Loco Club doesn't seem to have a programme so much as a personality disorder. One night it's synth-pop from the future. The next it's Americana from another continent. Then blues, indie rock, power pop, punk, jazz, cumbia and something you can't quite explain but absolutely need to see. And thank God for that! As Valencia slides into another sweltering June, with terraces overflowing and beach bars doing a roaring trade, one of the city's most beloved music institutions is celebrating its 25th anniversary by continuing to do what it does better than anyone else: putting extraordinary musicians in a room with great sound and letting the magic happen. More than two decades after opening its doors, Loco Club remains one of the most important live music venues in the city, hosting around 200 concerts a year and providing a vital stage for international touring acts, Spanish favourites and emerging local talent. June opens with a blast of nostalgia and rock and roll attitude. Fast Kids, Bordes Libres and Imprescindibles bring a soundtrack packed with big riffs, familiar melodies and enough energy to shake the dust off your dancing shoes. It's exactly the sort of old-school live music experience that Loco Club has always championed. Then things start getting wonderfully strange. On June 14, Los Angeles synth-pop outfit Nuovo Testamento arrive with their irresistible cocktail of dark italo-disco, coldwave aesthetics and infectious electronic hooks. Imagine a neon-lit nightclub somewhere between 1984 and 2084 and you're getting close. Their rise through the international alternative scene has been rapid, and Valencia gets a front-row seat. If your tastes lean more towards raw authenticity, June 19 belongs to Robert Finley. The Louisiana blues and soul veteran has one of those voices that sounds as though it has lived a dozen lifetimes. Expect deep grooves, southern soul and the kind of performance that reminds you why live music remains one of humanity's greatest inventions. The following night sees Spanish pop-rock legends La Granja roll into town with their "Sixty Forever" show. For many Valencian music fans, this one feels personal. Their songs helped soundtrack countless road trips, summer nights and teenage adventures, and hearing them in the intimate surroundings of Loco Club promises to be something special. Then comes one of the month's genuine highlights. Superchunk arrive on June 21. Yes, that Superchunk. The North Carolina indie-rock pioneers who helped define American underground music in the 1990s are bringing decades of anthems, distortion and joyful noise to Valencia. For indie fans, this is not merely a concert. It's a pilgrimage. And because Loco Club refuses to let any month end quietly, the final week veers off into entirely different territory. There are summer celebrations with Los Roper, quirky pop veterans Un Pingüino en Mi Ascensor and the irresistible Latin rhythms of Ilan Amores, whose contemporary take on cumbia should ensure June ends with plenty of dancing and very little dignity. You arrive planning to have one beer and watch a band you've vaguely heard of. Three hours later you're buying vinyl, arguing passionately with strangers about obscure records and wondering how you've somehow discovered your new favourite artist on a random Thursday night. Ask local music fans where to find genuine live music in Valencia and Loco Club is almost always part of the conversation. Alongside a handful of other independent venues, it remains one of the city's essential homes for alternative culture and grassroots music. In a world increasingly dominated by algorithms, playlists and corporate festivals, Loco Club remains gloriously human. For tickets and more information: Loco Club

Last weekend, the beautiful gardens of Botànic Cullera once again became one of the most unique live music venues in the Valencian Community as music lovers, artists, families and friends gathered for another glorious edition of the increasingly popular daytime cultural gathering. Set amongst lush greenery, exotic plants and shaded pathways, this isn't your typical concert experience. It's a celebration of everything that makes Mediterranean life so special: music, art, food, sunshine and community. From the moment the gates opened, there was a sense that this was going to be one of those days people would be talking about long after the final note had faded. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Blue skies stretched endlessly above the gardens, the sun bathed the venue in golden light and the first cold beers of the day were already disappearing fast as visitors wandered through the stunning botanical surroundings. Then, at midday, Carolina Otero & The Someone Elses took to the stage and immediately proved why they are one of the most exciting live acts on the Valencian scene. Performing songs from their latest album Lilith lo sabe, the band delivered a set packed with energy, soul and personality. Otero's commanding stage presence and powerful vocals drew the audience in from the first song, while the band wrapped the gardens in a rich tapestry of rock, Americana, folk and blues-infused sounds. The beauty of Músiques i Art al Botànic is that nothing ever feels rushed. People sat beneath the trees, drinks in hand, soaking up the music while children explored the gardens and visitors wandered through the accompanying art exhibition. It felt less like a concert and more like a gathering of