Patti Smith, Bad Religion, Marilyn Manson, Slash, and Wilco headline the 25th anniversary of the Azkena Rock Festival

Turning 25 deserves to be celebrated at full volume. Azkena Rock Festival reaches this anniversary with the weight of a great history and the energy intact to keep forging ahead. On June 17, 18, and 19, 2027, Mendizabala will once again bring together several generations around a lineup where a variety of genres converge once more, and classic rock ’n’ roll, hard rock, and punk coexist with grunge, stoner, and heavy metal, intertwining with the rawness of garage rock, the distortion of noise, the melodies of indie rock, and the nostalgia of glam, while also making room for the sensibilities of country, blues, folk, and American music.

The 25th anniversary of the Azkena Rock Festival has now unveiled its full lineup, headlined by three pivotal figures in rock history who will perform in a one-night-only show in Spain in 2027: Patti Smith, Bad Religion, and Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators. Few artists blend poetry, rock, and counterculture with the power of Patti Smith, who will return to Mendizabala after receiving the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts, with a setlist featuring milestones such as *People Have the Power* and *Because the Night*. For their part, Bad Religion will revisit more than four decades of their career with their unmistakable, masterful punk that combines melody, speed, and social and political criticism, while Slash, alongside Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, will return to Vitoria-Gasteiz following their 2010 performance, bringing hard rock built on the Guns N’ Roses legendary guitarist’s unmistakable riffs and Kennedy’s powerful voice. Joining this historic celebration will be Marilyn Manson, the darkest and most theatrical side of late 20th-century rock. The “Reverend” will unleash his stage presence at Mendizabala through defiant, distorted industrial metal, backed by a wild attitude and masterpieces like *Antichrist Superstar*. For their part, Wilco, led by Jeff Tweedy, will bring musical mastery, the richest roots of alternative rock, and American art-country with albums like *Yankee Hotel Foxtrot* and *A Ghost Is Born*. 

Roots music, one of the festival’s cornerstones since its inception, will once again take center stage in 2027. This edition will feature major comebacks, such as that of The Waterboys, who will return following their 2006 appearance, led by Mike Scott and after four decades of expansive rock, Irish folk, and acoustic roots music. 16 Horsepower will represent “gothic Americana” after a twenty-year hiatus with their dark and spiritual sound that blends country, Appalachian folk, gospel, and alternative rock, while Dave Alvin & The Guilty Ones will explore blues, country, and folk led by the founder of The Blasters. From Dallas come the Old 97’s essential to understanding ’90s alt-country and masters at blending it with rock ’n’ roll and punk energy; Billy Bragg will blend punk, folk, and protest songs and American Aquarium, led by BJ Barham, will turn everyday storytelling into the raw material for their alt-country and southern rock.

For his part, John Garcia—the original lead singer of Kyuss and a key figure in the Palm Desert scene—will bring heavy riffs, psychedelia, and a groove with stoner and gritty undertones;; and the blues will feature one of its greatest contemporary voices in Beth Hart, who is capable of taking every song from vulnerability to peak intensity. Rival Sons will showcase their powerful take on ’70s hard rock infused with electric blues, soul, psychedelia, and stoner rock, and rounding out this diverse lineup are The Southern River Band, with their hard rock and boogie with an Australian flair; the duo Parker Barrow, bringing southern rock, blues, and soul from Nashville; and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, blending swing, ska, punk, and jazz. Also joining the lineup are Gran Cañón, a rock supergroup led by Carlos Tarque; Leiva and Iván González “Chapo”; and The Bird Experience, led by the singer from Heath, who will fuse psychedelic blues, soul, and funk with improvisation.

