In total, twenty-seven concerts will illumine Alicante Arena, spanning four months from May to September. The Alicante Gold cycle, coordinated by Ibolle Productions and presented this morning by its director Carlos Peñalver alongside the city’s mayor, Luis Barcala, and Alicante Arena entrepreneur Nacho Lloret, has unveiled a lineup that reads like a who’s who of global touring acts. The cycle features legendary names such as Bob Dylan, Tom Jones, and Joaquin Sabina, with others including Wilco, Morat, Alejandro Sanz, Pablo Alborán, and Manuel Carrasco also on the bill, among many more.
The project anticipates an average audience of around 5,000 spectators per concert, with the potential to reach 30 performances. Organizers estimate that more than 150,000 people will pass through the Plaza de Toros in these four months, creating an economic impact projected between 15 and 20 million euros for the city, according to the mayor. Barcala further suggested that six additional music festivals and initiatives could take place in Alicante during this period, including Spring Festival, Field 12, Rocanrola, Live the Roof, Bombastic, and Negrita Music Festival. These events are expected to attract artists and bands such as Bizarrap, Mala Rodríguez, Juan Magán, Pablo López, and Hombres G, bringing the total audience to about 440,000 and a combined economic impact in the vicinity of 40 million euros. The mayor framed this as a clear demonstration of the city’s appeal for concert and festival tourism and noted that the program could establish Alicante as a trusted destination for future musical itineraries.
The Plaza de Toros councilor, Mari Carmen, emphasized the commitment of the venue’s management to reviving the space’s use beyond the Bullfighting Fair, incorporating a broader slate of music-focused events. After hosting eight concerts last year despite the pandemic, the venue is projected to triple that number this year with both national and international artists.
The schedule currently listed for the Plaza de Toros includes NATO and Waor on May 5; Joaquin Sabina on May 10 and 12; Lola Indigo on May 19; Bob Dylan on June 15; the Gypsy Kings on July 7; Marco Antonio Solis on July 11; LP on July 16; Morat on July 18; Alejandro Sanz on July 20; the Dire Straits Legacy on August 22; Carlos Rivera on July 25; Kraftwerk on July 26; Tom Jones on August 1; Scissors on August 4; Pablo Alborán on August 5; Courgette on August 6; Zaz on August 9; God Save the Queen on August 10; Vanessa Martín on August 12; Wilco on August 17; Priestess on August 19; Miguel Ríos on August 25; District on August 26; Anthony Orozco on September 2; Manuel Carrasco on September 23; and an evening with I Went to EGB on September 30. The latter concert will feature an ensemble lineup that includes Boney M, Sabrina, Alejo Stivel, Vicky Larraz, Orquesta Mondragón, Nacha Pop, Tennessee, Los Manolos, and Tam Tam Go.
Photograph caption: Nacho Lloret, Luis Barcala, Mari Carmen, and Carlos Peñalver at the Alicante Goldest concerts presentation.
Businessman Nacho Lloret highlighted the idea that every event in the bull arena boosts the city’s commercial activity, reinforcing that backing the arena is backing Alicante itself. The arrangement now powerfully connects the region to Ibolele Producciones. Both Peñalver and Lloret underscored the presence of international stars such as Bob Dylan, Wilco, and LP from the United States; Tom Jones from the United Kingdom; Carlos Rivera and Marco Antonio Solís from Mexico; the Gypsy Kings and ZAZ from France; Morat from Colombia; Zuchero from Italy; Kraftwerk from Germany; and other prominent performers.
Ticket sales for Sabina, Manuel Carrasco, and Alejandro Sanz dates reported strong demand, with many seats sold out or nearing capacity. Tom Jones and Bob Dylan, announced in recent weeks, were at about half capacity at press time. Pre-sales for tickets can be arranged via the festival website.