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The festival returns in 2024 and will be held on June 19, 20 and 21 in Mendizabala

Azkena Rock Festival, the rock & roll festival par excellence, bids farewell today to a memorable 22nd edition in which more than 50,000 people have gathered. For three days, bands such as Queens Of The Stone Age, Band Of Horses, Sheryl Crow, Jane’s Addiction, L7, Mavis Staples, Warren Haynes Band, Tarque & La Asociación del Riff, Redd Kross, Arde Bogotá, Ty Segall, PiL.T, The Real McKenzies, Lendakaris Muertos, have passed through its stages, turning Mendizabala, one more year, into the temple of rock.

10 GREAT MOMENTS OF TODAY’S DAY

Sheryl Crow (Photo: Óscar L. Tejeda)

1. Sheryl Crow

There was a great desire to see Sheryl Crow, an icon of American music who has collaborated with names like Jason Isbell, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks or Willie Nelson and who has not visited our country for more than two decades. The moment finally arrived today and he did not disappoint.

Band of Horses (Óscar L.Tejeda)

2. Band of Horses

Being their only date in Europe this year, the date with Band of Horses was unavoidable. Ben Bridwell has immersed the audience in a dream world where nostalgia and hope are intertwined in every note.

Mavis Staples (Photo: Jordi Vidal)

3. Mavis Staples

Soul legend Mavis Staples offered a memorable concert that will go down in the history of the festival thanks to the mastery and emotion that this great performer transmits.

Trashville (Photo: Paco Poyato)

4. Trashville

With its own entity, Trashville is already an unavoidable pilgrimage center to complete the Azkena experience. The Mummies have played today at this concert hall within the festival.

Photo: Paco Poyato

5. Audience of all ages

If anything makes Azkena great is its audience and all words of thanks are few. Once again, the protagonists have been the reunions, the emotions experienced, the enjoyment of music in community, without any incident and always with a good atmosphere. In addition, this year, as a novelty, the family audience has counted on the programming of Txiki ARF.

Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses) and Clara Lobo on the Azkena Podcast.

6. The Azkena Podcast

During the three days of the festival the Azkena Podcast has continued recording numerous interviews with artists, audiences and different figures that have passed through Mendizabala in this edition and will be published soon.

Photo: Paco Poyato

7. Balore

This year Azkena Rock Festival has had a space to go to during the event to find out about the determination and value of the festival’s commitment to environmental and social causes. The BALORE space brings together different information points: MOREA Point, dedicated to the prevention and reporting of situations of harassment and sexist violence, ARCOIRIS Point, on the commitment of Azkena Rock Festival with the LGTBIQ+ movement, GREEN Point, on environmental measures of the festival and SOCIAL Point, on the BCorp certification of Last Tour and the work the festival is doing to obtain the Erronka certification of Ihobe-Basque Government. Once again this year the festival closed its doors without incident.

The Pickin’ Boppers (Photo: Paco Poyato)

8. La Virgen Blanca

Starting the day at the White Virgin free access concerts is an Azkena liturgy, which today was officiated by The Pickin`Boppers…. Inspired by the bands of the 40’s and 50’s, their authentic and energetic style has allowed them to stand out in today’s music scene.

Photo: Paco Poyato

9. ARF 2025

Azkena Rock Festival says goodbye this year, but returns in 2025 on June 19, 20 and 21. In Mendizabala, Vitoria-Gasteiz, of course.

Photo: Paco Poyato

10. Thank you so much!

Once again this year the festival would like to thank all the sponsors for their support, with special mention to the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Provincial Council of Alava, Petronor as multi-energy partner and La Salve as beer partner. Without their involvement, it would not have been possible to achieve the objectives in terms of development and growth in this edition of the Azkena Rock Festival.

La entrada Azkena Rock Festival successfully closes its 22nd edition se publicó primero en ARF.