Punk and the most distorted sounds in all their variations will also play a major role. Michael Monroe will revive the legacy of Hanoi Rocks, a seminal band for 1980s punk, glam, and rock ’n’ roll; from Canada Billy Talent will present their blend of punk rock, post-hardcore, and alternative rock; Super 400 will also return following their acclaimed 2007 show with their powerful blend of blues, psychedelia, and hard rock and the Australians The Drones will return after a long hiatus with their mix of blues-punk, garage, gothic folk, and experimental electronic noise. From London’s East End, the Cockney Rejects will assert themselves as the living history of British punk, the Oi! movement, and the street spirit of the late ’70s; psychedelia, garage, and instrumental fuzz will be provided by the British band The Bevis Frond; distortion will take new paths with Girls Against Boys and their more than three decades of blending post-delia, garage, indie, and fuzz; and Foxy Shazam will blend glam, soul, punk, and hard rock into an over-the-top, theatrical live show. The celebration will broaden its spectrum even further with Twin Temple, the “satanic doo-wop” duo that fuses the occult and rock with ’50s and ’60s rhythm & blues, while Bratakus will unleash their hardcore punk and riot grrrl. The national scene will also feature prominently with Cala Vento, capable of creating a wall of sound with just guitars, drums, and a deeply DIY philosophy. From the Basque Country, The Clayton will bring their high-energy rock with Scandinavian roots; BARRRK will play on home turf with their blend of stoner, grunge, and alternative rock; and Marte Lasarte will open up Basque-language rock to synthesizers, electronic music, and pop melodies.

The festival’s wildest tent is transforming this year into Trashville Allstars & Friends, bringing back bands that made history at Mendizabala and adding new ones that embody its most primitive and unpredictable rock spirit. Returning to their unique underworld will be names well-known to the Azkenero audience, such as Los Straitjackets, Micky y Los Colosos del Ritmo, Blind Rage & Violence, Bob Log III, The Cyborgs, Dead Elvis & His One Man Grave, Les Greene, The Bank Robbers, Reverend Beat-Man, this time in collaboration with Milan Slick), Bárbara y Rey (Ángel and Cristo’s new alter ego), and the Álava-based Old Time Spooks. Making their debut at this 25th edition are Demented Are Go, The Urban Voodoo Machine, Tear Dungeon, and Wild Billy Childish & CTMF, who will finally settle their debt to the festival after being unable to perform their scheduled set in 2023.

The 25th anniversary will bring one of the festival’s biggest new features: Strawhouse, a new rustic and intimate stage inspired by old community barns and serving as a tribute to acoustic music and folk, country, and blues roots. Performing on its stage will be Nick Lowe, a key figure in British pub rock and a master songwriter; Dave Hause, a veteran of the Philadelphia punk scene; Lilly Hiatt, who moves between alternative country, folk, and indie rock; and and Joana Serrat and Tulsa, prominent figures of the Spanish Americana and folk scene. Also joining the lineup will be Deke Dickerson, a devotee of rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly, country, and western swing; multi-instrumentalist Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, the classic rockgrass and original repertoire of Hayseed Dixie, the folk and melancholic power pop of Peter Bruntnell, and The Complete Recordings of Hezekiah Procter, a unique project by Li’l Andy that blends country folk storytelling and gospel.

Those who have attended previous editions of the Azkena Rock Festival can now purchase their passes at a discounted price, while the general sale is also open at a promotional rate via azkenarockfestival.com.

The Gaztea Pass (for those under 24) and the Cuadrilla Pass, designed for loyal groups of friends (6 passes at a discounted rate), are also available. For this edition, the installment payment option will remain available, and admission will be free for children under 14. The festival will continue to provide its shuttle bus service to and from the venue, offering organized trips from nearby cities such as Altsasu, Arrasate, Barakaldo, Bilbao, Burgos, Donostia, Errentería, Getxo, Irún, Miranda de Ebro, Pamplona, Portugalete, Rentería, and Zarautz.

The amplifiers at the Azkena Rock Festival will roar louder than ever in 2027, when the festival celebrates 25 editions of a history that has featured some of the most important figures in international rock—from Bob Dylan, Blondie, Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, and John Fogerty to The Who, Kiss, and Pearl Jam, alongside essential names from the Spanish scene such as Los Zigarros and Lagartija Nick, as well as numerous up-and-coming acts that have found a home at Mendizabala. A quarter-century of staying true to an open, passionate, and unbiased approach to rock ’n’ roll in all its forms.

The festival will once again be a celebration of that shared identity, sustained by a loyal community that has made Mendizabala much more than just a venue. Its green, comfortable setting—close to the center of Vitoria-Gasteiz—combined with the character of the city, a Green Capital and a culinary destination, will once again provide the perfect setting to celebrate 25 years of music, connection, and rock ’n’ roll. Leading this journey is Last Tour, an independent cultural promoter certified as a BCorp, committed to a responsible and values-driven event model.

The organization extends special thanks to the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Provincial Council of Álava, and to Kutxabank, Petronor, and St. Petroni, whose contribution helps make the festival possible.