friends brought together by a shared love of culture. What makes these events so special is the vision behind them. Much of the credit belongs to Patrik, the driving force behind the project and son of the botanical garden's owner. Over the years he has quietly built one of the most charming and authentic cultural events in the region. Time and again he champions live music, giving both established and emerging artists a unique stage in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. His passion for supporting musicians and creating unforgettable experiences has turned Botànic Cullera into a destination for music lovers from across the Valencian Community. Every edition feels personal. Every artist feels carefully chosen. Every detail reflects someone who genuinely believes that music should be experienced in extraordinary places. As the afternoon unfolded, conversations flowed as freely as the beer. The crowd lingered long after the final encore, reluctant to leave such a perfect setting. And then came one of the great Valencian traditions — paella. The aroma drifted through the gardens as friends old and new gathered around tables beneath the Mediterranean sun. After a morning of live music, art and celebration, sharing a freshly prepared paella felt like the perfect ending to a perfect day. Events like Músiques i Art al Botànic remind us that live music doesn't always need giant stages, laser shows or arena-sized crowds. Sometimes all you need is a beautiful garden, an outstanding band, a cold beer, great food and passionate people determined to keep culture thriving. Carolina Otero & The Someone Elses provided the soundtrack. Patrik and his team provided the magic. And Botànic Cullera once again delivered one of the most memorable Sundays of the Valencian spring. Words and photos: Rhyan Paul

Some concerts feel like events. Others feel like memories being made in real time. Last Saturday, Iván Ferreiro delivered the latter as the former Los Piratas frontman took over the stage at Nits de Vivers and transformed Valencia's Jardines de Viveros into one giant open-air singalong. Performing as part of his acclaimed "Hoy x Ayer" tour celebrating 35 years in music, Ferreiro reminded everyone exactly why he remains one of Spain's most beloved and respected songwriters. As the sun finally disappeared behind the trees and the warm Mediterranean evening settled over the city, thousands gathered beneath the stars for one of the most anticipated nights of this year's festival. Nits de Vivers has built its reputation on combining great music, gastronomy and one of Valencia's most beautiful outdoor settings, and on Saturday everything aligned perfectly. Then came Ferreiro. Walking on stage to a hero's welcome, the Galician singer immediately had the crowd in the palm of his hand. His voice—instantly recognisable after three decades of defining Spanish alternative rock—floated across the gardens as fans sang along to songs that have become part of the soundtrack to their lives. The "Hoy x Ayer" tour celebrates an extraordinary 35-year career, and Ferreiro's set felt like a journey through generations of Spanish music. From treasured classics from his days with Los Piratas to the highlights of a solo career that has earned him cult status, every song was greeted like an old friend returning home. What makes Ferreiro special isn't just the songs. It's the way he delivers them. Few artists can move effortlessly between intimacy and grandeur. One moment the audience hung on every word in near silence; the next they were singing at full volume beneath the Valencian night sky. The connection between artist and audience never wavered. Around the concert, Nits de Vivers once again proved why it has become one of Valencia's essential summer events. Food stalls buzzed, drinks flowed, friends gathered under the trees and the atmosphere felt more like a celebration than a concert. Music, food and community blended together in exactly the way the festival was designed to do. By the time the final notes echoed through the gardens, nobody seemed in any hurry to leave. The crowd knew they had witnessed something special: not a flashy spectacle or a production built on gimmicks, but a master songwriter sharing 35 years of stories with an audience that knew every word. In an age of disposable playlists and fleeting trends, Iván Ferreiro remains something increasingly rare — an artist whose songs genuinely matter. And on a perfect Valencia night beneath the stars, those songs sounded better than ever. For Nits de Vivers, it was another triumphant evening in a festival that continues to establish itself as one of the highlights of Valencia's summer cultural calendar. Words and photos: Rhyan Paul

