Spanish concerts raise €469k for flood victims
A Spanish music industry initiative has raised nearly half a million euros for victims of the catastrophic floods that swept the country last November.
Valencia was the hardest-hit region in Spain’s worst flooding disaster in modern history and the deadliest to hit Europe in 50 years. At least 224 have died due to the weather phenomenon, known in Spain as DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos).
Under the banner Som València (We are Valencia), the music industry has since held 68 concerts in 32 cities featuring 480 artists, in less than a month.
More than 26,700 tickets were sold to these shows, raising more than €469,000 for the non-profit organisation Horta Sud Foundation, which will distribute the funds.
More than 26,700 tickets were sold to these shows, raising more than €469,000 for the non-profit organisation Horta Sud Foundation
Som València is just one fundraising element of the the Spanish music industry’s response. In late November, a charity concert held in Barcelona raised €775,000 for victims of the floods. Barcelona amb València took place at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi on 29 November, with tickets priced between €38-80, and attracted almost 15,000 people.
The Spanish sector also united for the sold-out Music from the Heart benefit gig at Madrid’s WiZink Center (cap. 17,456) on 24 November. More recently, Live Nation Spain president Pino Sagliocco teamed up with Teatro Pereyra Ibiza to present a further charity gig: Ainhoa Arteta and Ramón Vargas together for the DANA.
Valencia’s live music industry recently reported material losses exceeding €5 million and the cancellation of 300 concerts and festivals.
The Valencian Federation of the Music Industry, which represents 60 companies including venues, promoters, artistic agencies and festivals, has requested the creation of a short, medium and long-term recovery plan that includes financial aid, logistical support and fiscal measures that allow the reactivation of the sector.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.