The Spanish group La Oreja de Van Gogh has officially announced the return of Amaia Montero, nearly 18 years after the Basque singer left the band.
“Right now, we’re looking at each other and, without saying a word, we’re all thinking the same thing: it’s happening. The emotion we feel can’t be put into words. It’s been a year here in San Sebastián, our little hideaway in the world, writing new stories and remembering all the old ones,” the band said in an official statement.
It was also reported that Pablo Benegas, while still part of the group, has decided to take a break to focus on his family and explore new professional challenges. The band, now embarking on a new chapter, wished him “all the best” until their paths cross again.
Amaia Montero’s return comes a year after Leire Martínez left the group, following a 17-year run as the band’s lead vocalist.
The announcement ends months of speculation about Montero’s comeback, rumors that were first confirmed in April by actress Cayetana Guillén Cuervo, one of Amaia’s closest friends.
“I’ve known for a long time,” Cuervo revealed, “but she asked me, please, not to tell anyone.”
On November 19, 2007, Amaia Montero officially announced her departure from La Oreja de Van Gogh to begin a solo career, following 11 years with the band.
As a solo artist, Montero recorded four albums, though none achieved the same level of reach or acclaim as her work with the group.
By 2012, Montero showed signs of exhaustion compared to previous tours, and she ultimately decided to cancel the Amaia Montero 2 Tour to rest and compose her third solo album, performing only a few concerts in Spain and two shows in Mexico. Her last solo production was Nacidos para creer (2018).
In 2022, while preparing her fifth album, Montero withdrew from the public eye due to severe depression and anxiety, which led her to enter a mental health clinic.
Her condition became public that same year after she posted a photo on social media where she appeared unkempt, alarming fans. After a long period of rest and healing, she reemerged in 2024.
In October 2024, Montero surprised fans by releasing a new song, Tormenta Perfecta, across all digital platforms. By December, she officially announced her return to music through her Instagram account.
The band later shared a video and statement confirming her return:
“Playing together again, closing our eyes to listen better and not being able to hold back a smile— is this really happening?” the message began.
It concluded with:
“La Oreja de Van Gogh was born out of friendship and a passion for music — and with both completely renewed, we begin a new chapter in our journey,”
signed by Álvaro, Haritz, Xabi, and Amaia.
La Oreja de Van Gogh released its first album in 1998, Dile al sol, which included hits like El 28 and Cuéntame al oído. From the very beginning, the group demonstrated their gift for creating pop anthems. In 2000, their success skyrocketed with the album El viaje de Copperpot, which sold over one million copies and reached number one with songs that became timeless classics such as La playa, Soledad, París, Mariposa, Cuídate, and Pop.