Legends of the Rock and Rabolagartija Leave a Strong Footprint in Villena
The Legends of the Rock and Rabolagartija festivals took place at the Villena sports center, marking a significant weekend for the city and its neighboring municipalities with an estimated impact of 6 million euros. Javier Martínez, the councilor for Major Events, alongside Marcos Rubio, the organizer of both events, spoke about the outcome and its wider effects on the community.
Martínez told the government team that the response was extremely positive, noting that the festivals were highly valued by attendees. He stated that while every festival is often described as the best ever, this time the facts supported that claim. He highlighted that there were no major incidents and that security and services performed exceptionally well. Rubio added that Legends of Rock drew about 50,000 attendees and Rabolagartija brought in around 45,000 people.
Both events benefited from improvements in infrastructure, including more toilets, additional water points, and enhanced cleanliness. A steam-water cooling system helped relieve heat, contributing to a more comfortable experience. Musically, the mayor emphasized that notable artists were featured on the posters. Martínez pointed out that top-tier groups with massive international followings helped place Villena on the global map, viewing these festivals as a powerful promotional driver for the city.
Rubio expressed gratitude for the tremendous effort from municipal services, security forces, and the technical and logistics teams that supported the festivals. For him, it is the result of a coordinated, joint effort to keep these events at the highest level.
The mayor of Major Events stated a desire to host festivals for many more years, emphasizing that festivals and Villena are closely connected and mutually reinforcing. He announced plans to renew the newly signed contract with the organizer, underscoring a commitment to continue these festivals. Rubio echoed the sentiment, noting a willingness to keep working in this direction and to blend the festivals to establish Villena as a reference point for cultural events.
The next edition of both festivals is already in motion. Legends of Rock has begun shaping its programming previews, while Rabolagartija will unveil its lineup in September. Both posters are expected to be finalized by December, giving potential participants ample time to organize their plans.