June 19, 20 and 21 in Mendizabala, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Lee Rocker, from Stray Cats, joins the line-up after the departure of Masters of Reality
As appetizers to the festival, the Araba ARF Tour program continues and Azkena Warm Up Weekend is coming
The long-awaited time has come to unveil the schedule of Azkena Rock Festival, which will celebrate its 23rd edition on June 19, 20 and 21 in Mendizabala, Vitoria-Gasteiz. The mecca of rock & roll will feature top names such as the legendary John Fogerty with all the classics of his repertoire and a unique date in Spain, Manic Street Preachers, also on an exclusive date; The Flaming Lips, performing Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots; Dinosaur Jr, performing his legendary Without a Sound; the iconic Lucinda Williams; the 30th anniversary of The Hellacopters, and many more names including free programming in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca or the space for families Txiki ARF.
THURSDAY, JUNE 19
DINOSAUR JR. play ‘Without A Sound’ / THE DAMNED / MELISSA ETHERIDGE / BUZZCOCKS / QUIQUE GONZÁLEZ / LEE ROCKER of the Stray Cats / LIBE
Trashville: WAU Y LOS ARRRGHS!!! / FLÉAU / GOGOPONIES / MAMBO RAMBO DJs: EL CHICO
Azkena Rock Festival kicks off with Dinosaur Jr., performing their classic 1994 album Without a Sound in full, along with other fan favorites. Joining them are The Damned, pioneers of British punk, featuring a classic lineup responsible for albums like The Black Album (1980) and Strawberries (1982). The unmistakable voice of Melissa Etheridge, a rock icon since the late ’80s, will add to the excitement. The day continues with the infectious punk melodies of Buzzcocks, the heartfelt rock of Quique González, the intensity of Libe, and the legendary Lee Rocker, from the Stray Cats, who joins the line-up after the cancellation of Masters of Reality. At Trashville, expect the garage rock madness of Wau y los Arrrghs!!!, medieval hardcore from Fléau, the explosive Italian party energy of Gogoponies, and the Latin rhythms of Mambo Rambo. DJ El Chico will close out the night with a high-energy set.
FRIDAY, JUNE 20
JOHN FOGERTY / LUCINDA WILLIAMS / PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED / TURBONEGRO / C.O.F.F.I.N / BOBBIE DAZZLE / DIAMOND DOGS & CHRIS SPEDDING play Little Richard / LA ESTRELLA AZUL Live / KAOTIKO / PSILICON FLESH / RECKLESS KELLY / ROBERT JON & THE WRECK / SARRIA
Trashville: LOS STRAITJACKETS / ESCAPE-ISM / LAS JENNYS DE ARROYOCULEBRO / THEE SCARECROWS AKA
DJs: ALTA TENSIÓN DJs / BORJA NIHIL / MISS STRYCHNINE / ROCK NIGHTS Txiki ARF
Virgen Blanca: LAURIE WRIGHT
The day will kick off at Virgen Blanca with Laurie Wright, a London singer-songwriter who has won over the likes of Liam Gallagher and Pete Doherty and is postulated as one of the great promises of pub rock and mod heritage.
Friday is headlined by the legendary John Fogerty, followed by the iconic Lucinda Williams and the intensity of Public Image Limited, led by Johnny Rotten. The irreverence of Turbonegro, the punk energy of C.O.F.F.I.N, and the glam party of the newly added Bobbie Dazzle promise an intense night. Diamond Dogs & Chris Spedding will pay tribute to Little Richard, and Kaotiko will celebrate their 25th anniversary with top-tier Basque punk. La Estrella Azul will perform music from the film of the same name, paying homage to the legacy of Más Birras. Psilicon Flesh will blend metal, pop, and grunge, while Reckless Kelly debuts in Spain with their red dirt country sound. Robert Jon & The Wreck will bring electrifying Southern rock, and Sarria will showcase their fresh take on Spanish pop-rock. At Trashville, surf rock legends Los Straitjackets, the theatrical electro-rock of Escape-ism, the raw punk of Las Jennys de Arroyoculebro, and the primitive rhythm & blues of Thee Scarecrows Aka will round out the night. Also at Trashville, the Txiki ARF programme will offer concerts, workshops, and children’s activities at this meeting point for families. As usual, the night will continue with a selection of tracks by renowned DJs such as Alta Tensión DJs, Borja Nihil, Miss Strychnine, and Rock Nights.
