In Spain, there is a city where reggaeton is banned once a year. Artists such as Karol G, Maluma, and J Balvin cannot be played in La Linea de la Concepcion, a municipality in the south of the province of Cadiz, during a special religious event.
The public authorities of this Andalusian autonomous community implements this measure annually on Domingo Rociero, or Rociero Sunday. This is a religious festival celebrated every year on the first Sunday of the region’s famous Andalusian Fair, the day after its Grand Parade and the start of activities at the city’s fairground. This year, the event took place on June 8.
Spanish city bans reggaeton for religious celebration
The ban on playing reggaeton and other musical genres began in 2019. The mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion decided to prohibit reggaeton in public spaces during the celebration to preserve its solemnity and tradition. Rock, pop, punk, folk, blues, techno, and house music are also not allowed to be played on Rociero Sunday.
The parish of the Immaculate Conception plays a prominent role during the religious festival and holds the famous Rociera Mass. Along with the public and key religious figures, this is normally attended by the city’s mayor. Once the mass is over, people head to the center of La Linea to eat, drink, and celebrate. Bars and restaurants set up additional tables outside to cater for the vast number of people and festival booths line the streets as part of the fair. At the fairground, different music and dance groups entertain attendees, though only specific genres – such as Rociera, flamenco, and similar sounds – are permitted.
The origin of Domingo Rociero
Domingo Rociero is an Andalusian festival that combines religious and festive elements. It is typically celebrated in local fairs across the region. It originated in the 1960s and 1970s when Sunday masses began to incorporate Rociero, a musical style characterized by flamenco songs and choirs, into their devotion to the Virgin of El Rocio. The celebration soon grew, spilling out onto the streets, where locals would enjoy the music and socialize as horse riders would parade around the neighborhood.
Today, Domingo Rociero is an important part of Andalusian culture and tradition, where devotion to the Virgin of El Rocio intertwines with the music, dance, and gastronomy typical of the region. The streets fill with people dressed in traditional costumes, the sound of Sevillanas fills the air, and a lively social scene extends until night. With the contemporary beats of reggaeton put aside, Domingo Rociero is a vibrant and authentic expression of Andalusian folklore.