Barcelona’s Forum will host one fewer late-night music festival than planned next year. Autopark, the company that owns the Apolo venue, has withdrawn from organising the music cycle it was awarded. Unless there’s an unexpected last-minute change, the number of festivals permitted to run concerts beyond 11pm will drop from five to four.
The decision means the Forum site will host four festivals with extended hours rather than the five initially planned by Barcelona City Council. Autopark’s withdrawal leaves one of the planned events without a promoter. However, the council had projected authorising five annual concert festivals with late-night hours for next year, but with this withdrawal the number reduces to four for now.
Barcelona’s Forum has become a key venue for large-scale music events in recent years. The waterfront location allows for big crowds whilst minimising noise complaints from residential areas. Nevertheless, the loss of one festival could impact the site’s programming and the city’s music scene more broadly.
The Apolo is one of Barcelona’s most iconic music venues, operating since 1943. It’s known for hosting everything from indie rock to electronic music nights. Autopark’s decision to pull out of the Forum festival project suggests the company wants to focus on its existing Paral·lel venue rather than expanding into outdoor festival promotion.
Whether another promoter will step in to fill the gap remains to be seen. The council hasn’t announced plans to seek a replacement organiser for the fifth festival slot. For music fans who were looking forward to an extra festival option at the Forum, it’s disappointing news.
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