SATURDAY, JUNE 21
MANIC STREET PREACHERS / THE FLAMING LIPS play ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots’ / RICHARD HAWLEY / THE HELLACOPTERS 30th Anniversary / MARGO PRICE / CHERIE CURRIE plays The Runaways / THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS / DEAD KENNEDYS / DERBY MOTORETA’S BURRITO CACHIMBA / EH, MERTXE! / EZEZEZ / THE LEMON TWIGS / THE PILL
Trashville: THE NEANDERTHALS / THE DEVILS / THE SEX ORGANS / WALLAROOS
DJs: BILBA GROTBILL / DJ BONE / MALANDRA / NAT SIMONS JUKEBOX
Txiki ARF
Virgen Blanca: KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, the British sibling trio that fuses R&B, swing, coun-try and blues with overwhelming energy, will take over the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca with their free performance in the heart of the city.
Already in Mendizabala, saturday promises to be unforgettable, featuring Manic Street Preachers and the psychedelic energy of The Flaming Lips, who will perform Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in full. The sophisticated sounds of Richard Hawley, the raw power of The Hellacopters, and the authentic country soul of Margo Price—in her first-ever Spanish show—make for a stellar lineup. Cherie Currie will honor the legacy of The Runaways, The Chesterfield Kings will bring classic garage rock, and Dead Kennedys will inject their signature political punk. Derby Motoreta’s Burrito Kachimba will showcase their unique blend of flamenco, Andalusian rock, psychedelia, and progressive rock. Eh, Mertxe! will shake things up with their rebellious attitude, while Ezezez will prove why they’re a rising band to watch. The Lemon Twigs will present their sophisticated pop rock, and The Pill, a feminine duo from the Isle of Wight, will deliver a fresh, youthful punk sound. At Trashville, expect the primitive rock of The Neanderthals, the chaotic noise of The Devils, the absurdity of The Sex-Organs, and the explosive punk of Wallaroos. The night will close with an expert DJ lineup. The early afternoon will be the terrain of Txiki ARF, a space designed to enjoy rock with the family in the second Trashville tent. The night will close with a luxury session by DJs who are experts in setting the dance floor on fire. Namely: Bilba Grotbill, DJ Bone, Malandra and Nat Simons Jukebox.
TICKETS FOR AZKENA ROCK FESTIVAL 2025
Day tickets are now on sale at a promotional price for 48 hours, and festival passes remain available at azkenarockfestival.com. This year, alongside the Bono Gaztea (€100 + fees, for attendees under 23), the festival introduces the Bono Cuadrilla, perfect for groups of inseparable friends: buy 5 passes, get 6. Payment plans remain available, and children under 14 can attend for free. The festival will also provide organized bus trips from Bilbao, Pamplona, Donostia/San Sebastián, Zarautz, Arrasate, and Alsasua, making it easier than ever to attend one of the most highly anticipated events of the year.
Azkena Rock Festival 2025 returns with an electrifying edition, staying true to its essence: razor-sharp guitars, legendary artists, and the best rock atmosphere. Mendizabala will once again be the epicenter of rock & roll on June 19, 20, and 21.
ARABA ARF TOUR
As appetizers to the festival, the Araba ARF Tour program continues, which started last May 17 in Amurrio with Letagin and Nukore and will continue on Saturday, June 14 in Labastida with the rock with American indie influences of the Bilbao band Nightwaves and the decibels full of rock and roll that will bring the Aramaio band The Clayton. The organization is grateful for the involvement of the Department of Culture of the Provincial Council of Alava, without which this joint project with Azkena Rock Festival would not be possible, and the municipalities of Amurrio and Labastida for their interest and support to host these concerts that bring the flame of the ARF every year to different towns in Alava.
