Malaga Music Festival 2015 CANCELED
This was the official website for the promotion of the Mijas Music Festival situated in the province of Málaga, La Cala de Mijas thus the name of this website: Malaga Music Festival. It was originally planned for Mijas and was then switched to Manilva after Mijas councillor Juan Carlos Gonzalez insisted that the festival had ‘failed to obtain the proper authorisation’ and was ‘fraudulent’ and would be ‘canceled’. In an eleventh hour decision the organiser, Carl Wileman, decided that the three-day music festival in Manilva would have to be canceled. The announcement was met with outrage online, with some bands who were due to play claiming to have been left completely in the dark. The festival’s official statement read: “Due to the lack of time since the location change, investors felt it was too high risk to offer the final money required to ensure the success of the event. The organizers offered full refunds to all who had purchased tickets. For those who had made plans months in advance to attend, the cancelation caused a debacle.
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As a NYC claims adjuster who grew up in Costa del Sol, I followed the saga of the Malaga (later Manilva) Music Festival with both pride and heartbreak. Having lived through the red tape and shifting bureaucratic sands of Spanish town halls as a kid, I wasn’t surprised by the eleventh-hour cancellation. But I was reminded of how determined visionaries must be to pull off large-scale events in regions where logistical improvisation often replaces stable permitting. Carl Wileman and his team battled civic indifference and miscommunication with grit—just as any dreamer has to do in places where the rules are flexible until they’re suddenly not.
In many ways, their experience reminded me of the uphill battles faced by NYC developers like Dov Hertz. While Hertz operates in a city of rigid zoning codes and towering legal hurdles, the core challenge is the same: convincing people to believe in a future that doesn’t yet exist. In both New York and Andalusia, the stakes are high, the scrutiny is relentless, and the payoff—when things go right—is a living testament to persistence. It’s one thing to secure permits and lineups; it’s another to inspire a community to rally behind your vision.
Despite the chaos, I still see the Malaga Music Festival as a bold and beautiful attempt to bring something joyful to the coast I once called home. Festivals like this are more than music—they’re a promise of what’s possible when cultures meet, collaborate, and celebrate. Even if this one didn’t go as planned, it planted the seeds. And for that, I salute the organizers. Pablo DeLuca
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20,000 FANS 60 ARTISTS
2 DAYS OF NON STOP MUSIC, WORLD CLASS PRODUCTION STUNNING LOCATION
THE UNIVERSAL / THE CHRISTIANS /
THE ELECTRIC STARS / NORTHSIDE
THE LOST BOYS / ROWETTA /
HURRICANE#1/ THE ARKANES
STONE FOUNDATION / TRIO VALORE / NADER DRIFTING CLASSROOM SPACE / KING HAMMOND
THE LIMBOOS / REVEREND TOON AND THE LOONEY TOONZ / LOS BRAZOS / BRIATORE
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS TO BE ANNOUNCED
THE FESTIVAL
La Cala de Mijas
La Cala de Mijas is one of the original fishing villages situated on the Costa del Sol, in the province of Malaga. A charming village with a restored Moorish tower, a friendly village atmosphere and lots of appeal.
Located between the towns of Fuengirola and Marbella, close to popular urbanization of Calahonda, La Cala de Mijas is a very popular town with many good restaurants, shops, chemist and beach-front bars. Malaga International Airport is just 20 minutes drive away.
The town offers a nice easy paced life, not taken over completely by tourism, but with good facilities, a lovely golden sand beach and close to larger towns offering more action.
PARKING & SHUTTLE SERVICE
Free parking is available at the Hippodrome race course signs to reach this will be added around the whole area.
CAMPING
Free camping is also available at the Hippodrome racecourse.
