DELESTE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025 (EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORT)

The thirteenth edition of Deleste Festival , held this past weekend in Valencia, repeated its success, bringing together some 7,000 attendees regarding all its activities. A loyal audience vibrated in the Jardines de Viveros with exciting live acts including Teenage Fanclub , Deadletter , Yellow Days , Death In Vegas and The Vaccines , among others. It has become an unmissable event in the festival calendar that turns the Valencian capital into the epicentre of independent music every spring.

We were excited to experience another edition—the 13th, no small feat—of the Deleste Festival . And once again, the results lived up to expectations, leaving attendees with a wonderful taste in their mouths (and an even better aftertaste in their ears). And the artists were delighted with the wonderful audience at a festival that has already become a must-attend event.

On Friday, May 16, the festival kicked off under a radiant sun, and those early to arrive at Deleste Festival found the best possible setting with MEdj , a classy mix and a sympathetic host. Also in the booth, Amadeu Sanchis surprised us, so aptly reviewing the history of music via the turntables.

Although the first live performances were a surprise, and a pleasant one. To start, Faixa ‘s Folklore 2.0 , who played at home and amply demonstrated that their work, even more so thanks to those visuals, has a lot of joy. And then, a real revelation, Anna of the North . The Norwegian Anna Loterudd won over the audience thanks to the warmth—despite her origins—of her performance: synth-pop songs with addictive melodies and elegant beats, including a highly inspired version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” immortalized by Sinéad O’Connor .

The soulful touch would come with Yellow Days . Of course, that soul is in the very particular way George van den Broek understands the genre. From the initial delicacy to the shirtless finish, everything about his show was a continuous crescendo. Anyone would paint their days yellow.

And after the British band, the highlight of the day arrived: Kruder & Dorfmeister . The Austrians haven’t lost any of that cool touch that made their sets and remixes legendary in the late ’90s and early ’00s , and they turned the first night of this Deleste Festival into a dance floor we wouldn’t hesitate to stay for. And yes, it wasn’t a figment of our imagination: “Love Is In The Air” was also played in their live show.

Saturday was set to start early, to shake off the emotional hangover from Friday. To do so, we entrusted ourselves to the sensitivity of Ana Zomeño , a local singer-songwriter of exquisite sensibility and one of the most promising voices on the Valencian scene, in the inner courtyard of the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia . What a way to kick off the second day!

Already at the Jardines de Viveros, Haya Pazz was waiting for us , receiving the cheers of those already rushing to secure their spot at the festival as if she were a true rock and roll star . She never failed to show attitude, both on and off the stage. The same attitude was possessed on stage by Mr Sanchez , a local band that brought together an audience as loyal as they were devoted to their powerful repertoire.

British band Deadletter also have plenty of star power . They arrived at this Deleste Festival with a lot of hype behind them, thanks to comparisons with recent phenomena like Fontaines DC . And boy, did they not disappoint! Much of the blame, beyond their lightning-fast songs and top-notch stage presence, of course, lies with their frontman: Zack Lawrence, who was born to rock ‘n’ roll.

After the storm, calm returns. Such illustrious veterans as Teenage Fanclub know how to play their cards well. And the deck of cards they unfolded before our eyes and ears, what more could many wish for: that avalanche of immense, timeless songs that will accompany us yesterday, today, and forever. This was a Class A for a melodic and sentimental education: infallible, relatable, and live geniuses. What more could you ask for from a concert?

Others who play in a different league are The Vaccines , and they also have plenty of hymns to spare. And Justin Young, without a doubt, is from another planet, a most charismatic alien who (temporarily) abducted thousands of people during the show; it was one of those concerts that immediately become part of the Deleste Festival ‘s golden history.

History is also Toxicosmos DJ , one of those DJs with the same old-school craft, more of a guru than a simple DJ. It’s said that there’s no better music selector in all of Valencia. We’d raise the stakes and say, perhaps, in all of Spain.

The final touch to two days of epic feats came from another battle-hardened veteran: Death In Vegas . The British artist has been around for three decades, and you’d never know it. He’s as hypnotic as ever, even more so with his live show tinged with darkness and red tones. Another colour to add to the Deleste Festival ‘s rainbow.

And yet another compelling proof that Deleste Festival is, we insist, #mesthanafestival. A festival that, let’s remember, wouldn’t be possible without the support of Cervezas Alhambra , specialists in creating spaces that invite you to stop, observe, and delight in leisurely pursuits, capable of feeling the imperceptible and savouring the originality of every moment. A philosophy that fits perfectly with the festival’s essence and its commitment to an authentic musical experience.

Nor would it be possible without the invaluable collaboration of Valencia City Council, the Equality Department of the Valencia Provincial Council, Valencia Tourism, Visit Valencia, the Generalitat Valenciana, the Valencian Institute of Culture, Las Naves, EMT, CALCSICOVA , and the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia. But above all, without all of you: bands, DJs, and, of course, the audience, who, spring after spring, edition after edition, make Deleste Festival a truly unique experience.

See you all again in 2026! 7,000 THANKS!

Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team