Amaia Montero rejoins La Oreja de Van Gogh as Pablo Benegas steps away

Spanish pop band La Oreja de Van Gogh has officially announced the return of Amaia Montero, the group’s original vocalist, marking a major reunion in Spanish pop music.

The comeback follows the departure of Leire Martínez, who fronted the band for nearly seventeen years, and coincides with the temporary exit of guitarist Pablo Benegas, one of the group’s founding members.

In an emotional statement posted on their official website, the band confirmed that they are “returning to their roots” with Montero, rekindling the musical partnership that defined their early success. “Right now, we’re looking at each other and, without saying anything, we’re all thinking: it’s happening,” the statement read. The group added that they have spent the past year in San Sebastián, writing new material and reflecting on their history together.

Benegas’s departure, which the band described as temporary, will allow him to focus on his family and explore new professional opportunities. Despite stepping away, he remains part of the band’s legacy and is expected to stay connected to their projects.

La Oreja de Van Gogh was formed in 1996, when Benegas met Montero and invited her to join the group. Together, they achieved widespread success with albums like Dile al sol and El viaje de Copperpot, becoming one of Spain’s most beloved pop acts. Montero left in 2007 to pursue a solo career, while Martínez successfully carried the band’s legacy forward.

Now, with Montero’s return, fans are eager to see how this new chapter will blend nostalgia with renewed creativity.