Classical music, flamenco and pop - Andalucia has it all. |
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Music and Dance Festivals in Andalucia
On our music and dance festivals page we give an overview of the more important and established festivals or series of concerts which are likely to be held every year around the same dates.
This page is an archive of festivals that are no longer. We record them for the archive, for the nostalgic and those simply looking for info about the next edition. When a festival organisor decides not to hold a following edition of there is rarely an anouncement, so we list them here.
No longer :(
FIESTA Marbella, Marbella Arena, Puerto Banus
FIESTA Marbella in 2024 was to be a 5-day music and dance event Marbella Arena in Puerto Banus, between the 7th and 11th of August. A celebration of global music and talent. Featuring global superstars Pete Tong, Nancy Ajram, Blue and the best House and Drum and Bass DJs. Pete Tong Ibiza Classics on Saturday 10th August went ahead. A fascinating mix from superstar DJ Peter Tong MBE, music producer and radio presenter, with composer Jules Buckley and the Essential Orchestra. In 1991, Pete Tong launched his Friday night show, branded the Essential Selection on BBC Radio 1 and Pete Tong is the longest serving DJ on BBC Radio One. Pete Tong was one of the organisers of the inaugural International Music Summit in Ibiza in 2008. Jules Buckley is an English conductor, composer and arranger based in Berlin. In 2008, Jules Buckley became Principal Guest Conductor of the Metropole Orkest, a jazz and eclectic music orchestra based in Hilversum, and Chief Conductor from 2013. However the other four nights were cancelled because "The transitory nature of Marbella in the summer and the reliance on last minute sales meant it became a too big a risk, which ultimately led to this decision." The cancelled events were Arena of Dreams, House Music Night by global dance music radio station Centreforce 883 and dance music brand Clockwork Orange. Nancy Ajram's Arabian Nights. Queen of Arab Pop Nancy Ajram was to perform her first concert in mainland Spain. Bringing together artists from the Middle East including singers, dancers, DJs and a set from Aimar Habibi. Blue Generation Music. Award-winning British boy band Blue. Drum n Bass Club Night, promised as the biggest D ‘n’ B line up Spain has ever seen.
Cala de Mijas Festival 2024 - Cancelled on 26 April 2024
After two high profile editions the Cala Mijas festival promoters, Last Tour announced the cancellation of the Cala Mijas Festival 2024 on the 26th April 2024. The dates for 2024, published immediately after the 2023 festival were 28th to 30th August 2024. No artists had been announced and ticket sales had not commenced. In spite of months of problems between the promoter and the Town Hall that you can read about on our Mijas Festival 2024 page, the festival continued to be advertised misleading tourists booking their holidays. 2023 Festival report. More info about 2024 >
Andalucía Big Festival - no 2023 edition, unlikely 2024 edition?
The organisers of 2022 Andalucia Big festival, Mad Cool announced on 4 April 2023 that there would not be a 2023 (second) edition. The inaugural event was announced on 7th April 2022 by Juan Marin (former Andalucia regional tourism regional minister) who pointed out that the economic benefit of the event would be in excess of 25m €. Mad Cool cited a change in the Administration caused delay in negotiations for a second edition and stated "Negotiations for an Andalucia Big Festival in 2024 will resume after Easter 2023 with the Junta de Andalucía, Malaga City Council and the Diputación of Malaga". We don't know whether negotiation ever restarted, as there have been no anouncements either by the Mad Cool or by the Andalucia Regional Tourism minister. One assumes that that the latter has now allocated the budget elsewhere even though it gave the 2022 EU funded even such a glowing economic scorecard. More info, and report of 2022 edition.
