the previous year, represents a bold evolution in Rosalía’s artistic journey. It follows two earlier critically lauded projects, Motomami from 2022 and El Mal Querer from 2018, and has been described in Rolling Stone as unparalleled in the current musical landscape. The album intricately weaves together classical sounds, operatic references, and lyrics in fourteen different languages, constructing a rich, textured soundscape that challenges genre conventions.

The album’s concept revolves around a widescreen emotional narrative centered on feminine mystique, transformation, and spirituality. Rosalía has indicated that the themes were inspired by her exploration of saints and religious experiences, drawing from her Catholic upbringing but also recognizing common threads across various global faiths. She emphasizes a shared human confrontation with fear, a motif that connects diverse cultures and underscores the album’s universal message.

Commercially, Lux has achieved notable success, topping multiple Billboard charts including Top Classical Albums, Top Latin Albums, and World Albums in the United States. This cross-chart appeal highlights Rosalía’s ability to transcend traditional genre boundaries and reach varied audiences.

Following the recent conclusion of her Lux Tour, Rosalía has not announced any new live dates. However, industry observers anticipate her presence at forthcoming major Latin music events. Lux has secured nominations for prestigious accolades, including the Billboard Latin Music Awards and the Latin Grammy Awards, where Rosalía is expected to perform and possibly garner further recognition.

Rosalía's SNL performances underscore her position as an innovative force in contemporary music, merging her classical training with a modern pop sensibility. The visual and sonic elements of her presentation reflect an artist committed to pushing artistic boundaries while maintaining a deep connection to cultural and spiritual roots. Details regarding her next projects or touring plans remain limited at this time.