The origins:

The first Rock Against Cancer festival took place in year 2015.  In 2009, the Wyatt brothers made a donation to AECC when they hold the 20th anniversary of Monroe’s Rock Café at Eras de la Sal.  Years after, Neil welcomed Janet on board in order to organize a music festival specifically for the cause against cancer.  At the very beginning, we were only three people carrying out all: Kjetil Hamre (RIP), Ketil Larsen, Neil Wyatt and Janet Figueroa.

 

Fortunately we had the support of great volunteers and waiters who were completely committed and also asked for holidays to help us during the event.  The first two editions (2015 and 2017) took place in Apolo Street, in front of Monroe’s Music Pub.  In the first edition we counted with the guitar player Santiago Campillo (formerly guitar player in the well known band called M-CLAN), and also Fito Cabrales (Fito & Fitipaldis) donated a Fender acoustic guitar with his autograph that was put on auction. The response was massive and the crowd enjoyed a lot all the activities and food trucks in the street. Then, I told Neil like Chief Brody in Jaws: “We are gonna need a bigger boat!”, so then we presented a proposal to the Town Hall to hold the third edition in Eras de la Sal and jointly held the next two editions in Eras de la Sal (2018 and 2019).  

 

Due to the pandemic we were obliged to cancel the 5th edition in 2020.  Safety is first, so we had the initiative to organize small gigs in several venues on the Costa Blanca with the great support and commitment of Robert Grumheden from VIKING ASSISTANCE and Lars Andersen from DVBLAB. This way we also supported our local businesses and artists with safe culture, celebrating smaller events in collaboration with local bars/restaurants complying with the regulations demanded by the sanitary authorities during that time. 

 

At last, we hold the fifth edition in year 2022 for the first time at Parque Antonio Soria in Torrevieja. It was the event with the largest facilities and most square metres dedicated to the festival. For the first time, with a food truck area with the highest quality and variety to date.  We also completed the event with a craft market area from the province and the surrounding area.  

 

This year's line-up again features two of Denmark's top tribute bands: Almost AC/DC and Bryan Adams Tribute Band - DK, who were a huge success at the last edition. In addition to our local and neighbouring bands, we welcome for the first time THE BOSS - Tribute to Springsteen, who will be rocking us with their full "Street Band".  The big novelty is the SAD European Metallica Tribute from Italy, who will come to Spain for the first time to our festival.  Their tour in various countries such as Italy, Germany and France has been a great success.  This year we also welcome Linkoln Park from Madrid, who will start their Meteora 2023-2024 tour with us in Torrevieja.  As always, we want to offer the best show in support of our Torrevieja NGOs: AFECÁNCER and ALICANTE PARA LA LUCHA CONTRA EL CÁNCER - SEDE DE TORREVIEJA.  We are deeply grateful for your support through music. Long live rock, and if it is for a good cause, all the better!