Rolling Stone UK at Mallorca Live Festival 2025: music, meaning and Mediterranean energy
In partnership with Mallorca Live Festival
By Susan Hansen
Home to more than two hundred beaches, Calvià in Mallorca in the Balearic Islands is a municipality of lush mediterranean culture. Tall waving palm trees are on every street, no matter what direction you walk in. They epitomise the location, as if at one with it. As prominent is the multitude of flowers, just about everywhere, it’s integral to the setting, adds a perfect touch to the idyllic location.
It’s the ideal place for boutique festival Mallorca Live Festival. It comes alive every summer. In its eighth year, the music event remains a popular, constantly evolving affair. Each time it punches above its weight, delivering something remarkable to expand the scale of the ambition, the introduction of a new on-site feature or an art installation piece.
60,000 attendees over the course of the three days, as an array of talent play across five stages. Estrella Damm, the main one, is the central point that brings all ticket holders together. Innovation and intel influence all aspects of the schedule, with curated acts that range from discovery right through to international stadium headliners. Since launching in 2016 global stars like Christina Aguilera, C. Tangana, Peggy Gou, Muse, Black Eyed Peas, Pet Shop Boys, Blondie and many more have vowed audiences here.
The viability of the booking strategy is bullet-proof. Because striking the right balance is not straightforward, but Artistic Director & Booking Manager Sebastian Vera, who oversees music scheduling, understands how to. “We try to have this strategy where we put different artists on stages that can help us sell tickets and build a brand around the festival.”
Driven by an instinct to pioneer, he believes in putting on Latin American, European, North American and British artists, let them come together under one roof. His career as a live agent is useful; he offers valuable insights to inform the booking process. The work is paying off, and this year 80 artists from four continents played.
One of the big acts this year is Massive Attack. As 3D implies, they have a key message to communicate. “This whole concert is in solidarity with the Palestinian people.” Kicking off the arty extravaganza in a sombre mood is befitting, especially given the urgent nature of the message they are on a mission to reiterate. The enigmatic, long-lasting quality of the Bristol collective is free to work its magic on the Spanish-speaking audience. Genre-bending and politically charged, the cooperative has been at the centre of the Israel-Gaza war debate in creative circles.
To witness their magnetic presence is special. From cheers to emotional outpouring, what unfolds is astonishing. Set highlights are hard to pick, but encompass ‘Future Proof’, Jeff Buckley cover ‘Song to the Siren, and ‘Teardrop’, both of which feature Cocteau Twins vocalist Elizabeth Fraser, and ‘Unfinished Sympathy’, which Deborah Miller capably tackles. A string of video inserts depicts powerful messages on a digital backdrop; the thing that glues together the running order to convey meaning. This display has been unifying and compelling.
Scheduled to start their set soon after, Suede make excellent use of every second. “This is our very last show of our Autofiction tour,” declares singer Brett Anderson. The staging reflects the importance of his words, and the legendary Britpop band’s set is one for the history books. On splendid form, the London quintet produces a zesty, career-spanning concert designed to enthral. The charismatic frontman and cohorts go the extra mile with a production that is no letdown, with as much moving about as crowd singalongs. Sprinkled across the parade of hits are songs like ‘Trash’, ‘Animal Nitrate’, ‘The Drowners’ and ‘Filmstar’. A rapturous response, Suede sound better than ever.
The ability to secure top headliners is one thing; minimising the impact on the environment is another. Happy to lead by example on sustainability, recycling points are placed throughout, as is the well-functioning system of reusable, refundable plastic cups due for return to the bar area prior to leaving the site. Describing this as the cleanest music location is no exaggeration – the complete absence of any wrapping or food on the ground lifts the overall experience.
Stretching further than cups and recycling points, the sustainable thread carries on. This time it’s through means of visual art and Mallorca – Govern de les Illes Balears Stage. Celebrating local designer Pablo Erroz style, it underlines the island’s unique culture. As part of the commitment to music and design, it aims to strengthen the relationship between the Balearic Islands and the event itself.
A canvas promotes the environmentally responsible approach, with graphic references alluding to the climate and the regional summer. Its contemporary aesthetic is deeply rooted in local identity; it pays homage to festival values by combining art and sustainability. The eco-friendly canvas will be recycled and made into 30×30 cm pieces and then turned into tote bags. A fascinating way to connect the broader climate issue and art.
Back in headliner mode, on Sunday Iggy Pop is about to cement his position as godfather of punk. The former Stooges frontman is completely up to the mark. Shirtless, of course, he shows so much character. His entertainment style is destined to win rock gatherings; this crowd is no exception. It’s electrifying to experience it all in person. Playing with a full band, who deliver a thunderous, layered sound that gets better as the show progresses. The sound is focused with evergreens, classic numbers like ‘Raw Power’, ‘Lust for Life’ and ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ truly shine. Forever unbeatable, this is an iconic execution that sees Iggy Pop pull out all the stops. A rock spectacle like no other.
Elsewhere, on the smaller stages, there is a ton of action. British indie alt-rockers Birmingham band The Clause are known for giving vibrant live shows. Hotly tipped risers Fez make a strong impression. The neo-psychedelic East-Londoners show how tight they sound. Fun to watch, they are equally unafraid to unlock self-ironic commentary and stream of consciousness-like observations with confidence. One to watch.
On the Spanish side, emerging indie groups TRISTÁN! and Niños Bravos on Radio 3 stand out. They have attitude and thrive in the live environment, while a lengthier set means that punks Biznaga are given time to showcase their repertoire, let the songs envelop the crowd. With a fun-loving thirst and fuzzy guitar lines to match they create curiosity, this could see them get more nations on board, win new territory.
The wider plan is all-consuming here. In the future Sebastian Vera would like to introduce more countries to the stages. “As an artistic director who loves stages, because we can put on bands, I’d love to have a stage where I could put on a band from China, a band from Taiwan and a band from the Philippines. And I will, if I can find the budget.”
Mallorca Live Festival is a dream fiesta of music and Mediterranean way of life. Forming a noticeable cultural bond that is extensive, it’s a rich connection, and the relationship between the Anglo- and Spanish-speaking world is as rewarding as it’s irresistible. Long may this continue.