‘We Are Seeing A Shift Towards More Concentrated & Efficient Formats’: Q’s With Clipper’s Music Group President Juli Guiu Marquina

You don’t come across a true multi-generational family business that often anymore, no matter the industry. In live, Clipper’s Music Group stands out. Now in its third generation, the independent company remains one of Spain’s strongest promoters.

Speaking with president Juli Guiu Marquina has become a cherished tradition in Pollstar’s annual Spain Focus, and 2026 is no exception. The live veteran shared his insights on trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the Spanish biz, and shared how to make even boutique work in the era of scale.

Pollstar: Please sum up the state of business at Clipper’s? How’s 2026 shaping up, and how does it compare to 2025?
Juli Guiu Marquina: 2026 is broadly in line with 2025, with several of our newer projects continuing to mature and gain traction. Occident Summerfest is celebrating its fifth anniversary, which is an important milestone for us, and we have also renewed the tender for Les Nits Occident at the Pedralbes Palace gardens for a further three years. This reinforces our position as a leading option for the management and development of this type of festival, supported by the consistency and quality of our work, and allows us to plan with a medium-term perspective.

What are some of last year’s highlights that made it exceptional?
One of the standout moments was the tour by Antonio Orozco, which ranked among the top 3 tours in Spain in 2025 as part of his 25th anniversary celebrations. We also marked the 25th anniversary of the Cap Roig Festival, a very significant edition for a well-established and much-loved event. In addition, we produced Aitana’s concert at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona and supported the delivery of Lola Índigo’s show at the same venue, milestones that highlight the group’s capability to handle large-scale productions and further reinforce the strength of our programming.

What business trends do you observe with particular interest?
We are seeing a shift towards more concentrated and efficient formats. The concept of residencies is beginning to gain traction in Spain as well, with examples such as the multiple shows announced by Bad Bunny and Shakira. It is an interesting development that reflects both the optimization of touring models and a concentration of demand.

How are your festivals doing? It’s no secret that the festival market is particularly challenging right now, can you confirm that? How do you still produce a successful festival that turns a profit?
Our model, which is focused on boutique festivals and concert series, remains stable, with steady growth or consistent attendance levels. That said, the environment has become more challenging, particularly due to rising artist fees, which inevitably impact ticket pricing. In this context, the key lies in careful management, cost control and delivering a high-quality audience experience. Our format also offers added value through unique venues and the opportunity to see top-tier artists in a more intimate setting, creating a distinctive experience that does not directly compete with large-scale festivals.

Any cities/regions in Spain that emerged as real concert markets in recent months and years? Do you see tours visiting places they previously wouldn’t have, and what are the reasons for that?
We are seeing a broader geographical spread. New venues and opportunities are emerging beyond the traditional circuits. A good example is the Roig Arena in Valencia, which is set to become an important hub for touring activity.

What challenges remain to your Spanish business? Mid-range market, or festivals perhaps?
The main challenge continues to be maintaining economic balance in a context of rising costs, particularly within the mid-tier segment, where margins are tighter. This is an area we are approaching with particular focus and caution.

Where do you identify the biggest opportunities?
Opportunities lie in continuing to develop projects with a clear identity, strengthening audience loyalty and curating high-quality programming. It is also about adapting to evolving market dynamics while keeping long-term sustainability firmly in mind.

Anything you’d like to add? Upcoming highlights you’d like to point out?
We remain focused on developing and consolidating our brands through a measured and sustainable growth strategy. All our projects continue to grow both in terms of stability and positioning, and we have several initiatives in the pipeline that we look forward to announcing in due course.

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