There are few better ways to spend a Saturday in Valencia than standing by the Mediterranean with a cold beer in hand, the sun blazing overhead, and live music ringing out across the marina. Last weekend, Concerts de La Pèrgola delivered exactly that as Argentine indie-rock favourites Bestia Bebé and Córdoba's post-hardcore heroes Viva Belgrado brought the 2026 spring season to a thunderous close. It wasn't just another concert. It was the final party before La Pèrgola shuts its doors for the summer, with the beloved lunchtime series now taking a well-earned break until November. From mid-morning, the crowd began gathering around Valencia's most unique concert venue. Nestled beside the water in the spectacular Marina de València, La Pèrgola has built a reputation for doing things differently. Forget dark clubs and sticky midnight venues. This is live music in broad daylight, with sea breezes, vermouth, beers, sunshine and friends sharing tables as bands soundtrack the weekend. As the midday sun climbed higher, Bestia Bebé took to the stage and immediately won over the crowd. The Buenos Aires outfit's mix of jangling guitars, football terrace energy and heartfelt indie-rock felt perfectly suited to the laid-back Mediterranean setting. Their songs about friendship, everyday life and youthful adventures carried effortlessly across the marina, creating one of those magical festival moments where band, audience and setting become inseparable. But if Bestia Bebé brought the smiles, Viva Belgrado brought the intensity. Long regarded as one of Spain's most compelling alternative bands, Viva Belgrado transformed the waterfront into something approaching controlled chaos. Their emotional blend of post-rock, screamo and atmospheric intensity hit with enormous force, yet somehow felt completely at home beneath blue skies and palm trees. Songs from their acclaimed catalogue exploded across the venue as fans sang every word back at the band. What makes La Pèrgola special is its refusal to follow the usual concert rulebook. Where else can you watch one of Spain's most celebrated underground bands while balancing a cold drink, sunglasses and the occasional desperate search for shade? The contrast between the scorching Valencian sunshine and Viva Belgrado's emotional storm only added to the experience. By the time the final notes rang out over the marina, there was a sense that everyone knew they were witnessing more than just another gig. This was the closing chapter of another remarkable season of Concerts de La Pèrgola — months of Saturday lunchtime gatherings that have once again proved why the series has become one of Valencia's most cherished live music traditions. Now the stage falls silent for the summer. The beer taps will keep flowing elsewhere, the beaches will fill, and Valencia's festival season will continue, but Saturday mornings at La Pèrgola will be missed. Thankfully, the wait isn't forever. The next chapter begins in November, and if last weekend's explosive farewell was anything to go by, the return cannot come soon enough. One last beer. One last singalong. One last dance under the Valencian sun. La Pèrgola signed off for summer in style. Words and photos: Rhyan Paul

Valencia in June is not for the faint-hearted. The city is already beginning to melt. Tourists are wandering around in a daze. The beaches are packed. The first festival wristbands are appearing. And somewhere between the old Turia riverbed and the edge of Campanar, a black-painted rock club continues doing what it has always done best: giving absolutely zero consideration to musical trends. Welcome to 16 Toneladas. While much of the city chases the next viral DJ or generic festival headliner, 16 Toneladas remains Valencia's spiritual home for people who still believe music should be loud, sweaty, unpredictable and occasionally life-changing. It's the place where garage rock collides with soul, post-punk shares a dressing room with Americana and nobody cares how many followers you've got on TikTok. And June's programme is another glorious exercise in musical chaos. Things kick off with legendary Spanish rock survivors Los Deltonos on June 6. Four decades into their career and still sounding like a bar fight between classic rock, blues and American roots music, they remain one of Spain's most criminally underrated live bands. Expect guitars, sweat and enough rock and roll swagger to power the city grid. The following night brings something completely different. Soul powerhouse Acantha Lang arrives with her seven-piece band, bringing award-winning vocals and enough groove to make the walls sweat. In a venue known primarily for distortion pedals and leather jackets, a night of authentic soul music feels like exactly the kind of curveball that makes 16 Toneladas so special. Then comes Austin TV. If you've never experienced Austin TV, imagine instrumental post-rock performed by masked musicians who somehow make the absence of vocals feel more emotional than most singers ever manage. The Mexican cult heroes return to Valencia on June 10 carrying the DIY spirit that helped define an entire generation of Latin American independent music. This won't be a concert. It'll be a communal hallucination with guitars. June 12 turns the venue into something bigger than music. VVV, Belgrado, Los Manises and Defensa Eslava join forces for a benefit event supporting the Aida Youth Center in Palestine. It promises a collision of Valencia's alternative underground with a purpose that extends far beyond the stage. Expect intensity, emotion and a room packed with people who still believe music can mean something. Throughout the month, Tuesday nights belong to The New Classics Jam. Free entry, special guests and some of Valencia's finest musicians tearing through classic rock, soul and blues standards. It is one of the city's best-kept secrets and one of the few places where you might hear Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Cream and The Beatles reimagined by musicians who genuinely know what they're doing. And because this is 16 Toneladas, things get wonderfully weird towards the end of the month. On June 26, Mossèn Bramit Morera i Els Morts arrive