After a powerful opening day yesterday with Jane’s Addiction, Azkena Rock Festival has returned today to give us great joys as the historic concert of Queens Of The Stone Age and a roster of artists covering different styles of rock. Today there has been a large influx of people to Mendizabala. Tickets are still on sale for tomorrow Saturday.

10 GREAT MOMENTS OF TODAY’S DAY

Queens Of The Stone Age (Photo: Óscar L. Tejeda)

1. Queens Of The Stone Age

It was one of the most anticipated moments of the festival and it finally arrived. After their memorable performances at ARF 2005 and in 2011, Josh Homme’s band renewed today their vows with the Azkena audience showing why they are one of the most powerful bands of today.

Arde Bogotá (Photo: Jordi Vidal)

2. Arde Bogotá

They themselves had confessed that they felt a great respect for their concert in Azkena and the response has not been long in coming with a great concert signed by one of the most acclaimed bands of the current national rock scene.

Lisa & The Lips (Photo: Paco Poyato)

3. Lisa & The Lips

The day has started in the best possible way with the powerful voice of former The Bellrays Lisa Kekaula and her soul band Lisa & The Lips have ignited the flame of rock this morning in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, where the festival merges with the city.

L7 (Photo: Óscar L. Tejeda)

4. L7

The Californian L7 have returned to Mendizabala after a long wait and this time they have performed live their most acclaimed album, the essential Bricks Are Heavy.

Barry Adamson (Photo: ÓScar L. Tejeda)

5. Barry Adamson

Member of the post-punk band Magazine and original bassist of the legendary Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Barry Adamson has not only come to the festival with his best live performance, but he has also signed at the Liburuak booth his powerful and original memoir “Above the City, Below the Stars”, written in his characteristic cinematic style.

La Perra BLanco (Photo: Jordi Vidal)

6. La Perra Blanco

After taking Trashville by storm in 2022, Alba Blanco and her band La Perra Blanco have thrown a wild 50s-inspired rock party.

Redd Kross (Photo: Jordi Vidal)

7. Redd Kross

Cult band, their performance has gathered an audience of fans of their catchy choruses, full of powerful riffs.

Les Greene (Photo: Paco Poyato)

8. Les Greene

The Grammy-nominated artist for Little Richard’s voice in the movie Elvis (2022) has delighted the entire Trashville parish with soul, funk and 60’s R&B and his prodigious voice.

Txiki ARF (Photo: Paco Poyato)

9. Txiki ARF

Azkena families have enjoyed this new meeting place with badge and spike workshops, rock face painting and concerts with songs by the most influential bands.

Photo: Paco Poyato

10. Foro Azkena Rock

The Azkena Forum celebrates 20 years of living the festival intensely commenting on the posters, forging friendships and exchanging millions of posts. Today many forum members have gathered in Trashville to meet again and enjoy a concert of some of its members and to present the digital version of the Forum book.

Tomorrow the festival continues with the unstoppable rhythm of The Pickin’ Boppers at the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. Afterwards, Mendizabala will welcome Band Of Horses, who will offer their only concert of the year in Europe, Sheryl Crow, Mavis Staples, Warren Haynes Band, Lendakaris Muertos, The Pleasure Fuckers or Pi L.T., for a closing day of the current edition full of high caliber artists. The Txiki ARF program will also continue and it will be the last day to purchase the 2025 tickets at a special price, on sale exclusively at the info point located inside the venue.

La entrada Queens Of The Stone Age reigns supreme on a historic second day of Azkena Rock Festival se publicó primero en ARF.

ARF has already confirmed dates for next year: June 19, 20 and 21, 2025.

Azkena Rock Festival opened its doors today to kick off the first day of its twenty-second edition. A day of reunion with the most loyal audience that has visited Mendizabala for so many years for their devotion to enjoy the best music on the stages of the rock & roll festival par excellence.

10 GREAT MOMENTS OF TODAY’S DAY

Txopet (Photo: Jordi Vidal)

1. Opening doors

The moment when Azkena Rock Festival opens its doors is one of the most exciting, every year, both for the public and the organization. Txopet from Bilbao have given the starting signal.

