Daniel Rodilla

In an era where independent music culture often fights to survive against algorithms, corporate festivals and copy-and-paste line-ups, Gazpatxo Fest Cultura has emerged as one of the Valencian underground’s true success stories — a fearless, fiercely independent powerhouse built on passion, punk spirit and an unwavering love for live music.

The Valencia-based collective has spent years carving out its own lane within Spain’s alternative music scene, growing from grassroots promoters into a full-scale cultural force covering festivals, artist management, booking, record label services, communication, production and tour promotion. At the heart of Gazpatxo Fest Cultura is a simple philosophy: build scenes, support artists and keep independent culture alive. And that attitude runs through everything they do.

The company has become best known for its explosive live events and festivals, spearheaded by the legendary Gazpatxo Rock Festival — one of the longest-running independent festivals in the Valencian Community. Across more than two decades, the festival has welcomed over a hundred bands and built a loyal following thanks to its raw energy, community atmosphere and unapologetically alternative identity. But Gazpatxo FestCultura’s reach stretches far beyond one festival.

Their growing portfolio also includes events such as Festival Incendiari, Cinturó Jove Fest, Mallà Rock and FestCarròs, helping turn towns and venues across the region into meeting points for punk, rock, metal, ska, urban music and underground culture. Every event carries the same DNA: authentic artists, passionate crowds and the kind of atmosphere that reminds people why live music still matters.

Away from the stages and festival fields, Gazpatxo FestCultura has evolved into a true 360º music company. Through artist management, booking and promotion, the collective works closely with emerging and established acts alike, helping bands grow organically while maintaining their identity and independence. Their roster reflects the same rebellious energy that defines the company itself — artists with attitude, personality and something real to say.

The company’s record label and publishing arm further reinforces that commitment to independent music, giving artists a platform to release and promote their work without losing creative control. Combined with their expertise in communication, marketing and event production, Gazpatxo FestCultura has become a crucial engine within the Valencian music ecosystem.

More than just promoters, Gazpatxo FestCultura represent a movement — one rooted in DIY ethics, community spirit and a genuine belief in the power of underground music culture. In a scene constantly chasing trends, they continue doing things their own way: louder, bolder and with their feet firmly planted in the front row.

I recently managed to pry the ever busy Daniel Rodilla away from his desk for a coffee and a chat. This is what he had to say:

Daniel tell me about Gazpatxo

Well Gazpatxo Fest Cultura is a company based in Valencia; we are basically a 360 company around music. Live music mainly – we are a management company, a booking company, promoter of various festivals and we have also just started a new record label.

And you have some fantastic bands on your roster..

Yes! That’s what we think too! We work with great bands like El Reno Renardo, Manifa, Rat-Zinger, The Locos, Porco Bravo, Reina Mora, Cactus XpresidentX, MOMO, Punk Sailor and many more. We are also looking to take on new bands, so the roster is always growing.

The first time we met was at Gazpatxo Rock Festival in Ayora, last year. You must tell us about this because I didn’t believe there could be such a cool festival in the mountains, in the middle of winter (Valencian winter but still cold!)

It’s basically the beginning of the company! Alfonzo who is one the guys from Gazpatxo FestCultura, he founded the festival in 2006, 20 years ago, together with some friends. It was his hometown, he liked Rock and heavy music – so he decided to create a festival there! The first artist was Benito Kamelas – who you photographed last year when you came. They kept repeating the festival every year and in 2019 that’s when the office came and we started working on all the different things that we do now. That’s basically the reason it started – young guys in a small town looking for something to do so they started a festival – and here we are 20 years later!

There is something quite magical about Gazpatxo Rock Festival in the fact that it stops for lunch and everyone has a bowl of free Gazpachos Ayorinos.

Yes! It’s a Spanish urban legend that lunch is sacred. I would say it’s possibly one of the only festivals where we give free food for everybody. You come and around 1pm you get your free plate of Gazpachos Ayorinos, basically because we understand it’s our obligation to ensure everyone has lunch. If you are coming to a festival at midday, you cannot expect people to go through till early hours of the following day with no food. Also, it’s part of the cultural heritage of Ayora. So it’s giving back to the people.

Looking ahead you have Llos Festival this coming Saturday.

Yes, it’s a small festival about an hour from Valencia city. We have great artists performing – Narco, Sons of Aguirre, Malifeta, Kamizazes, Cactus, Gargall, Reina Mora and Santy Mataix. It’s the first year we have been involved in this festival. It’s run by the people of Aielo de Malferit and they have been running the festival for 6 years now and they needed to grow the festival. So, we spoke to them and now we are involved this year. 

Then after that you have Incendiari in Burjassot, which is April 18^th.

Yeah, not even 20 days after Llos, we have this festival. It’s a different style of music, less heavy – here we call it post punk. I think you would call it Indie music. It’s a smaller festival, maybe 1000 people and again great artists – La Paloma, Ultralágrima, Biznaga, Grande Amore, Lucy.
 Then in June in Valencia City we have the punk rock event with Soziedad Alkoholika, Angelus Apátrida, Bala, Deaf Devils and Vaire at the Nits De Vivers.

Moreover you are managing the artists and their bookings, running the record label – how do you get time to relax?

We go to concerts to relax! So, in my free time I play music and go to concerts! Music is my life. I am from Lliria, its a smaller town that’s known for its music – mainly classical music. So, every family has a musician. You start playing music when you are young, I think I was seven years old. It’s my life. I play trombone!

Are you in a band right now?

Yeah, I play with a band called La Trocamba Matanusca, its instrumental music. I used to play in a band called Funkiwisand another called The Dance Crashers, from here in Valencia. I have played with all different bands, anyone who calls me and pays me money (LOL)



What is your favourite band? Or does it change depending on your mood? 


Well, it changes maybe every week. Sometimes every day. This week I am back into the Arctic Monkeys, last week it was darker, then I might go back to Spanish punk rock. Anything that’s punk, rock and good quality – I probably like. 

If you could book any band or artist (dead or alive) for one of your festivals. Who would it be?

Right now, I would love to book Berri Txarrak. I love them, we love them in the office, and it might just be because they are not available. But I would love to book them! 



What are the plans moving forwards Gazpatxo FestCultura?

Gazpatxo Rock will continue of course, Llos will continue, we try and plan long term, but it is difficult because with artists touring schedules it can be difficult to plan long term. We have all of 2026 pretty much booked now, but we are just starting on 2027. One of the ideas is that the record label will grow. 

We are always trying to work more and better, so that’s basically the idea. Keep growing, but always ensuring we are doing good quality work and respecting as much as we can everybody.

Finally, what is music to you? 



Well as we were saying music for me is the most important art that a human can have. It’s my life. I think that people who say they do not like music, they do like it but they just haven’t realised it yet. You cannot go anywhere without hearing music. You go shopping, you hear music, you go driving, there is music. If you are sad you listen to music, if you are happy you listen to music. So, for me music its life! Want to know more? Check out: Gazpatxo Fest Cultura