January 24, 2026

Tablao Flamenco Las Setas Seville: A Modern Night of Flamenco Under the Mushrooms

By W2SFadmin

We are in the heartland of flamenco, the wonderful city of Seville, checking out venues for our new guide on Where to See Flamenco in Seville. It is Friday evening and we are at Tablao Flamenco Las Setas. This has to be one of the coolest venues we have ever visited.

First impressions at Tablao Flamenco Las Setas

Las Setas is placed beneath the extraordinary wooden structure officially known as the Metropol Parasol, but universally referred to by locals as Las Setas, the mushrooms. It is one of those places that feels unmistakably modern, yet completely at ease in a city so deeply rooted in tradition. Finding the entrance, tucked away beneath the giant structure, can take a moment, but once inside, you immediately know you’re in a special place.

The auditorium is rectangular with well-raked seating, so everyone gets a clear view of the stage. The predominant colour is red. Red lighting, red seats and a warm theatrical glow that immediately feels welcoming. The raised tabla is generous in size, high enough to give presence to the dancers but close enough to highlight every footfall. There are around 150 seats, and on the night we visited, the room filled up nicely with a mixed audience of locals and visitors, all buzzing with anticipation.

Lighting, atmosphere and a very civilised welcome

One of the first things that caught our eye was the lighting design. It is genuinely impressive and used to full effect throughout the show. The walls are fitted with rows of circular discs shaped like mushrooms, echoing the architecture above. These change colours as the performance unfolds, starting with deep reds and shifting through oranges, yellows, greens and blues. It sounds theatrical on paper, but in reality it is beautifully planned and never distracts from the artists on stage.

A welcome drink is included in the ticket price, a very civilised touch, and there is a bar along one end of the room. The tapas and drinks are sensibly priced, the service is slick and attentive and the overall vibe is fun and upbeat rather than formal. It feels like a night out, not a ritual.

Before the show begins, black and white footage of historic flamenco plays on screens behind the stage. Names of the artists and even the palos are displayed as the performance progresses, a thoughtful detail for anyone keen to learn more about flamenco without having to consult a programme or whisper questions to their neighbour. There are dozens of different palos, and it takes time and perseverance to recognise them with confidence. Here the work is done for you!

The guitar sets the tone

The evening opens with guitar, and what a way to start. The guitarist, El Perla, delivered a solo that immediately commanded attention. His playing is powerful and precise, with an aggressive right-hand attack, crisp golpes and fast, clean picado runs. The sound is expertly amplified, allowing every nuance to reverberate through the room. It was one of those moments where you feel the audience collectively lean forward.

Dance, colour and crowd-pleasing flair

Dance followed, and from the outset it was clear that this is a modern, crowd-pleasing show that still respects the form. A guajira appears early on, with fans and a distinctly Cuban flavour, danced by two female dancers in shimmering gold dresses. As the mushrooms on the walls glowed orange, the whole room seemed to shift with them.

There was an alegria from Cadiz, joyful and expansive, though the confined space of the tabla challenged the dancer slightly when handling her beautiful yellow bata de cola. Still, the energy was infectious. One of the standout performers of the night, Natalia Alcala is tall and sinuous, with a strong stage presence and a contemporary feel. Her dancing combines power with elegance, her shapes bold and expressive, her costumes beautifully chosen, from yellow polka dots to a striking blue shawl paired with the flowing bata de cola.

Cante, tradition and moments of surprise

Vocally, the show was in very safe hands. The singers delivered intense and confident performances, supported by imaginative lighting and unexpected stagecraft. One particularly memorable moment is a staged martinete, traditionally an unaccompanied, deeply serious work song associated with blacksmiths. Here it was presented with walking sticks and castanets, giving it a theatrical edge while retaining its raw intensity. A third dancer entered the auditorium during this number, breaking the boundary between stage and audience to great effect.

Later, a zambra sequence made a nod to Seville’s Romani traditions, with richly coloured skirts, coin detailing and circling frame drums under green and purple lighting. Partner work followed, then a striking male solo. Juan Jose Villar dances with a very contemporary physicality, exploring off-balance movements, sharp angles and explosive footwork. At times his style felt almost rock-infused as the performance built.

A joyful finale

The evening concluded, as it should, with a buleria fin de fiesta. Glittering overdresses appeared, rhythms accelerated and the cajon drove everything forward. It ‘s joyful, noisy and generous. We left feeling that the artists had given their all and enjoyed doing so.

Why Las Setas feels important

What makes Tablao Flamenco Las Setas particularly interesting is how confidently it embraces the present while honouring the past. Flamenco has always evolved, absorbing influences and responding to its surroundings. Seville has been a centre of flamenco for centuries, from informal gatherings to cafes cantantes, and later the tablaos that formalised performances for wider audiences. Las Setas feels like a natural continuation of that story, a twenty-first-century tablao in a thoroughly modern and unashamedly different setting.

For newcomers to flamenco, this is an accessible and exciting introduction. For those with more experience, there is plenty to admire, from strong guitar work to inventive staging and innovative production values. It is modern, but not superficial. Entertaining, but neither flashy nor tacky.

We had a superb night here. The show had a great atmosphere, excellent artists, clever use of visual space and production technology combined with a genuine sense of fun. If you are in Seville and looking for a flamenco show that feels current and alive, Tablao Flamenco Las Setas deserves a place high on your list.Experiences like this are exactly why we are working on our new Seville guide. Choosing the right flamenco venue can make all the difference, and places like Las Setas show just how vibrant and varied the scene still is. For us, this was a reminder that flamenco is not something preserved behind glass. It is happening right now, under the mushrooms, on a Friday night in Seville.