Gibraltar Music Festival
This two-day festival founded by Gibraltar government, since 2017 partnered with MTV and officially known as 'MTV presents Gibraltar Calling' music festival, is headlined by well-known bands from the UK and USA. The festival takes place over Friday and Saturday in early September at the Victoria Stadium, with bands playing on three stages, from the afternoon until the early hours; the first edition was in 2012 with Jessie J, Ali Campbell (UB40) and Jetstream. 2013 saw Emeli Sandé, Olly Murs, 10cc, Gabrielle Aplin, Texas, Level 42, Lawson, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Afterhours, The Propellers, Bank, Guy Valarino, April. 2015 with Duran Duran, Paloma Faith, Kings of Leon and Madness. Artists in 2016 were Stereophonics, Travis, Brian Ferry, All Saints, Stereophonics, Jess Glynne, KT Tunstall and NE-YO. 2017 were Ricky Martin, Fatboy Slim, Charli XCX, Years & Years, The Vaccines, Craig David, Steve Aoki, Clean Bandit, Bananarama, Black Box, Glen Matlock, Go West, Midge Ure, Village People, Tinie Tempah, The Amazons, Bastille, Kaiser Chiefs, Hinds, Jonas Blue, Rozalla. Artists in 2018 were Stormzy, Rag 'n' Bone Man, Two Door Cinema Club, Sister Sledge, Suzi Quatro, Boomtown Rats. In 2019 the festival was held, for the first time, at the Europa Point Leisure Complex whereas all previous festivals were held at Victoria Stadium lineup was Take That, Tom Walker, Liam Gallagher, Lighthouse Family, Enrique Iglesias, Goldierocks, King Calaway, Mel C, Pete Doherty, Sigala, Esc4pe, The Views (local band), Rick Astley, Crimson Clover, Thrifty Malone, Jacver, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Uriah Heep, Nazareth, Killer Queen, Slade, 10cc, David Essex. The event was not held in 2020. On 3rd September 2021 a local music festival was held. No event nor announcement in 2022.
Alamos Beach Festival, Estepona
Electronic indie music and dance festival. First edition in 2015 when 20.000 attended. Up to 2017 Los Alamos beach festival was held mid July at Los Alamos beach, Torremolinos (Malaga). In 2018 it moved to Estepona Recinto Ferial primarily to avoid noise complaints. It also added an extra day to become Wed to Sat/Sun. According to the organisers, more than 70.000 attended the festival in 2018 between the 1st and 5th August. Armin Van Buuren was early artist to be confirmed. Marco Carola headlined Sat night. Five stages featuring DJs. Previous headlines included Martin Garrix, Jamie Jones, Axwell & Ingrosso, Davide Squillace, Kryder, Borgore, Joseph Capriati, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Andrea Oliva, Sander van Door. Camping area provided. 2019 dates were 31st July to 3rd August 2019 when day tickets were 39€. Cancelled in 2020. No announcement in 2021. No festival nor announcement info published for 2022 and website losalamosbeach.com no longer available. The website has sime returned as a one page DJ photo with the words Los Álamos Beach Festival ¿Volveremos a bailar?
Tarifa Live Festival
First edition of a wide ranging series of summer concerts organised by the Town Hall. Concerts were due take place in open air football stadum with seated and social distancing rules. Concerts on 9 July 2021 Malamanera Tarifa and 10 July Nathy Peluso were cancelled due to high wind. On 15 July the organisers announced that following instructions from Junta de Andalucia (due to the high; overer 1.000 AI(14d) Coronavirus rate in Tarifa) the remaining series was 'posponed until next year' These would have been 27 July Amaral, 31 July Jorge Drexler, 6 August Elyella, Ginebras, Karavana, 7 August La Mari de Chambao, 14 August Carmen Boza, 20 August Mr. Kilombo, 27 August Los Zigarros, The electric alley, Santísima, 28 August Rigoberta Bandini. No festival nor announcements in 2022.
AlRumbo Festival, Chipiona
Three nights of dance and pop music at this festival in the seaside town of Chipiona (Cadiz) in mid-July. With its own camping area, the festival was founded in 2010 and had featured international acts such as Lauryn Hill, Cypress Hill, Manu Chao and Chambao; in 2015 The Prodigy headlined. For 2013 to 2017 the venue moved to the larger on Avenida de la Musica in Urb. Costa Balena with one stage with up to 60 acts performing, and an 50.000 revellers in 2016. Was the third biggest music festival in Spain. Tickets from 29€ for an intelligent wristband with chip. Camping area called Zona de Descanso. Confirmed acts for 2017 were Mala Rodriguez, La Raiz, Natos y Waor, Chambao, La Pegatina, Fyahbwoy & Forward ever band, Narco, Green Valley, Foyone, Ayax y Prok. Dates for 2017 were 12 - 15 July. The 2017 festival returned to Chiclana as an election pledge by the Mayor, José Maria Roman, this time was in the hot inland million m2 site of La Lomo del Puerco nearer Conil. Sadly the event was cancelled one week before with 20.000 tickets sold. The organisers blame the mayor and the Chiclana Town Hall for bureaucracy, more info in turn the Town Hall held a press conference to blame to organisers for internal and provider problems. lack of capital, not providing legal documents and owing money on previous editions. More info. Drone footage posted on social media showed that no stage or infrastructure had been constructed one week before the event. 2017 dates were cancelled.
alrumbofestival.com.
