The Rototom Sunsplash festival, held in Benicàssim (Castellón), has concluded its 31st edition with a participation of 169,000 people from close to one hundred countries. Over a week, attendees enjoyed not only music but also cultural and social and environmental awareness activities.
Festival director Filippo Giunta presented a positive assessment of the event, highlighting the audience's loyalty in a complex economic climate for live music in Europe. The overall participation figure, including the welcome party, maintained an average of over 26,000 attendees per day, similar to the previous edition, with a notable presence of 13,000 children under 13 and 7,100 individuals over 65.
The festival welcomed visitors from five continents, with significant representation from Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as attendees from countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, South Korea, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Cambodia, or Thailand.
The Rototom Social Forum, organized by the Exodus Foundation, served as a central hub for critical thinking and social and environmental activism, attracting over 1,100 attendees to its four days of debate. Topics addressed included the climate emergency, with the participation of Indian activist Vandana Shiva, the housing crisis, and the fight against racist language, supported by collectives like 'Top Manta' or 'Afrodiccionario'.
The festival also extended its atmosphere to the province's prison population and promoted a campaign to support social projects through contributions from the audience.
In terms of sustainability, Rototom installed 54 drinking water points, preventing the emission of approximately 300 tons of CO₂. A system of solar batteries was implemented to reduce diesel consumption, the venue was adapted as a climate refuge, and the schedule was adjusted to avoid the hottest hours, a measure well-received by the public.
The gastronomic offering was international, featuring 25 world dishes from countries such as Senegal, Argentina, Japan, India, or Jamaica, including vegetarian, vegan, and local (km0) options.
Regarding the artistic program, organizers highlighted the festival's capacity to transform without losing its essence, with a shift towards dancehall in dialogue with pure roots and pioneering sounds. Giunta noted that the lineup was designed to reach a broader audience while maintaining its reggae roots. The Rototom Sunsplash will return to Benicàssim in August 2027.