Photo: Paco Poyato

2. Weddings

What Azkena unites, let no one separate. Weddings have been celebrated again in Mendizabala by the rite of rock in the purest Las Vegas style and officiated by the comedian Iñigo Salinero.

Jane’s Addiction (Photo: Óscar L. Tejeda)

3. Jane’s Addiction

Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins have given the expected recital at the height of this revered cult band that, at last, recovers its original line-up.

Ty Segall (Photo: Óscar L. Tejeda)

4. Ty Segall

One of a kind, Ty Segall’s incredible talent has had audiences mesmerized.

Los Sírex (Photo: Paco Poyato)

5. Los Sírex

Trashville has hosted the live performance of one of the most veteran bands of the national rock scene, Los Sírex, who have had an especially devoted audience during their anthem “Si yo tuviera una escoba”.

Carlos Tarque (Photo: Jordi Vidal)

6. Tarque & La Asociación del Riff

The incomparable voice and charisma of Carlos Tarque and the unquestionable guitar skills of Carlos Raya together with the whole Tarque & La Asociación del Riff band have demonstrated their virtuoso live performance in Mendizabala.

Photo: Paco Poyato

7. Crash cars

Between concerts there are also moments to stop by the bumper cars that have become a tradition of the festival.

Photo: Paco Poyato

8. Greetings from Azkena

The Association of Design Professionals of Alava has created 10 different models of postcards that can be sent from the mailboxes installed in Mendizabala and in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca during the concerts.

Photo: Paco Poyato

9. The stages

Find that phrase you wrote in the forum, identify the logos of your favorite bands.

Photo: Paco Poyato

10. Mendizabala will host the ARF 2025 edition on June 19, 20 and 21.

Today we can already confirm the dates on which ARF will be held next year, which remains on the third weekend of June, on 19, 20 and 21 June 2025 and in Mendizabala, in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The first vouchers can be purchased only and at an exclusive price at the info point located at the festival site.

Tomorrow the festival continues with Lisa & The Lips, stellar formation with the powerful vocalist of The Bellrays at the head, who will perform at 13:30h in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca with free access. Already in Mendizabala, at 17:30, the fierce formation of grunge and stoner of the Galician Bala will open the day in which we can enjoy the raw sound of L7 performing their most successful album Bricks Are Heavy, the Murcian phenomenon Arde Bogotá, the virtuoso bassist Barry Adamson, the punk pearl Demolition 23. or the huge Queens of The Stone Age.

La entrada Azkena Rock Festival kicks off with a bang on its opening day se publicó primero en ARF.

Queens Of The Stone Age, Band Of Horses, Sheryl Crow, Jane’s Addiction, L7, Mavis Staples… will perform live at Mendizabala on June 20, 21, and 22

Azkena Rock Festival is all set to open its doors tomorrow. The quintessential rock & roll festival will take place on June 20, 21, and 22 in Mendizabala, Vitoria-Gasteiz. In its 22nd edition, the festival will feature live performances from renowned bands such as Queens Of The Stone Age, Band Of Horses, Sheryl Crow, Jane’s Addiction, L7, Mavis Staples, Warren Haynes Band, Tarque & La Asociación del Riff, Redd Kross, Arde Bogotá, Ty Segall, PiL.T, The Real McKenzies, Lendakaris Muertos, among others.

Virgen Blanca

Once again, the iconic Plaza de la Virgen Blanca serves as the meeting point between the festival and the city, kicking off the day with free, live music sessions accompanied by the gastronomy that the Green Capital boasts. On Friday, it will feature Lisa & The Lips, and on Saturday, The Pickin’ Boppers.

Artistic Program:

Azkena Rock Festival will inaugurate this new edition tomorrow with one of the most influential cult bands, Jane’s Addiction. They will be followed by the eclectic Ty Segall and Carlos Tarque, the most renowned Spanish rock vocalist, with Tarque & La Asociación del Riff. At Trashville, the covered stage designed to recreate a concert hall within the festival, it will be the turn of Los Sírex, a revered band and author of the anthem ‘Si yo tuviera una escoba’.