with their bizarre cocktail of garage rock, rockabilly, horror stories, dark comedy and theatrical chaos. Imagine if a haunted house started a punk band and you've got the general idea. It sounds ridiculous. It probably is. It will almost certainly be brilliant. That, ultimately, is why 16 Toneladas matters. In an era when so much live music feels algorithmically generated, this little Valencia institution continues to champion artists who don't fit neatly into boxes. Rock bands, soul singers, post-punk outsiders, garage maniacs, blues obsessives and musical misfits all find a home here. Walk into 16 Toneladas on any given night and you'll find musicians loading gear through the front door, punters arguing about records at the bar and somebody discovering their new favourite band. No influencers. No VIP sections. No nonsense. Just music. For tickets and more information: 16 Toneladas

The 2026 edition of Nits de Vivers got off to a flying start last week as Madrid rock heavyweights Sidecars and local rising stars Bajo 79 delivered a memorable opening night in Valencia's beautiful Jardines de Viveros. With warm summer air, packed terraces and the unmistakable buzz that only live music can create, the city's favourite open-air concert series launched in style. For many in attendance, the evening was a perfect example of what Nits de Vivers does best: bringing together established national acts and exciting local talent in one of Valencia's most atmospheric concert settings. The festival's mix of music, gastronomy and the unique surroundings of the Viveros Gardens once again proved irresistible. Opening the night were Torrent's own Bajo 79, a young band formed in 2024 but already generating serious momentum. Drawing influence from artists such as Leiva, Viva Suecia, Amaral and Morgan, the quartet delivered a confident set packed with melodic indie-rock, heartfelt lyrics and a maturity beyond their years. Their songs balanced melancholy and optimism, winning over an audience that may have arrived for the headliners but quickly found themselves paying close attention to Valencia's newest rock hopefuls. There was an unmistakable sense of pride from the local crowd. Bajo 79 didn't simply warm up the stage—they seized the opportunity, proving that they belong on major festival bills and suggesting that much bigger stages lie ahead. Then came Sidecars. Arriving in Valencia as part of their Everest tour, the band demonstrated exactly why they remain one of Spain's most loved rock acts after nearly two decades together. Fresh from the release of their seventh studio album, Everest, Sidecars combined new material with the crowd-pleasing anthems that have earned them a devoted following across the country. From the opening notes, the connection between band and audience was immediate. The singalongs were loud, the energy relentless and the performance effortlessly polished. Sidecars have always excelled at turning personal stories into communal moments, and under the lights of Viveros that gift was on full display. What stood out most was the contrast—and chemistry—between the two bands. Bajo 79 represented the future of Valencian guitar music; Sidecars embodied the experience, confidence and songwriting craft that comes from years at the top of the Spanish rock scene. Together they created a bill that felt perfectly balanced and exactly what Nits de Vivers is all about. As the crowd filtered out into the Valencia night, there was a feeling that the festival had set an exceptionally high bar for the concerts still to come. For Sidecars it was another triumphant stop on the Everest journey. For Bajo 79, it may well be remembered as the night they truly arrived. And for everyone lucky enough to be there, it was a reminder that summer in Valencia sounds very, very good indeed. Words and photos: Rhyan Paul

As summer explodes across the city, the brand-new Roig Arena is preparing for its biggest month yet — a packed June schedule that swings from rock royalty and stadium-sized nostalgia to techno chaos, urban music and stand-up comedy. And leading the charge is none other than Rod Stewart, who will play his only Spanish concert of 2026 at the venue on June 30. Not bad for a venue that hasn’t even fully settled into the Valencia skyline yet. Built with a staggering €400 million private investment from Mercadona president Juan Roig, Roig Arena is already positioning itself as one of Spain’s most ambitious indoor venues. With a concert capacity of up to 20,000 people, the futuristic arena is rapidly becoming a major stop on the European touring circuit — and June’s programme proves exactly why. The month kicks off on June 13 with a heavy dose of Valencia music history as the venue hosts a tribute to the legendary Arena Auditorium. For decades, Arena was one of the city’s defining live music spaces, bringing generations of pop and rock tours to Valencia. Now that spirit returns with a nostalgic line-up featuring Immaculate Fools, Comité Cisne, Glamour, Los Inhumanos and Neon Collective, alongside DJs José Coll and Luis Bonias. For older Valencian gig-goers, this will feel less like a concert and more like a time machine. Then on June 19, the focus shifts completely with NMF Live Reality Faenna, bringing urban music and pop into the Auditorio Roig Arena. Artists including Faenna, Santa Salut and Reality promise a younger, high-energy crowd driven by live performances, DJ sets and social-media-era intensity. One