The festival will celebrate its 25th edition on June 17, 18 and 19, 2027 in Mendizabala (Vitoria-Gasteiz), with a program designed to celebrate a quarter of a century of rock'n'roll
Turning 25 deserves a full-blown celebration. Azkena Rock Festival reaches this milestone with the weight of a rich history and undiminished energy to keep forging ahead. On June 17, 18, and 19, 2027, Mendizabala will once again bring together several generations around a lineup that, once again, brings together a variety of genres. Classic rock 'n' roll, hard rock, and punk coexist with grunge, stoner rock, and heavy metal, intertwining with the raw energy of garage rock, the distortion of noise, the melodies of indie rock, and the nostalgia of glam, while also reserving space for the sensitivity of country, blues, folk, and Americana music.
The 25th anniversary of Azkena Rock Festival has announced its full lineup , headlined by three fundamental names in rock history who will perform a single show in Spain in 2027: Patti Smith, Bad Religion, and Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators. Few artists combine poetry, rock, and counterculture with the power of Patti Smith , who will return to Mendizabala after receiving the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts, with a repertoire featuring hits like " People Have the Power" and " Because the Night . " Bad Religion will revisit more than four decades of their career with their unmistakable, masterful punk that blends melody, speed, and social and political commentary, while Slash , along with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators , will return to Vitoria-Gasteiz after their 2010 performance, delivering hard rock built on the iconic Guns N' Roses guitarist's signature riffs and Kennedy's powerful vocals. Joining this historic celebration will be Marilyn Manson , the darkest and most theatrical facet of late 20th-century rock. The "Reverend" will unleash his stage magnetism in Mendizabala with a defiant and distorted industrial metal, backed by a savage attitude and masterpieces like Antichrist Superstar . Meanwhile, Wilco , with Jeff Tweedy at the helm, will contribute their musical mastery, drawing on the richest roots of alternative rock and American art-country with albums like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and A Ghost Is Born.
Roots music, a fundamental aspect of the festival since its inception, will once again take center stage in 2027. This edition will feature some major returns, such as The Waterboys , who will be back after their 2006 visit, led by Mike Scott, following four decades of expansive rock, Irish folk, and acoustic roots. 16 Horsepower will represent gothic Americana after a twenty-year hiatus with their dark and spiritual universe that blends country, Appalachian folk, gospel, and alternative rock, while Dave Alvin & The Guilty Ones will explore blues, country, and folk with the founder of The Blasters. From Dallas come Old 97’s , essential to understanding 90s alt-country and masters at fusing it with rock 'n' roll and punk urgency; Billy Bragg will unite punk, folk, and protest songs; and American Aquarium , fronted by BJ Barham, will transform everyday stories into the raw material for their alt-country and southern rock.
John Garcia , original vocalist of Kyuss and a key figure in the Palm Desert scene, will contribute heavy riffs, psychedelia, and a gritty, stoner-tinged groove, while the blues will be represented by one of its great contemporary voices, Beth Hart , capable of taking each song from vulnerability to maximum intensity. Rival Sons will unleash their powerful take on 70s hard rock infused with electric blues, soul, psychedelia, and stoner, and this broad landscape will be rounded out by The Southern River Band with their Australian-influenced hard rock and boogie, the duo Parker Barrow with their southern rock, blues, and soul from Nashville, and Cherry Poppin' Daddies , blending swing, ska, punk, and jazz. Also joining the lineup are Gran Cañón , a rock supergroup fronted by Carlos Tarque, Leiva, and Iván González “Chapo,” and The Bird Experience , led by Heath's singer, who will fuse psychedelic blues, soul, and funk with improvisation.
Punk and its most distorted frequencies in all their variations will also play an important role. Michael Monroe will revive the legacy of Hanoi Rocks, an essential band for 80s punk, glam, and rock 'n' roll. From Canada, Billy Talent will present their blend of punk rock, post-hardcore, and alternative rock. Super 400 will return after their acclaimed 2007 show with their powerful fusion of blues, psychedelia, and hard rock, and the Australians The Drones will return after a long hiatus with their mix of blues-punk, garage, gothic folk, and experimental electronic noise. From London's East End, Cockney Rejects will reaffirm their status as living legends of British punk, the Oi! movement, and the street spirit of the late 70s; psychedelia, garage, and instrumental fuzz will be provided by the British band The Bevis Frond . Distortion will take new paths with Girls Against Boys and their more than three decades crossing post-delia, garage, indie, and fuzz, while Foxy Shazam will bring glam, soul, punk, and hard rock to an excessive and theatrical live show. The celebration will further broaden its scope with Twin Temple, the “satanic doo-wop” duo that combines occultism and rock with 50s and 60s rhythm & blues, and Bratakus will unleash their hardcore punk and riot grrrl. The Spanish scene will also have a strong presence with Cala Vento , capable of building a wall of sound from guitar, drums, and a deeply DIY philosophy. From the Basque Country, The Clayton will bring their high-energy, Scandinavian-rooted rock, BARRRK will play on home turf with their mix of stoner, grunge, and alternative rock, and Marte Lasarte will open up Basque rock to synthesizers, electronica, and pop melodies.
Those who have attended previous editions of Azkena Rock Festival can now purchase their tickets at a reduced price, while general sales are also open at a promotional price through azkenarockfestival.com.
It can also be purchased Gaztea Bonus (for those under 24 years of age), and the Crew BonusDesigned for groups of friends who are loyal to the festival (6 passes at a reduced price). This year, the installment payment option will still be available, and entry will be free for children under 14. The festival will maintain the bus service to get to and from the festival, offering organized trips from nearby cities such as Altsasu, Arrasate, Barakaldo, Bilbao, Burgos, Donostia, Errenteria, Getxo, Irún, Miranda de Ebro, Pamplona, Portugalete, Rentería and Zarautz.
The amplifiers of Azkena Rock Festival They will roar louder than ever in 2027, when the festival celebrates 25 editions of a history that has included some of the most important figures in international rock, from Bob Dylan, Blondie, Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett or John Fogerty to The Who, Kiss or Pearl Jam, along with essential names from the national scene such as Los Zigarros or Lagartija Nick and numerous discoveries that have found their own place in Mendizabala. A quarter of a century faithful to an open, passionate and unprejudiced way of understanding rock'n'roll in all its aspects.
The festival will once again be a celebration of that shared identity, sustained by a loyal community that has made Mendizabala much more than just a venue. Its green, comfortable setting, close to the center of Vitoria-Gasteiz, along with the city's character as a Green Capital and gastronomic landmark, will once again provide the perfect backdrop to celebrate 25 years of music, gatherings, and unbridled energy. Leading this journey is Last Tour, an independent cultural promoter certified as a B Corp, committed to a responsible and values-driven event model.
The organization especially thanks the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, the Álava Provincial Council, Kutxabank, Petronor and St. Petroni, who contribute to and make the festival possible.
