Songs in the Key of She, a live music series focused on promoting female artists, will feature Spanish singer-songwriter LauraB at Constellation in Chicago this Saturday. The series is organized by Torito Artists, an international artist management and production company based in Chicago.
Justine Espoz, executive director of Torito Artists, said the goal is to address the underrepresentation of women in the music industry. “It’s not just about putting women on stage. It’s about putting amazing women on stage … Because our stories are not going to be told by men, because our struggle is not going to be told by men, it’s extremely important for women to be on stage,” Espoz said.
LauraB, who is from Andalusia, Spain, will make her Chicago debut as part of this event. Her music blends modern folk with traditional Andalusian influences and addresses themes related to womanhood and inequality. According to Torito Artists’ website, her songs also reflect social justice concerns.
“The themes that are explored are the ones that follow me throughout my musical career, which are based on my experiences, and my way of feeling and living life as a woman. Social justice is also very important,” LauraB said.
Speaking through a translator with Block Club Chicago, LauraB described facing skepticism from the industry due to sexism. She said she has had to work harder than male colleagues who often receive more initial trust. Espoz explained that these experiences made LauraB a fitting choice to open the series: “She’s an awesome person to start with because she fully understands the struggle … I felt like her music had a point of view that was really important.”
During her performance in Chicago, LauraB will present new material along with tracks from her recent album “Montaña Rusa” and EP “El Faro.” While all lyrics are in Spanish, Espoz believes English-speaking audiences can appreciate their poetic qualities. She emphasized that although the focus is on female performers, everyone is welcome at these shows: “We love to have male supporters enjoying that music too, and understanding that they also play a big role in supporting women and supporting the art that they create. We have to be a community here,” Espoz said.
LauraB will perform alongside an all-female band featuring Elena Jimenez (accordion/clarinet), Paqui Benitez (backing vocals), and Macue Narbona (percussion). This ensemble dynamic stands out as uncommon according to Espoz. LauraB noted their collaboration feels like being part of a sisterhood: “There’s equity on the stage that nobody has to shine brighter than anybody else,” she said.
The group was already touring in the United States when Espoz arranged additional performances in Chicago and New York for this series.
“We are very excited to be in Chicago,” LauraB said. “It’s a city that I want to get to know, that I’m looking forward to seeing, and where I really want to have a really great exchange with the locals.”
Espoz hopes Songs in the Key of She will encourage cultural exchange by bringing international musicians into U.S venues—a process she describes as expensive and complex but now possible thanks partly to grant funding via Torito Artists’ nonprofit arm.
“For me, this is very personal. I want them to see my city. I want my city to see them,” Espoz added.
Plans for later events include three other international female acts performing throughout 2026: Pascuala Ilabaca from Chile (spring), The Leila from Morocco (summer), and Las Añez—twin sisters from Colombia—in fall; exact dates beyond April 28 remain unannounced.
Espoz expressed hope for making Songs in the Key of She an ongoing opportunity for audiences “to discover new music in general,” while highlighting contributions made by women worldwide toward both musical innovation and gender equality: “where people can come and discover new music in general, but also see what women from around the world are doing to progress music and to progress the rights of women.”
Tickets remain available for Saturday’s concert at Constellation located at 3111 N Western Ave.