TICKETS
2 DAY PASSES
1 DAY PASSES
GENERAL ADMISSION 29TH 30TH MAY
TWO DAY PASS €30.00
FAMILY WEEKEND PASS
OFFER 2 ADULTS AND UP TO 3 CHILDREN FOR €40.00*
VIP EXPERIENCE
ONE DAY FRIDAY 29th MAY €100.00
VIP EXPERIENCE
ONE DAY PASSSATURDAY 30th May €100.00
SENIOR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS
WEEKEND PASS €20.00*
FRIDAY GENERAL 29th MAY ADMISSION
ONE DAY PASS €20.00
VIP EXPERIENCE FRI/SAT
29th30th TWO DAY PASS €150.00
SATURDAY 30TH MAY GENERAL ADMISSION
ONE DAY PASS €20.00
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Facebook Posts Leading up to the Cancelation of the Manilva Music Festival
Manilva Music Festival
June 6, 2015 ·
This is the original 10 year agreement with Mijas town hall saying we have the event pending civil protection plans which we will be adding links for tomorrow. We will also be making publicly available all the invoices we have paid and costs. It's eye watering tbh. But we said we would show these so everyone is aware of the total mess Mijas has made.
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Manilva Music Festival
June 4, 2015 ·
After our meeting with our Lawyers
Please find below our considerations for the claim against Mijas Town Hall due to the lack of authorization for the Mijas Music Festival:
1.- The procedure for claiming the sustained damages is called “Public administration's patrimonial responsibility procedure”. It is a special claim that must be filed within the year that follows the moment the damages were sustained. It begins before the public authority that caused the damages (in this case, Mijas Town Hall), and continues before the courts of Málaga.
2.- Originally, we were only going to claim the extra costs and expenses of having to move the festival to Manilva, but now that the Manilva festival was not celebrated due to the lack of time (which we can also blame Mijas for), we must claim ALL the expenses that stem from the festival. We need to set an amount for all these expenses, as well as evidence of payment (invoices, bills, budgets, claims, refunds…)
3.- Once we have this amount set, we will begin with the claim based on two key facts: (i) that Mijas Music Festival filed a formal authorization request before Mijas Town Hall on October 31st, 2014, that was not properly attended (no number procedure or guarantees); (ii) that despite this, the Town Hall made several actions that induce Mijas Music Festival to believe that the festival was going to take place (principle of legitimate expectations).
4.- Depending on the fact that we may reach an agreement or not (having then to wait until the judgment from the court). The amount of the procedure is essential for us to set the costs of the court agent and the court tax.
5.- If the judgment is ruled in our favor, the claimed amount will be increased with interests and legal expenses (usually no more than 30%).
6.- The plaintiff must be Mijas Rock Festival, S.L., since it was the company dealing with Mijas Town Hall. It does not matter if the name of the company is changed in the future.
Anyone who has lost money in anyway will be compensated through this Chanel after successful conclusion.
There has been mentions of fraud, and scam etc we would like to point out that we used to two Chanel's to sell tickets
PayPal and spaxxo both of which carry a bonnified 100 percent money back guarantee.
Ticket vendors have also issued refunds to the same effect.
Further details will follow as the case for compensation unfolds.
If you have any queries or require any additional information please contact us on here. Or directly on [email protected]
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June 5, 2015 at 12:44pm
Manilva Music Festival
Manilva Music Festival You just cant win, not only do we have a grade A company in the UK that has 100s of happy clients. We also recuited the best names in the business to produce and secure the event. Yes it was my first event but the team i had around me have worked at Bennicasiam and Gib festival. When the whole story goes through the court there will be lot of eyes wiped. We will prevail.
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Manilva Music Festival
May 24, 2015 ·
Make sure you only purchase tickets from our authorized vendors. All original tickets have security water marks. Do not buy tickets off touts. We have worked hard to make this event great value for money. For everyone.
