The longest-running emerging band contest in the Canary Islands
Festival Sonora is the longest-running contest for emerging bands and artists in the Canary Islands. Born from Juan Salán's vision and driven by Juan Salán and his partner Santiago Gutiérrez through Salán Producciones, the festival opens its doors every year to musicians of every genre: rock, pop, urban, blues, folk, jazz and world music. There are no style barriers; there is one criterion: talent and live performance.
The prize is more than a trophy. Winners receive up to 6,000 euros in cash and the coveted Sonora Passport, opening doors to national and international festivals with which Festival Sonora has collaboration agreements. Year after year, the Sala Jerónimo Saavedra stage at Auditorio Alfredo Kraus has served as a springboard for artists who are now part of the Spanish music scene.
The final held on 17 and 18 April 2026 at Sala Jerónimo Saavedra, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus produced a historic result: the jury declared two overall winners, recognising the exceptional level of the edition. Diario de Avisos
Prize: 6,000 € · Sonora Passport: Canarias Tiene el Flow (Madrid), Sonidos Líquidos La Graciosa, Festivalito (La Palma)
Prize: 6,000 € · Sonora Passport: Sonidos Líquidos (Lanzarote), Phe Festival (Puerto de la Cruz) + EP funding with Taste The Floor
Prize: 3.000 €
Prize: 3.000 €
Prize: 1,500 € · Passport: WOMEX Gran Canaria
The 2026 edition broke the participation record with 195 entries. The process is divided into two major phases: elimination rounds lead into the spring finals, and the best acts perform at the major October festival before the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus audience.
17 and 18 April 2026 · Sala Jerónimo Saavedra, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus. The 10 finalists perform live before the jury and the audience.
16, 17 and 18 October 2026 · Auditorio Alfredo Kraus. The main festival, with winners and guest artists, closes the edition with three nights of live music.
The 10 finalists from the 2026 edition and moments from the contest.
Los Blody and Good Franco, overall winners of Sonora 2026
Diario de Avisos · March 2026Sonora 2026 announces the 10 musical projects in its grand final
Diario de Avisos · January 2026Sonora 2026 expands its prizes and festival performance passports
Diario de Avisos · February 2026The Sonora music contest extends its passports to La Palma and La Gomera
Official websitefestivalsonora.com — Full information, contest rules and registration