night later, things get darker, faster and much louder. TUMU Festival lands on June 20 with a full-scale techno and hard techno takeover. Expect pounding BPMs, industrial visuals and a crowd ready to dance until collapse. In a city that has embraced electronic music culture for decades, TUMU looks set to become one of the summer’s defining underground events. On June 21, the arena changes direction once again as Belarusian comedian and internet personality Slava Komissarenko brings two stand-up performances to Valencia. Known for blending observational comedy with sharp social commentary, Komissarenko has built a huge following across Eastern Europe and online platforms alike. But the real nostalgia explosion arrives during the final week of June. On June 26, “This Is Michael” brings the music and spectacle of Michael Jackson back to life. Fronted by Lenny Jay — personally selected by the Jackson family — the show promises a full-scale celebration of the King of Pop’s career, complete with choreography, iconic costumes and stunning musical precision. Adding even more authenticity is legendary guitarist Jennifer Batten, whose work alongside Jackson during his greatest tours helped define the sound of his live performances. For fans of classic pop spectacle, this could easily become one of the arena’s standout events of the summer. Then comes June 27 and one of the most beloved tribute productions in the world: God Save The Queen. More than just another tribute act, the Argentine band has built an international reputation for recreating Queen’s live sound and visual energy with astonishing accuracy. Covering everything from the early glam-rock years to the emotional grandeur of Made In Heaven, the show promises massive singalongs, theatrical performances and all the bombastic energy that made Freddie Mercury one of rock’s greatest frontmen. And just when the month already seems overloaded, Roig Arena drops one final bombshell. June 30 belongs to Rod Stewart. More than 250 million records sold. Decades of global hits. A catalogue spanning rock, soul, folk and pop. Stewart remains one of the last true icons of classic British rock’n’roll, and Valencia will host his only concert in Spain this year. That alone makes the event enormous. Expect an evening packed with timeless anthems, from “Maggie May” and “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” to “Forever Young” and “Sailing.” Stewart’s voice may now carry the grit of age, but that weathered rasp has become part of his enduring charm — the sound of a survivor who has outlived entire musical eras while continuing to fill arenas around the world. And perhaps that’s the most impressive thing about Roig Arena’s June line-up: its sheer range. Few venues could jump from hard techno to classic rock, from mod nostalgia to Russian rap, from Michael Jackson spectacle to stand-up comedy, all within the same month. But that versatility is exactly what Roig Arena is aiming for as it establishes itself as Valencia’s new entertainment powerhouse. The city has waited a long time for a venue capable of competing with Europe’s major arenas. Now it finally has one. And June 2026 might just be the month Roig Arena truly announces itself to the world. For tickets and more information: Roig Arena

The heat is rising at FAR València 2026, and on July 17 the Marina Norte is set for a night drenched in neon, nostalgia and pure electronic energy as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark — better known simply as OMD — arrive in Valencia alongside the unstoppable sonic force of Rinôçérôse. Four decades after helping invent the sound of synth-pop, OMD remain one of the most influential electronic bands ever to emerge from the UK. Their catalogue is packed with era-defining classics — Enola Gay, Electricity, Souvenir, Maid of Orleans and If You Leave — songs that still feel futuristic despite shaping the sound of the 1980s. Their mix of emotional melodies, cold-wave electronics and huge pop hooks didn’t just soundtrack a generation; it laid foundations for modern electronic music itself. And live? OMD are anything but a nostalgia act. The band’s recent tours have been some of the biggest and most celebrated of their career, proving these songs still hit with enormous force in front of thousands of fans. With over 40 million records sold worldwide and a reputation for powerful, emotionally charged performances, their Valencia date feels less like a retro trip and more like a celebration of electronic music history still very much alive. Backing them up is the gloriously unpredictable sound of Rinôçérôse — the French duo who have spent decades smashing together house, dub, rock, techno and psychedelic textures into something completely their own. They are impossible to box in and even harder to ignore. Built around live instrumentation, samplers and a fierce stage presence, Rinôçérôse bring the kind of sweaty, hypnotic energy that turns a concert into a full-body experience. Set against the Mediterranean backdrop of Marina Norte, this promises to be one of the defining electronic nights of Valencia’s summer calendar — synth-pop royalty colliding with French underground intensity under the open sky. Expect dancing. Expect emotion. Expect a sea of people singing every word back into the warm night air. July 17 at FAR won’t just be a concert. It’ll be a full electronic communion by the sea. Tickets and info available via FAR València Official Site.