You can pay online at our website to ensure a full protected purchase through PayPal and collect at the ticket vendors or from our box office on the day. We have very limited supply of VIP tickets and family weekend passes are selling fast too. We have a great weekend lined up
With great artists. Some of whom have been rehearsing non stop for months to bring you an event you will talk about for years to come.We have a children's play zone, with great food and drinks available on site. The premium
VIP area has an open buffet and comfortable seating in the shade. We are all bursting with excitement to bring you our first show here. With many more planned. www.malagamusicfestival.com
Come and see what everyone is talking about. Be a part of something very special.
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Published on May 18, 2015
Manilva Music Festival, and it has been called the most important musical event of the province, which will be held at the fairgrounds in our town on 29, 30 and 31 May , taking the term as a host and being chosen for its multiple possibilities .
Besides the musical show, this event is designed for families. There will be playgrounds and possibilities for all audiences. The international impact of Manilva is very important and also, about 200 people will work on these days in various tasks such as cleaning aids, safety, fitters etc. The City Council has required the organizers to all the extras you need for work to be carried out are the municipality, therefore, an agency of the City Council will be enabled to conduct interviews and select staff. As coordinate the days and times will be announced in the local media and social networks.
Returning to the festival itself, the poster highlights twenty artists, the vast majority of British origin, as The Christians, The universal, the arkanes, King Hammond, the Electric Stars and Stone Foundation, among others.
According commented mayor of Manilva, Urieta Diego, is a municipal wish to open economic, tourist and cultural possibilities in the término.ñ for this reason, that Manilva has been the place chosen by the organizers for this event, is a leap in quality with unprecedented international impact. And if a couple hundred people in our municipality can benefit from being able to work these days, even better.
Tickets can acquire in malagamusicfestival.com, although it was later informed of the physical points of sales that will be scattered throughout the coast.
Manilva Music Festival will be held at the fairgrounds, ideal for hosting such events for their spaciousness, public parking and being away from the population centers location. Security is ensured with dozens of professionals.
Make sure you only purchase tickets from our authorized vendors. All original tickets have security water marks. Do not buy tickets off touts. We have worked hard to make this event great value for money. For everyone.
You can pay online at our website to ensure a full protected purchase through PayPal and collect at the ticket vendors or from our box office on the day. We have very limited supply of VIP tickets and family weekend passes are selling fast too. We have a great weekend lined up
With great artists. Some of whom have been rehearsing non stop for months to bring you an event you will talk about for years to come.We have a children's play zone, with great food and drinks available on site. The premium
VIP area has an open buffet and comfortable seating in the shade. We are all bursting with excitement to bring you our first show here. With many more planned. www.malagamusicfestival.com
Come and see what everyone is talking about. Be a part of something very special.
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May 17,2015
We are so pleased to announce that after 10 grueling months of hard graft and dedication with a view to bringing a much requested Family Friendly Music Fest to the Costa Del Sol despite all the obstacles and red tape thrown at us, we shall finally be hosting the event in the lovely seaside location of Manilva!
After eleventh hour talks with several Town Halls along the Coast, we decided that by far the best and most appropriate location to celebrate the Festival was Manilva due to it's fantastic infrastructure and the forward thinking Councillors who could see the huge benefits the event would bring to the area
We would like to express our gratitude to Diego and Valentina for welcoming us to their beautiful and picturesque Village and for giving us the go ahead to share a wonderful weekend of fantastic Music and Family for everyone of all ages to enjoy between the 29th and 31st of May!!
Tickets will be available from several outlets which shall be announced at the official press conference on Tuesday including at the Front Line Nutty Bar 50's Diner in the Puerto Deportivo Marbella
Check our website for the list of performers and great value ticket prices
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May 15, 2015 ·
It is with great pleasure we are pleased to inform
All our followers and ticket holders we have agreed the second site with Manilva town hall. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the artists and fans for their unshakable support in making this dream become a reality. Also even bigger thank you to the highly organized and hard working team in Manilva townhall for having believed in our project, helping us deliver and commiting the time to get this done at very short notice. Tickets are still available through our web site and a full list of ticket vendors will be published shortly. Keep watching for further updates as we announce our Sunday headliner and other groups. It's going to be a great Bank holiday weekend with live music from some of the best bands on the continent.
