Benicàssim (Castellón) hosted the 31st edition of the Rototom Sunsplash for a week, attracting 169,000 people from nearly a hundred countries. Attendees enjoyed concerts, cultural activities, and social and environmental awareness initiatives. Festival director Filippo Giunta presented the official report after the closing, emphasizing the audience's loyalty amidst a challenging context for the European live music sector.
The event, which began on August 16th with a 'Welcome Party', saw an average daily attendance of over 26,000, similar to the previous year. The participation included approximately 13,000 attendees under 13 and 7,100 individuals over 65, reflecting the festival's generational diversity.
Rototom Sunsplash reaffirmed its international character, with visitors from almost a hundred nations. Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the primary markets. The presence of attendees from places like Kenya, South Korea, or Venezuela further solidifies its global profile.
Critical thinking and social and environmental activism were central themes. The Social Forum, coordinated by the Exodus Foundation, drew over 1,100 attendees to its debates, addressing topics such as the climate emergency with activist Vandana Shiva, the housing crisis, and combating racist language with groups like ‘Top Manta’.
Regarding sustainability, the festival enhanced its green strategy. The installation of 54 drinking water points prevented the emission of approximately 300 tons of CO₂. Additionally, a solar battery system was implemented to reduce diesel consumption, and the venue was adapted as a climate refuge with shaded areas and rest points. Schedules were restructured to avoid the hottest hours, a change well-received by the audience.
The gastronomic offering provided a culinary journey through countries such as Senegal, Argentina, Japan, India, or Jamaica, featuring 25 international dishes and options that were vegetarian, vegan, and locally sourced.
In terms of musical programming, Giunta highlighted the festival's capacity to evolve towards new sonic horizons, shifting towards dancehall while maintaining dialogue with the pure roots sound. The aim was to reach a broader audience without losing the reggae essence. Rototom Sunsplash will return to Benicàssim in August 2027.
