Spain Focus 2023 Index Page

04 Manuel Carrasco Karlos Sanz SMALL
Manuel Carrasco at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, Spain, performing for a sold-out crowd of 74,000 on June 11, 2022. It was the third biggest national tour or 2022, according to Spanish promoters association APM. (Photo by Karlos Sanz)

Another year, another Focus on one of the most exciting markets for live entertainment on earth: Spain. With its combination of fantastic weather, some of the best gastronomies in Europe, and amazing concert venues, the country has everything you need to provide some great entertainment.

As these conversations with some of Spain’s leading live professionals prove, business is back in full swing. There’s never been a better time to visit this southern European destination, and catch a fantastic show while at it.

Main Story:

Vamos España: How Spain’s Local Identity Brings In Global Business

01 Cruilla Juan Lius Guerra Xavi Torrent 1
Juan Luis Guerra performing at Cruïlla Barcelona in 2022. The festival is one example of how the Spanish live biz is back in full swing. Cruïlla neither had to change its ticket price nor capacity thanks to its mostly local audience, which constitutes a very enticing offer for local sponsors. (Picture by Xavi Torrent)

Interviews:

‘The Best Rock Concert I have Ever Seen’: Q’ With Doctor Music’s Neo Sala

Pollstar caught up with Spanish live music icon Neo Sala to talk about the current state of play at his company, Doctor Music, which kicked off 2023 in style with two Bruce Springsteen concerts at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, April 28 & 30.

02 NEW Bruce Springsteen SMALL
The Boss performing one of two nights at Barcelona’s Olympic stadium in April.
Coldplay Concert In Barcelona
Coldplay’s Chris Martin on stage at Estadi Olimpic, May 24, 2023, during the first of four concerts at the stadium in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jordi Vidal/Redferns)

‘Ticket Sales And Demand Have Never Been Stronger’: Q’s With The Team Of Live Nation Spain

Pollstar reached out to the team of Live Nation Spain to talk about the company’s many success stories, which have led to what president and head promoter Robert Grima called “the strongest year in Live Nation Spain History.” Pino Sagliocco, chairman Live Nation Spain, Chen Castaño, managing director at Planet Events, and Barnaby Harrod, head promoter at Mercury Wheels, also shared their business perspectives.

‘It’s Getting Difficult To Survive As An Independent’: Q’s With Riff Producciones’ Chris Ortiz

Chris Ortiz, president of Riff Producciones, is right in the middle of another busy year. Coming fresh off a couple of European dates with Joaquin Sabina, he went straight into Manuel Carrasco’s “Corazón Y Flecha” tour, which kicked off last weekend, June 2-3, at La Cartuja stadium in Seville, Spain.

04 Manuel Carrasco Karlos Sanz SMALL
Manuel Carrasco at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, Spain, performing for a sold-out crowd of 74,000 on June 11, 2022. (Photo by Karlos Sanz)
Juan Luis Guerra Wizink Center
Juan Luis Guerra at WiZink Center Madrid, promoted by Proactiv. (Picture by Óscar Lafox)

Growing Portfolio, Enterting New Territories: Q’s With Proactiv CEO Nicolas Renna

Proactiv Entertainment seems to be on a roll. Following a record 2022 that was as profitable as it was challenging, 2023 already came with another milestone: the sale of a majority stake to Sony Music Masterworks. This creates opportunities for a bright future, as Proactiv Entertainment CEO Nicolas Renna tell Pollstar.

‘We Are Opening Up New Paths Within Live Music’: Q’s With GTS Live’s Maricruz Laguna

GTS Live promoted the 2022 tour of Alejandro Sanz alongside Mow Management, which became the second-biggest Spanish tour of the year, according to the country’s promoters association. This year looks equally busy, not just in terms of touring, and Pollstar reached out to GTS Live director and corporate representative Maricruz Laguna to find out more.

image002
Morat are one of the many shining examples of Latin American acts that successfully tour Spain – and the rest of the world for that matter. (Picture courtesy of GTS Live)
JordiHerreruela3
Cruïlla festival director Jordi Herreruela.

‘Local Identity Means Huge Business’: Q’s With Cruïlla’s Jordi Herreruela

Cruïlla celebrates its 13th edition this year, with a lineup led by Placebo, The Offspring, Sigur Rós, Tash Sultana, Alt-J, and a strong selection of Latin American music from the likes of Rubén Blades, Bomba Estéreo, Omara Portuondo, and more. We caught up with festival director Jordi Herreruela.

‘It Is Still Very Economical To Attend A Festival’: Q’s With Primavera Sound’s Alfonso Lanza

Primavera Sound has been expanding a lot over the past years. Next weekend, June 8-10, sees the first edition in the Spanish capital of Madrid go down. Pollstar caught up with Primavera Sound CEO Alfonso Lanza to talk about this historic move, as well as a few other aspects from the Primavera cosmos.

03 Primavera Sound Barcelona Eric Pamies SMALL
The crowd at Primavera Sound in Barcelona. The festival has expanded to a total of six locations, including Madrid, Porto (Portugal), São Paulo (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Bogotá (Colombia), and Asunción (Paraguay). (Photo by Eric Pamies)

Subscribe to Pollstar HERE