Villena reinforces its role as a festival hub with a bold first issue that closes the year and previews the city of festivals for 2024. The project Villena Flamenquita gathers top names from the global flamenco scene, blending traditional and urban styles. The event is set for January 26 and marks a fresh edition that sits alongside Villena Rabolagartija and Rock Legends, two macro festivals that already anchor the summer calendar and signal a powerful start to the year on the national stage.
The city council venue for major events, led by mayor Javier Martínez, emphasizes expanding festival options to reach broader audiences. The plan is to offer proposals that mix contemporary summer festival concepts with established favorites already drawing large crowds. The aim is to enrich Villena’s cultural calendar by presenting new combinations that complement existing projects such as Rabolagartija and Rock Legends.
Villena Flamenquita will light up the indoor bullring with a lineup that includes notable flamenco artists and crossovers. The bill features Nyno Vargas and Sergio Contreras, who bring a festive heat to the venue. The night continues with performances by Decai, a Cádiz duo known for fusing flamenco rumba with reggaeton; Onion and Black Jari, a duo that has surged on YouTube with urban flamenco; Joana Santos from Seville, who has energized the local scene with powerful performances; Shakira Martínez, a rising voice in flamenco; and Villadense group La Espartera, who will close the night with vibrant rumba and joyous rhythms.
Marco Rubio, the event organizer, described the festival as a pilot test. Depending on audience reception and results, it could join Villena’s annual music lineup. Rubio expressed confidence in the appeal of pop flamenco, urban flamenco, and fusion with rap and other urban genres. He also noted a concerted effort to keep ticket prices accessible to ensure a full Bullring audience. Rubio added that an agreement would be signed soon with the City Council to continue the festival annually for the next four years, ensuring continuity and growth.
Damn Censorship 2024
In parallel, Villena will showcase one of the most dynamic sectors of the Spanish rock scene with F*ck Censorship 2024 on January 27 at Plaza de Toros. The event will feature Boycott, Def Binary, and the Mutantes Pal Pueblo tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of the film Mutant Action by Álex de la Iglesia and the associated album Armas Pal Pueblo. The roster also includes the Hortaleza legends Porretas and Zulu Time from Granada, who celebrate the 20th anniversary of their first album My mouth hurts when I say this, as well as Chaos Etiliko from Álava.
Fans from Seville will not miss the returns of Narco, who topped the stage last year after a multi-year hiatus; Swedish act Baboon Show, recognized as one of today’s most vigorous bands; the anarchic punk singer-songwriter Manolo Kabezabolo; and Madrid based XpresidentX, a captivating rap metal punk project emerging from Moncloa. The night promises a diverse mix that reflects Villena’s growing appetite for bold live rock and explosive energy across scenes.