"We bet on quality and comfort, not quantity," assures Spasky Otalora, the visible head of the Biscayan promoter Dekker Events. The festival, previously held at La Ola facilities in Sondika, now receives support from the Bilbao City Council and the BBK Foundation.
Fans of classic and veteran rock have ample reason to enjoy the tenth edition of Legends, taking place on Friday, June 26th, and Saturday, June 27th. Season tickets are available from 115 euros plus fees, and day tickets start at 70 euros plus fees. The first day will feature a performance by American rocker Chris Isaak. The following day, Tom Morello, former guitarist of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave, will give his only Spanish concert of the year.
Otalora believes that Legends holds its own space within the diverse landscape of Basque festivals, arguing that a "broad and diverse offering" is positive because it "enriches cultural life and allows very different proposals to coexist."
While acknowledging the "social dimension" and experiential component of Legends, its main promoter clarifies that "our focus remains clearly on the music." For them, "the lineup, the artists' careers, and the live performance are central; it's the core of Legends, along with our audience, who come to listen, enjoy high-level concerts, and experience music calmly and attentively."
In terms of capacity, Legends operates with "affordable numbers." Otalora feels "comfortable with the format" as it "fits our philosophy and our audience." The festival targets a profile that "highly values comfort, visibility, sound quality, and a pleasant experience, without crowds or massification," advocating for a model "far from the logic of gigantism, a very specific commitment to artistic quality and a carefully curated experience."
Economically, booking prestigious artists like Chris Isaak and Tom Morello results in "ever-higher fees," leading to "a very significant economic effort" behind the festival.
Spasky admits that "this Legends would be complicated without the support of the City Council and BBK." He states, "A festival like ours, based on artists with long careers, high fees, and corresponding production, would be almost impossible to sustain without that support." He considers the debate on subsidies "legitimate" when public money is involved, which entails "demands, transparency, and reflection on the return."
Any festival receiving public subsidies "can and should" have a cultural, social, and economic impact, according to Otalora. "In our case, we not only bring international artists to Bilbao and Euskadi who are difficult to see elsewhere, but we also generate activity for many professionals, companies, and services in the area. Furthermore, we contribute to positioning the city and reinforcing a unique cultural offering."
Ultimately, the head of Legends concludes, "the important thing is that institutional support is accompanied by a serious project, with identity, roots, and a commitment to adding value to the territory. It's not just about attracting visitors, but about building culture, and doing so with criteria."
