La Roda will once again be a hub for doo wop music enthusiasts from 23 to 25 October, as it hosts the eighth edition of the doo wop fever festival. This international event showcases vocal harmonies, rock and roll, and vintage culture. Mayor Juan Ramón Amores and festival director José Adrián Serrano have unveiled the programme for this year, which will take place primarily at the Casa de la Cultura, with additional activities at the San Sebastián Cultural Centre and the Posada del Sol.
Serrano expressed gratitude for the support from the local council and highlighted the enthusiastic response from the public, noting that tickets for the main event on Saturday have sold out. This solidifies the festival's status as a key date for fans of the genre. “This festival attracts enthusiasts from various parts of Spain and countries such as the United States, Sweden, Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom,” he stated, emphasising the international audience and the gathering of notable musical acts as defining features of this cultural offering.
Mayor Amores encouraged the community to participate, particularly in the free activities scheduled for Friday and Sunday, which provide an opportunity to discover and enjoy this musical style. He praised the uniqueness of doo wop, its vocal harmonies, and the atmosphere surrounding it, which brings together people from different generations and backgrounds united by a shared passion. “Music is not just something to listen to; it also serves to connect, share, and enjoy together,” he remarked.
Three days of music and activities
The festival will kick off on Friday, 23 October, at 20:00 with a free pre-party at the San Sebastián Cultural Centre. The evening will feature DJ sets from Dolfi Hepcat and Lonesome Cat, alongside a performance by the Mallorcan group Fame and the Flames.
On Saturday, 24 October, the Casa de la Cultura will host the main performances. The morning session will begin at 11:30 with doors opening for The Fairytales from Germany and The Mallor-Kings from Mallorca. The afternoon will continue from 17:30 with performances by The Velvet Candles, a Spanish group returning to La Roda; The Firebirds from the UK, making their festival debut; and Si Cranstoun, a prominent name known for contemporary retro sounds. Little Mar and Gus will serve as hosts for the event. Following the concerts, the festivities will move back to the San Sebastián Cultural Centre, where attendees can enjoy more music with DJ sets from Javi Tequila, Dolfi Hepcat, Lonesome Cat, and Cocran, all free of charge.
The festival will conclude on Sunday, 25 October, with a post-party at the Posada del Sol. Starting at 10:00, the public is invited to experience a unique jam session a cappella from 11:00 to 12:30, featuring festival artists without musical instruments. Serrano encouraged citizens to attend this final activity, especially those unfamiliar with the genre, as it allows for an appreciation of the vocal quality and harmonies that characterise doo wop.
He also explained that the change in dates from previous years is due to scheduling conflicts with other local events and the availability of international acts. “The aim is to maintain this event in the autumn calendar for future editions.” With this eighth edition, doo wop fever re-establishes La Roda's position in the circuit of festivals dedicated to vocal music, offering a blend of concerts, DJ sessions, and opportunities for artists and fans to engage with a musical culture rooted in the 1950s and 1960s.