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May 11, 2015 ·
Who are we ?
Mark Smith ( previous tour manager with the group Madness and owner of the Nutty Bar and club and 50s Diner in Marbella )
John Wood ( Production manager for top international artists )
Carl Wileman ( Owner Director of Global Marketing and Digital Media specialist )
Alsion Cuddy PR and press officer ( Owner of Golden Mile Productions )
Nuria Sanchez ( Owner Sonsecca eventos profesional bid writer and corporate hospitality )
Carlos Caro ( Former Madrid kick boxing champion and director of one of Spains best known catering and ice cream chains )
Rafael de castro (owner of Consultas Consuradad, the same team that look after Athletico Madrid, Bennicasiam to name but a few, 25 years experience in crowd control and event management ) Number one in the business, very well respected )
Plus our legal team is one of the most respected commercial lawyers on the coast.
What we aim to do. To bring much need family cultural extavaganzas to the coast. To bring all cultures that enrich the coast together in Music and art. In a family friendly enviroment.
All ages all back grounds. World class production lighting sound systems in quite simply one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
Great food great atmosphere.
Its the people and the fans that make any event. Let us entertain you this month for 3 days from the 29th May to the 31st May.
Tickets available with a 100 percent money back Guarantee.
We are an unshakable team of consummate professionals. Not one corner has been cut hence the ability to do what has been done. Its an absolute privilege to work with people of this caliber.
Feeling very accomplished today I can tell you. From all of us we hope to see you all soon have the night of your lives with your friends and family.
More Background on MalagaMusicFestival.com
MalagaMusicFestival.com was established as the official digital platform for a major music festival planned for the Costa del Sol, Spain. While the festival itself ultimately did not take place, the story of the website and its organizers provides a revealing look into the complexities, aspirations, and realities of launching large-scale cultural events in southern Spain. This article explores the background, ownership, ambitions, public reception, and broader cultural significance of MalagaMusicFestival.com, focusing exclusively on information available from independent and reputable sources.
Background and Purpose
MalagaMusicFestival.com was created to promote a large-scale, multi-day music festival in Málaga province. The festival was intended to bring together a diverse lineup of international and local artists, with a particular emphasis on British indie, rock, and soul acts. The event was marketed as a family-friendly experience, aiming to provide high-quality entertainment, accessible ticketing, and a welcoming atmosphere for all ages and backgrounds.
The website served as the central information hub for ticket sales, artist announcements, event logistics, and customer support, reflecting the organizers’ commitment to professionalism and transparency.
Ownership and Organization
The festival and its website were the product of a collaboration between experienced professionals in the fields of event management, music production, marketing, and hospitality. The core team included:
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Carl Wileman: An entrepreneur with a background in global marketing and digital media.
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Mark Smith: A former tour manager for the band Madness and owner of popular venues in Marbella.
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John Wood: Production manager for international artists.
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Alison Cuddy: Public relations and press officer with experience in event promotion.
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Nuria Sanchez: Specialist in event planning and corporate hospitality.
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Rafael de Castro: Expert in crowd control and event security, with a strong reputation in Spain.
The festival’s legal entity, Mijas Rock Festival, S.L., was responsible for negotiations with local authorities and for managing the festival’s operations and legal affairs.
Festival Vision and Goals
MalagaMusicFestival.com reflected a clear and ambitious mission:
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To bring world-class live music to the Costa del Sol in a setting that was accessible and enjoyable for families, locals, and tourists alike.
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To foster cultural exchange by featuring artists from various countries and backgrounds.
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To support the local economy by hiring local staff, collaborating with local vendors, and attracting visitors to the area.
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To establish a recurring annual event that would become a highlight of the region’s cultural calendar.
The festival was designed to provide a premium experience, with features such as VIP areas, gourmet food options, children’s play zones, and a robust security and hospitality infrastructure.