AZKENA WARM UP WEEKEND
Two special concerts brimming with ARF spirit at the Sala Clamores in Madrid to warm up the engines and calm the anxieties the weekend before the festival and with special offers for the audience. His Lordship (Friday, June 13) is a garage-punk duo formed by The Pretenders’ musicians James Walbourne and Kristoffer Sonne, who sound like the Black Keys through the Hives’ inexhaustible energy blender. Early James (Saturday, June 14), meanwhile, is a thirty-something from Alabama possessed by an old road bluesman from the 30’s. Sponsored by Dan Auerbach, who produced his latest album, ‘Medium Raw’, his style is somewhere between Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Tom Waits, soaked in raw blues, old country and vintage folk, which he defends in trio format on stage.
Azkena Rock Festival
June 19, 20 and 21 2025
Mendizabala, Vitoria-Gasteiz
Thursday, June 19
18:00 Apertura de puertas
GOD
19:10h BUZZCOCKS
21:10h MELISSA ETHERIDGE
23:40h DINOSAUR JR. play ‘Without A Sound’
RESPECT
18:15h LIBE
20:15h QUIQUE GONZÁLEZ
22:25h THE DAMNED
01:05 LEE ROCKER of the Stray Cats
TRASHVILLE -Trash a go-go!
19:15h MAMBO RAMBO
21:15h FLÉAU
22:30h GOGOPONIES
0:30h WAU Y LOS ARRRGHS!!!
2:00h EL CHICO
Friday, June 20
Plaza de la Virgen Blanca
13:30h LAURIE WRIGHT
MENDIZABALA
17:00 Apertura de puertas
GOD
17:30h SARRIA
19:20h RECKLESS KELLY
21:40h LUCINDA WILLIAMS
00:25h JOHN FOGERTY
RESPECT
18:25h LA ESTRELLA AZUL Live
20:25h PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED
23:05h TURBONEGRO
02:00h KAOTIKO
LA SALVE
18:00h PSILICON FLESH
19:20h BOBBIE DAZZLE
20:50h C.O.F.F.I.N
23:20h ROBERT JON & THE WRECK
01:55h DIAMOND DOGS & CHRIS SPEDDING play Little Richard
TRASHVILLE -Trash a go-go!
18:30h LAS JENNYS DE ARROYOCULEBRO
20:00h THEE SCARECROWS AKA
22:30h ESCAPE-ISM
01:00h LOS STRAITJACKETS
02:30h ROCK NIGHTS
04:30H MISS STRYCHNINE
TRASHVILLE – Rat Hole
17:30-20:30h TXIKI ARF
02:00h BORJA NIHIL
04:00h ALTA TENSIÓN DJs
Saturday, June 21
Plaza de la Virgen Blanca
13:30h KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS
MENDIZABALA
17:00 Apertura de puertas
GOD
17:30h EH, MERTXE!
19:05h RICHARD HAWLEY
21:30h THE FLAMING LIPS play ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots’
00:20h MANIC STREET PREACHERS
RESPECT
18:15h THE PILL
20:20h THE LEMON TWIGS
22:55h MARGO PRICE
01:55h THE HELLACOPTERS 30th Anniversary
LA SALVE
18:00h EZEZEZ
19:20h CHERIE CURRIE plays The Runaways
21:00h THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS
23:20h DERBY MOTORETA’S BURRITO CACHIMBA
01:50h DEAD KENNEDYS
TRASHVILLE -Trash a go-go!
18:30h WALLAROOS
20:00h THE SEX ORGANS
22:15h THE DEVILS
00:50h THE NEANDERTHALS
02:30h MALANDRA
04:30h NAT SIMONS JUKEBOX
TRASHVILLE – Rat Hole
17:30-20:30h TXIKI ARF
02:00h DJ BONE
04:00h BILBA GROTBILL