Tarifeando, Tarifa
This festival in Tarifa (Cadiz) had its first edition in 2015 as Tarifeando Sound Festival, when it was headlined by Chambao supported by Juanito Makande, and proved extremely popular. Tarifeando took place in the Tarifa football ground in mid-August. In 2016 (20th and 21st August) Juanito Makande headlined and was supported by Muchachito, Mario Diaz, Tomasito, Captain Combarde, Diego Carasco, La Trueke and Malamanera. In 2017 (19 August 2017) headine was Les Castizos, O'Funk'illo, Mala Rodrigues, Estricnina, No Me Pisas que llevo Chanclas, D'Callaos, Astola and Santisima. No info regarding 2018 ever published.
Chanclas, Montilla
This festival in the wine-making Cordoba town started in 2014 as a one-day event with about 3,500 attending and pop, rock, indie, electronic and flamenco acts. In 2016 (19 - 20 August 2016) the festival increased to two days and moved to the larger 10,000-capacity Lucena football stadium. Amaral headlined, supported by Izal, Supersubmarina, La Gran Pegatina and Juanito Makandi. There was not a 2017 edition.
Southpop, Isla Cristina
Spanish indie music festival on the Huelva coast. First edition was in 2008; it was called "Santa Teresa South Pop Festival Isla Cristina" until 2014. Venue was Auditorio del Parque, Calle del Arquitecto Aramburu Maqua s/n. A smaller Sevilla Southpop takes place in early May. Free camping and free bus from Seville. 30€ one day ticket, 45€ both days. 9th to 11 September 2016 was last edition featuring León Benvante, Hola A Todo El Mundo, Papaya, Exsonvaldes, Neuman, Novedades Carminha, Viva Suecia, El Imperio del Perro, King Cayman, Meneo.
Granapop, Granada
Independent rock and pop bands from Granada and Spain play in this one-day grass-roots music festival in November; the first year was 2012. The festival always donates funds, often 100% admission to charitable causes such as food banks. The Venue was Sala El Tren. The last edition was 19 November 2016. The organisers did hold special benefit event called 'Music to wake up' on 14 December 2018 with Koel, Nixon, Siolé and Soundbay.
Lolatownfest, Cadiz
The Cadiz city festival organised by a grass root group of young music enthusiasts for new and emerging bands in 2013. The competition is open to bands playing rock, funk, pop, blues, soul. It usually takes place in the first weekend of August over two days. In 2016 it was 5th and 6th August invited artists included Tomasito, Made Rockonplanet, Smokers die Young and Sesion con Chagar. The competition finalists were Becky and the Holograms, Beggar's House, Chucrut. The first editions were held in El Pelicano Music Café but with support from town hall and local radio stations the sixth edition in 2018 took place in the magnificent Baluarte de la Candelaria the old fort that is part of the sea walls overlooking the bay. Entrance is free.
No news for 2022.
Rocket Festival, Alhama de Granada, 3 editions, last held 2008.
El Pomelo Festival, Estepona, 4 editions, last held 2014.
Festival de Musica Española de Cadiz, Cadiz city, 12 editions, last held 2014.
Jimena International Music Festival, Jimena de la Frontera, 6 editions, last held 2006.
Rock and River Blues Festival, Puente Genil, 8 editions, last held in 2013.
Territorios, Sevilla, 17 editions, last held in 2015.
AnfiRock Sound Fest, Isla Cristina
Music festival in the seaside town of Isla Cristina on the Huelva coast, with national and international bands. First edition was in 2013 and dates for 2017 were Fri 23rd to Sunday 25th June. In 2018 it took place on 14th and 15th of September. Artists such as Depedro, Aurora, FAVX, VULK, Sisteray played at the festival. Tickets were 25 € for both days and camping 18 € for one day at Camping Giralda, and special deals at Barcelo Hotel. Organised by Asociación Cultural Costaluzfest and the Area de Juventud del Ayuntamiento de Isla Cristina. The festival did not take place in 2019 as such, instead Happy Summer End with bands Pecesbarba, RaRa and Rusty River on 14th September 2019 in Parque San Bartolomé de la Torre. There was no 2020 nor 2021 nor 2022 event.
Arte Sano Festival, San Pedro Marbella Arte Sano Festival was the biggest free alternative festival on the Costa del Sol, and took place on the last weekend in July on San Pedro Alcántara seafront from about 2004 to 2019. It was cancelled in 2020 for Covid and never restarted. More>