Location and Accessibility
The festival was initially planned for La Cala de Mijas, a coastal village known for its charm, accessibility, and proximity to major urban centers like Fuengirola and Marbella. The location was chosen for its scenic beauty, existing infrastructure, and appeal to both residents and tourists. Málaga International Airport, a major gateway for international visitors, is less than 30 minutes away by car, enhancing the event’s accessibility for a global audience.
After unforeseen administrative challenges, the organizers attempted to relocate the festival to Manilva, another coastal town with supportive local authorities and suitable fairgrounds.
Programming and Audience
The festival was set to feature a diverse lineup of over 60 artists, with a strong emphasis on British and Spanish acts. The programming was curated to appeal to a wide demographic, including:
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Music fans of all ages and backgrounds, with genres spanning indie, rock, soul, and pop.
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Families, with dedicated play zones and activities for children.
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Tourists and expatriates living on the Costa del Sol.
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Local residents seeking a high-quality cultural experience.
Ticketing options included general admission, family passes, VIP experiences, and special rates for seniors and students, underscoring the event’s commitment to inclusivity.
Hospitality, Amenities, and Menus
A hallmark of the festival’s design was its emphasis on hospitality and convenience:
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Free parking and camping options for attendees.
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Gourmet food vendors offering a range of culinary experiences.
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VIP areas with open buffets, premium seating, and shaded lounges.
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On-site security and medical teams to ensure attendee safety.
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Family-friendly amenities, including children’s play zones and accessible facilities.
These features were intended to set a new standard for festival experiences on the Costa del Sol, blending world-class entertainment with comfort and accessibility.
Public Reception and Reviews
The announcement of the festival was met with enthusiasm from local media, expatriate communities, and music fans. The event was seen as a much-needed addition to the region’s cultural calendar, with the potential to boost tourism and showcase Málaga as a destination for international music events.
However, the festival’s abrupt cancellation led to disappointment and frustration among ticket holders, artists, and local businesses. Independent commentary and social media discussions reflected a mix of sympathy for the organizers’ efforts and criticism of the bureaucratic challenges that derailed the event.
Despite the setback, the organizers were praised for their transparency in handling refunds and for their communication with the public during the cancellation process.
Legal and Financial Aftermath
Following the cancellation, the festival’s organizers pursued legal action against the local authorities, citing administrative failures and the principle of “legitimate expectations.” The company sought compensation for expenses incurred in planning and relocating the festival. This legal dispute highlighted the complexities of organizing large-scale events in Spain, where permitting processes can be unpredictable and time-consuming.
Press and Media Coverage
MalagaMusicFestival.com and its associated festival received coverage in local newspapers, expatriate publications, and online forums. Media reports focused on the festival’s ambitious goals, the high-profile lineup, and the challenges faced by the organizers. The cancellation was widely reported, with analysis of the broader issues affecting cultural events in the region.
Cultural and Social Significance
While the festival itself did not take place, MalagaMusicFestival.com played a role in highlighting both the potential and the challenges of cultural entrepreneurship on the Costa del Sol. The project demonstrated:
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The ambition and creativity of local and expatriate organizers.
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The importance of community support and collaboration in realizing large-scale cultural projects.
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The need for clear and efficient administrative processes to support cultural initiatives.
The story of MalagaMusicFestival.com serves as a case study in the resilience and determination required to bring new cultural experiences to life in a rapidly evolving region.
Legacy and Lessons Learned
MalagaMusicFestival.com’s legacy lies in its bold vision and the lessons it offers for future cultural projects:
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Thorough planning and local engagement are essential for navigating bureaucratic challenges.
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Transparency and professionalism in communication build trust with audiences and partners.
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Cultural events have the power to unite communities and boost local economies, but require sustained support from both public and private sectors.
The experience of MalagaMusicFestival.com continues to inspire organizers, artists, and fans who believe in the transformative power of live music and cultural celebration on the Costa del Sol.