Last night at Roig Arena, Valencia did not simply host a metal concert — it witnessed the beginning of the end of one of thrash metal’s greatest empires. Megadeth arrived in the city to launch the Spanish leg of their long-awaited Farewell Tour 2026, and in front of nearly 10,000 fans, Dave Mustaine and company delivered a performance that felt historic, emotional and absolutely ferocious from beginning to end. From early evening, the atmosphere around Roig Arena already carried the electricity of something special. Black t-shirts flooded the streets surrounding the venue, beers flowed outside in the warm Valencian night air, and generations of metalheads gathered together knowing they were about to witness one final chapter from a band that helped shape heavy music itself. The engines were fired up early by The Cost and Catalan thrash maniacs Crisix, who arrived like a wrecking ball and immediately ignited the arena into chaos. Circle pits opened, fists filled the air and the crowd energy never dropped for the rest of the night. Then, just after 10pm, the lights died. And everything exploded. Megadeth emerged to deafening noise before tearing straight into “Tipping Point” and the immortal “Hangar 18”, immediately reminding everyone why they remain one of the most technically devastating live bands metal has ever produced. From there, “Skin O’ My Teeth” hit like a hammer blow as Roig Arena transformed into one giant roaring mass of movement and noise. Dave Mustaine looked completely locked in. Fierce, focused and commanding, the thrash icon led the band through a precision-engineered setlist stacked with classics, deep cuts and moments that felt genuinely emotional knowing this farewell tour marks the end of an era. “She-Wolf”, “Angry Again” and “I Don’t Care” kept the intensity at maximum levels, but the true collective eruption arrived during the unstoppable run of “Poison”, “Sweating Bullets” and the monstrous “Let There Be Shred”. Every lyric came screaming back from the crowd with frightening force as thousands of voices turned the arena into a metal cathedral. And then came one of the night’s biggest surprises. Megadeth’s stunning version of Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning” landed like a thunderbolt inside the arena — a moment that felt both symbolic and deeply powerful considering the complicated history connecting Mustaine and Metallica. Executed with absolute precision, it became one of those live moments that instantly enters concert folklore. By the final stretch, Roig Arena was completely possessed. “Tornado of Souls” unleashed wave after wave of jaw-dropping solos before “Peace Sells” detonated into one giant communal chant. Then came the inevitable destruction of “Symphony of Destruction”, which shook the building from floor to ceiling as every single person inside screamed the chorus back at full volume. And finally, the closing blow: “Holy Wars”. One last eruption of speed, fury and chaos from a band that helped invent the blueprint for modern thrash metal. As the final notes rang out across Roig Arena, there was a strange feeling hanging in the air — exhaustion, adrenaline and the growing realisation that bands like Megadeth simply do not come around anymore. This was not nostalgia. This was not a legacy act going through the motions. This was Megadeth reminding Valencia exactly why they became legends in the first place. Loud. Relentless. Untouchable. And for one unforgettable night at Roig Arena, thrash metal ruled the world once again.

