José Luis Gil Soto, the secretary general of culture, has stated that the contempopránea festival is a fundamental part of extremadura's cultural identity, emphasising its importance within the national independent music scene. These remarks were made during the presentation of the festival's 30th edition, set to take place this weekend in Don Benito.
At the event, Gil Soto was joined by festival director Agustín Fuentes, the local council's festivities councillor Álvaro Ballesteros, and provincial deputy Manuel Gómez. The secretary general highlighted the festival's long-standing history and its ability to bring together different generations of indie music enthusiasts.
Gil Soto noted that the festival has played a crucial role in placing extremadura on the map of specialised music festivals, providing visibility to indie music at a time when the genre had limited presence in Spain. He also mentioned that some of the most prominent names in Spanish independent music have performed at the festival, which has already sold out tickets for this year's edition.
Furthermore, he pointed out that contempopránea represents a strong commitment to the region's culture, showcasing the diversity and talent of extremadura's music scene while offering local artists a platform for visibility. The festival serves as an example of rural culture, bringing artistic experiences closer to the local population.
Agustín Fuentes, the festival's director, highlighted the significant impact of the event on the local area, noting that accommodation in Don Benito and its surroundings is nearly fully booked due to the high demand generated. The organisation has also introduced a special bus service with routes from various extremadura towns to facilitate transportation for those unable to secure lodging.
The 30th edition of the contempopránea festival, which celebrated a pre-festival party in August in Alburquerque, will kick off on Friday 16 October in Don Benito with a welcome party featuring performances by Nena Daconte and local groups Fonal, Niños Bravos, and Electrozacho. The main day of the festival, Saturday 17 October, will showcase performances by La M.O.D.A., Carlos Ares, Ultraligera, Sexy Zebras, Barry Brava, and De Pedro, among others, alongside local acts El Gato con Jotas, Bolsa de Moscas, La petite mort, and Los primos Dj's.
