The Seville Prosecutor’s Office has completed its review regarding the transfer of Plaza de España for the Icónica music festival. Authorities found no evidence of crimes or violations by the city government or Green Cow Music, the event organizer. The case, initiated by sixteen music production companies, has been closed. These companies had accused the city hall of possible bias, improper use of municipal property, and irregularities in contract agreements, but prosecutors found no grounds to support these allegations.
During the investigation, all documents related to the site allocation were examined. Prosecutors noted that permits for using Plaza de España, a cultural heritage site, were granted in compliance with existing municipal regulations. Decisions were made only after receiving positive expert assessments and payment of all required fees. The agency emphasized that there was no evidence of arbitrary decisions or missed mandatory procedures, ruling out the possibility of official bias.
Agreement details
Particular attention was paid to the terms of the agreement between municipal company Contursa and the festival organizers. The prosecutor concluded that the contracts did not grant Green Cow Music any exclusive rights or advantages for hosting events in the future. At the time of the review, there were no official permits for holding the festival after 2026, and any statements by the organizers about plans for upcoming seasons were deemed their personal initiative.
Icónica organizers are required each year to obtain fresh permits and coordinate the project with various city departments, including Culture and Environment. According to promoter Javier Esteban, the paperwork process begins every spring. He noted that from the outset of their collaboration with the city council, the organizers have followed principles of sustainability and respect for the historic monument.
Reactions from the parties
Green Cow Music, which had previously refrained from public comment, stated after the case was closed that it is committed to transparency and legality. The organizers emphasized that over the past few years, they have turned Icónica into one of the country’s leading music festivals. However, they admitted the investigation had negatively impacted their financial stability and complicated negotiations with artists and sponsors. The company is now considering filing a counterclaim for unfair competition and damage to business reputation.
At the same time, sixteen production companies that filed the complaint disagree with the prosecutor’s decision and plan to take the matter to court. In their view, the investigation was superficial and failed to consider all the circumstances linked to the longstanding practice of assigning the venue to the same organizers year after year. They believe only a judicial review can ensure transparency and equal conditions for all market participants.
Alternative proposals
The prosecutor also considered claims that the city hall allegedly ignored alternative applications to hold musical events at Plaza de España. It was determined that Convertour submitted an incomplete set of documents that did not meet the requirements of local regulations. In particular, the necessary cultural and technical project documents were missing, which led to the application being rejected for review.
The agency specifically noted that granting the Icónica festival the status of an event of public interest did not mean it was awarded exclusive rights to commercially use Plaza de España. During the festival period, the venue also hosted other cultural, sporting, and tourism events. The prosecutor did not support the applicants’ allegation that the festival caused losses to the municipal budget due to allegedly low rental fees. It was confirmed that all dues and taxes were paid in full and licenses were issued in strict accordance with the law.
The future of the festival
In conclusion, the prosecutor’s office recommended that the city administration review and update regulations governing the use of historic venues to ensure they reflect modern realities and public expectations. City Hall has already begun work on a new version of the rules, which should clearly define the procedures for granting access to the venue, as well as the timing and conditions for holding events.
Since its inception in 2021, the Icónica festival has transformed Plaza de España into one of Spain’s premier concert venues. It has hosted both international stars and emerging artists, drawing audiences from across the country. Despite its commercial success, organizers point out that the festival receives no government support and faces criticism from some Seville residents. The main complaint is restricted access to Parque de María Luisa during concerts, when much of the park becomes off-limits to locals and visitors.