One month from now, Valencia is going to explode. On June 26 and 27, BIGSOUND Festival returns for what is shaping up to be its biggest and boldest edition yet — two days where thousands of people will descend on the city for giant hooks, huge production, sunburnt singalongs, late-night chaos and one of the most stacked urban-pop lineups Spain will see all summer. And honestly? BIGSOUND no longer feels like just another festival. It feels like the official start of summer. For the last few years, BIGSOUND has quietly transformed itself into one of the most important mainstream music events in the country, blending reggaeton, urban music, pop, electronic sounds and massive crossover artists into one giant Mediterranean weekend. What began as a growing festival has now become a genuine cultural phenomenon — attracting fans from across Spain and beyond who arrive in Valencia ready to dance themselves into exhaustion beneath the June heat. This year’s lineup is absolutely enormous. Rels B. Lola Índigo. David Bisbal. Nathy Peluso. Rigoberta Bandini. Juan Magán. Ana Mena. Rusowsky. Lia Kali. Barry B. Hens. Samuraï. Despistaos. Dollar Selmouni. Yami Safdie. And that is barely scratching the surface. There is something smart about the way BIGSOUND builds its identity too. This is not a festival locked into one single genre or scene. It moves fluidly between reggaeton, pop, rap, indie crossover, electronic music and full-scale nostalgia moments, meaning the crowd changes constantly throughout the day. One minute you are screaming choruses with friends in the blazing sun, the next you are deep inside a giant collective dancefloor somewhere near midnight. And Valencia in late June is the perfect setting for it. Long hot days. Warm nights. Cold drinks. Thousands of people moving between festival stages, terraces, hotels and beach bars while the entire city slips into summer mode. BIGSOUND has become one of those weekends where Valencia genuinely feels electric. Perhaps the biggest talking point this year is the festival’s move to Parc Central de Torrent following the well-publicised changes surrounding large-scale events at the City of Arts and Sciences. But instead of scaling back, BIGSOUND has gone even bigger — promising more space, more stages, more shade, improved transport links, more food areas and a significantly expanded festival experience overall. Importantly, the lineup remains completely untouched. That means fans will still get David Bisbal’s only Comunitat Valenciana show of 2026, alongside huge exclusive appearances from Lola Índigo, Rels B and Nathy Peluso’s CLUB GRASA DJ set. And if previous editions are anything to go by, the atmosphere is going to be absolute madness. BIGSOUND crowds are loud, emotional and completely committed. They arrive early, stay late and somehow keep finding more energy long after midnight. This is a festival built for people who want to sing every word at full volume with thousands of strangers while summer officially begins around them. One month to go. One month until Valencia turns into one giant open-air party. One month until BIGSOUND 2026 takes over. Get your tickets here: BIGSOUND

As the Valencian sun starts heating up for summer and the city begins drifting towards beach days and late-night terraces, La Pèrgola is preparing to throw one final explosion of noise, sweat, guitars and good vibes before closing the season — and honestly, they could not have chosen a better way to do it. This Saturday 30 May, Festa KARROTS takes over La Pèrgola de La Marina for one last glorious lunchtime celebration by the sea, headlined by two bands perfectly built for emotional chaos in the sunshine: Viva Belgrado and Argentina’s unstoppable Bestia Bebé. And if this season at La Pèrgola has taught Valencia anything, it is that nobody does Saturday lunchtime quite like this place. Week after week, the iconic marina venue has become one of the city’s true cultural rituals — cold beers before midday, Mediterranean sunshine pouring across the crowd, friends dancing with sunglasses on, and live music echoing out across the waterfront while the sea breeze rolls through. It has been one of those seasons people will genuinely talk about for years. Now comes the final chapter before the summer break. Leading the charge are Viva Belgrado, one of the most respected and emotionally intense bands in Spain’s underground scene. Their ability to balance post-hardcore fury with moments of heartbreaking beauty has earned them a fiercely loyal following, and in the open-air atmosphere of La Pèrgola, their songs are guaranteed to hit with even more force. Expect raised fists, shouted lyrics and one final emotional release before everyone disappears into summer. Alongside them arrive Bestia Bebé, fresh from releasing their brand-new album Yendo rápido a ningún lugar — a record packed with huge guitar hooks, emotional honesty and that wonderfully addictive blend of indie rock, punk energy and football terrace spirit that has made them cult heroes across Latin America and beyond. One of the standout moments on the album comes via their collaboration with Diego Ibáñez from Carolina Durante on “Si me voy no significa que te quiera menos” — and if that song appears on Saturday, expect the entire marina to sing every word back