Benidorm: A City with a Strong Music Heritage

Benidorm and its enduring music tradition

Julio Iglesias won the Benidorm Song Festival in 1968 and life moved on. A few years earlier, in 1962, a very young Rafael, at nineteen, claimed the Golden Little Mermaid award for his rendition. Both careers rose through a competition that began when Benidorm was already known as a tourism hub, a city whose pulse echoed with music that became part of its very identity.

Is Benidorm the music capital of Spain? People may disagree, but the air of the city makes the art unmistakable. The Benidorm Festival and the yearlong slate of events showcase everything from indie sounds to reggaeton and flamenco. Yet the city’s musical life isn’t confined to big events. It lives in the quiet moments when unknown singers perform in rooms across the region or when artists cover famous songs in front of attentive crowds. Benidorm is also the story of María Jesus and her accordion and the iconic Benidorm Palace. The city’s most playful corners have long hosted Alaska and a tradition that blends campy charm with genuine warmth. In this mix, traditional tunes still rise from choirs and local groups who keep hymns and celebrations alive.

Benidorm’s homage to music

That is the world of Benidorm and its bond with melodies. With the second edition of Benidorm Fest, Spain selected its Eurovision hopeful, and memories of the city’s musical past were revived. Local artists emphasize a particular magic in the environment that nudges them to keep composing and creating. Sofia Martin, an Alicante artist who could not reach the final, began writing more in those days, inspired by lived experiences. Others highlighted the effort to reinvent a song festival that once thrived and faded, only to be reborn as a robust annual event attracting established stars and rising talents alike.

Benidorm Fest’s Song Festival’s wink to the Golden Little Mermaid

The Benidorm Song Festival once aimed to mirror the San Remo model. In the summer of 1958 the city welcomed a surge of visitors, and the initiative to create a festival gained momentum under the leadership of the mayor. By 1959, a national festival with roots in Benidorm emerged, laying the groundwork for a tradition that would endure for decades and evolve with the times.

In those years the Golden Mermaid became a symbol, and the festival began a long uninterrupted run that spanned from 1959 to 1978, with occasional breaks and a resurrection later on. The event later influenced a broader cultural calendar that continues to shape the city’s identity as a center of musical activity.

Benidorm Festival, the music event that launched the careers of young artists

Benidorm’s appeal goes beyond tall buildings and sunny shores. The city earned a reputation for hosting one of the most vibrant festival scenes in the country. A high‑profile event named Low Festival, initially launched in 2009 as Low Cost, rebranded to its current name in 2014. It draws national and international indie acts for three days of performances, with past appearances by groups like Placebo, Love of Lesbian, Izal and Alaska. Local bands also gain exposure through these stages, highlighting Benidorm as a place where fresh talent can thrive.

Benidorm Festival, the music event that launched the careers of young artists

Alongside major festivals, Benidorm sustains a rich musical life throughout the year. The city has become a hub for diverse genres and events that attract visitors from near and far. The calendar includes a variety of gatherings that celebrate indie, rock and pop, alongside celebrations that honor Reggaeton Beach and Iberian festival circuits. The city’s music scene continues to evolve, welcoming artists from legends to newcomers and keeping the tradition alive through venues, parades and community gatherings. In recent years, performances by artists like Loquillo, M Clan and Bonnie Tyler have shown the depth of the city’s engagement with music.

Benidorm also presents a broad array of summer concerts and summer programs such as Con Mucho Arte. The Julio Iglesias Auditorium and l’Aigüera Park host a wide range of shows, and the Guillermo Amor Stadium has hosted notable names, with artists like Alejandro Sanz appearing in the past. Musical moments sometimes cross into iconic collaborations. A famous instance is when American legend Bruce Springsteen performed and referenced local tunes during a municipal stadium show, a nod to Benidorm’s cultural fabric.

Did you know that Bruce Springsteen sang “Los pajaritos” with María Jesus and her accordion in Benidorm?

Benidorm not only offers large stages but also nurtures up‑and‑coming artists who perform in smaller rooms. The English quarter, Rincon de Loix, is a hotspot where many intimate gigs unfold. Local bars host live bands and artists cover songs by well‑known names, creating a vibrant, intimate music scene. The summer season intensifies the calendar, with hotels and streets filled with live performances that echo the city’s long-standing tradition of music and entertainment.

Live music or the most ‘kitch’ palace

Benidorm is a stage for young performers who chase a break in the evolving trade. The city’s live music culture thrives in venues across the English-speaking district and beyond, where visitors experience a playful spirit and a love for song. The abundance of venues makes Benidorm feel like a second home for music lovers, and the summer months bring concerts nightly. This is a core thread of the tourist capital’s identity.

Alaska: “It’s very smart to hold Benidorm Fest here, it’s a unique city”

The city remains a magnet for performers who feel at home among Benidorm’s sunlit skyline. Alaska spoke of the city’s musical tradition as a reason for hosting such events, noting that Benidorm has long celebrated music from the Benidorm Song Festival to contemporary festivals like Low and beyond. The municipal groups, including Benidorm Musical Union, Societat Musical l’Illa, and Societat Musical La Nova, nurture young talent and keep cultural melodies alive. The practice of traditional notes from Xirimita and el tabalet continues to be a living thread in local life. The city’s festivals will persist, and Benidorm Fest will keep growing, as music remains a constant companion to the sun and skyline.}