Queens of The Stone Age, one of the most acclaimed rock bands of the moment, will be the undeniable leaders of Friday’s lineup. Their California desert riffs will intersect with the raw sound of their wild neighbors L7, a milestone in feminism and grunge, performing their most successful album, Bricks Are Heavy. Arde Bogotá, a phenomenal band from Murcia with their alternative Spanish rock, the punk gem Demolition 23, formed by Michael Monroe and other members of Hanoi Rocks in an exclusive concert at Azkena Rock Festival. Also noteworthy are the essential cult band Redd Kross, Ezpalak, a current reference in Basque alternative rock, and Les Greene, undoubtedly one of the most prodigious voices in contemporary soul, funk, and R&B.

The ARF lineup also includes Moltisanti and the Gasteiz duo The Freetangas, composed of some members of the Azkena Forum, celebrating its anniversary this year and presenting the digital version of the book about the forum’s 20 years at the festival

Saturday’s lineup includes Band Of Horses, who will offer their only European concert of the year at the festival, headlining alongside the great Sheryl Crow, a legend whose roots run deep in American music. The soul legend Mavis Staples, the leader of Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, with his solo project Warren Haynes Band, the historic punk band The Pleasure Fuckers reunited for a unique performance at Azkena Rock Festival, Lendakaris Muertos, Pi L.T, The Mummies, or the Madrid-based Tiburona, will make the closing day unmissable.

Txiki ARF: Azkena Families

More and more families are attending Azkena, and for them comes the Txiki ARF proposal, a space within the festival with concerts, workshops, and children’s activities that create a meeting, leisure, and coexistence point around rock. There will be three concerts per day, recreating some of the best songs by legends who have performed on ARF stages. Between performances, the stage will host air guitar contests and rock bingo, both with prizes for the audience. Additionally, there will be workshops for making personalized badges and guitar picks and rock face painting. All this will take place on Friday and Saturday in the second Trashville tent for family audiences from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Admission for children under 14 will be free once again, and there will be a special access lane for families.

Leisure Program

For audience entertainment, bumper cars and Las Vegas-style weddings are back. Moreover, the Association of Designers of Álava has created 10 different postcard designs that can be sent from mailboxes installed in Mendizabala and Plaza de la Virgen Blanca during the concerts.

Accessibility Improvements

This year, the Azkena organization has made several improvements in Mendizabala to eliminate architectural barriers and improve accessibility, gaining both space and accessibility. Visibility conditions have also been improved for the second stage, Respect, as was done in 2023 with the main stage, by splitting the sound and light tower into two, thus minimizing visual barriers.

Balore

Azkena Rock Festival will feature a space, a point, a seed place that is sustainable, safe, social, and full of purpose, where attendees can learn about the festival’s commitment to environmental and social causes. The BALORE space combines different information points: – PURPLE Point, dedicated to the prevention and reporting of harassment and sexist violence. – RAINBOW Point, regarding Azkena Rock Festival’s commitment to the LGTBIQ+ movement. – GREEN Point, about the festival’s environmental measures. – SOCIAL Point, about Last Tour’s BCorp certification and the festival’s work to obtain the Erronka Garbia certification, implemented by the Basque Government through Ihobe.

Azkena Rock Festival is the mecca of rock and roll, confirmed by its 22-year history. It is a reference framework for experiencing live music, enjoying it in community in a comfortable venue, and completing the experience in the Green Capital Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Once again, the festival would like to thank all its sponsors for their support, with special mention to the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Provincial Council of Álava, Petronor as a multi-energy partner, and La Salve as the festival beer partner. Without their involvement, achieving the development and growth goals of this edition of the Azkena Rock Festival would not have been possible.

La entrada Azkena Rock Festival is all set to kick off tomorrow se publicó primero en ARF.