at full volume. And honestly, what better setting could there be for all of this? Lunchtime concerts under blue skies. Ice-cold beers in hand. The Mediterranean sparkling behind the stage. Friends arriving early and staying all afternoon. Valencia doing what Valencia does best. There is always something bittersweet about the final La Pèrgola event before summer. The atmosphere becomes bigger, louder and more emotional because everyone knows this is the last dance for a while. The last chance to lose yourself in live music beside the sea before the city shifts into full summer mode. If the rest of the season is anything to go by, tickets will disappear fast. One final Saturday. One final party. One final explosion of guitars, sunshine and chaos at the marina before summer officially begins. Viva la música. ¡Viva La Pèrgola! For tickets and more information: La Pergola

After years away, Marmozets have not returned quietly. They have kicked the door back open with CO.WAR.DICE., a furious, emotional and brilliantly unpredictable comeback record that reminds everyone exactly why they became one of the most exciting British alternative bands of the last decade in the first place. For those unfamiliar with their story, Marmozets emerged from West Yorkshire in the early 2010s sounding like absolutely nobody else around them. Led by the explosive presence of Becca Bottomley alongside brothers Sam and Josh Macintyre and guitarist Jack Bottomley, the band fused post-hardcore chaos, math-rock precision, punk energy and huge melodic hooks into something thrillingly volatile. At a time when British rock risked becoming formulaic, Marmozets arrived like a controlled explosion. Their breakthrough album, The Weird and Wonderful Marmozets, turned them into one of the UK’s most talked-about heavy bands almost overnight. They toured relentlessly, destroyed festival stages and built a reputation for live performances that felt completely untamed. But after 2018’s Knowing What You Know Now, the band largely disappeared from the spotlight, leaving many wondering if Marmozets had quietly become another cult band lost to time. CO.WAR.DICE. answers that question emphatically. This is not simply a reunion album fuelled by nostalgia or obligation. This sounds like a band reborn. The ferocity is still here — those jagged riffs, the sudden tempo shifts, the chaos threatening to spill over the edges at any moment — but there is something deeper running through the record now. Parenthood, time away, personal growth and survival have clearly reshaped the emotional core of the band. The result is an album that feels sharper, wiser and more emotionally fearless without losing any of its bite. Becca Bottomley remains one of the most compelling voices in British rock. She does not merely sing these songs — she throws herself into them completely. One second she sounds fragile and reflective, the next she is detonating into full-throttle catharsis. Few frontpeople can shift between vulnerability and absolute aggression with this level of conviction. Tracks like “Cut Back” feel tailor-made to explode in sweaty festival tents this summer, balancing huge hooks with pure adrenaline-fuelled urgency. Meanwhile “Running With The Sun in Your Eyes” channels early-2000s groove-metal energy into something addictive and strangely euphoric. But what makes CO.WAR.DICE. genuinely impressive is its refusal to stay in one lane. The dreamlike fragility of “Dandy” reveals an entirely different side to the band — sparse, delicate and haunting — while “Keep Going Darling” drifts into experimental territory with pulsing loops and hypnotic atmosphere before unfolding into a stunning cinematic finale. The band’s willingness to embrace risk is exactly what keeps the album alive from start to finish. You can also hear the influence of the band’s expanded inspirations this time around. Elements of garage rock, art punk and even warped new-wave textures creep into the record, giving it a freshness that stops it ever feeling trapped by its own past. Lyrically, the album carries surprising emotional weight. Beneath the noise and aggression sits a record deeply concerned with humanity, connection and trying to leave the world in a better place than you found it. Becca herself describes the album as “a promise that we make to ourselves to leave this world in a better condition.” That sense of resilience and hope pulses through the entire record. Importantly, CO.WAR.DICE. never feels overproduced or sanitised. Produced largely by Johnathan Gilmore, known for his work with Biffy Clyro and Nothing But Thieves, the album still sounds dangerous. There is dirt under its fingernails. Every scream, riff and breakdown lands with physical force. And perhaps that is the biggest triumph here. In an era where so much alternative rock feels algorithmically polished and emotionally hollow, Marmozets still sound gloriously human. Messy when they need to be. Beautiful when they choose to be. Completely fearless throughout. CO.WAR.DICE. is not just one of the strongest comeback albums in recent memory — it is proof that Marmozets still belong at the front of modern British alternative music. Wild, emotional, inventive and alive. Exactly what rock music should sound like in 2026. for more information: Marmozets