“We regret the consequences, but we must not ignore and we are always obliged to ensure the safety of people.” It is the official version of the San Miguel Town Hall. Consistory sources add that “we would have liked an event of this impact to be held in the municipality.” In fact, they explain, “Until the last moment, the documentation presented a day before by the organization was valued».
They insist from the southern corporation that these accreditations did not comply with the provisions of the Law of Activities and Public Shows of the Canary Islands and, in addition, did not include the mandatory authorization of the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA). The latter is a fundamental requirement, given the proximity of the enclosure to Tenerife Sur Airport.
The municipal perspective visualizes that the 20,000 people expected in the perreo paradise festival – as fans call it – in Amarilla Golf almost equal the number of inhabitants of San Miguel, 21,872 as of January 1, 2021. The sources clarify that “in this scenario Numerous festivals have been organized before. The one with Bud Bunny, twenty from the Green World, many Canarias Baila or even the Arona Summer Festival one year. There were never any problems.” But they appreciate “the dimensions of this event were excessive”. The capacity established in the cases listed was an average of 5,000 and 6,000 people up to a maximum of 12,000.
The company.
The organization highlights in its argument “the animosity” of the city council towards the festival. He bases it on the fact that “he has allowed on several occasions to carry out massive acts without the corresponding license.” Therefore, they add, “we see clearly that they have acted in bad faith.”
In addition, the promoters point out that tThree days before (72 hours), “surprisingly, without prior notice or time to correct possible deficiencies, they closed the file.” RBF assures that the organization itself detected “irregularities in the processing by the city council and the Local Police”, for which they tried to “start a new one urgently so that in 24 hours we could obtain the license.”
The promoting company expresses its “absolute conviction” that the situation was going to be resolved and there would be a festival. They are surprised by the situation created and delve into the idea: «We have carried out more than twenty editions of RBF throughout the national territory, with public success and in the relationship with the administrations». They value at around 20 million euros the contribution to the economy of the municipality and its surroundings wherever it has been held. They state that “we never accept violations of current legislation in terms of strict and rigorous compliance with safety standards.” RBF reserves the right to take action, both civil and criminal, “for damages caused to the organization of the festival and to third parties.”
Antecedent.
A few days ago, on July 14, the Madrid Puro Reggaeton Festival was suspended 24 hours after its start. The license that authorized the concerts at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium was withdrawn by the Community considering that the security and documentation requirements were not met, and it was delivered after the deadline. Up to 40,000 tickets had been sold to see Daddy Yankee, Omar Montes and Bad Gyal, among others. In addition, the stages were already set up.
The refund, a clamor.
“In the next few days, all attendees will receive an email with the instructions to request the full refund of the tickets and the recharges on the cashless wristbands – an intelligent resource to avoid the use of cash. It is the statement on social networks of RBF, the organizing company of the Reguetón festival planned in San Miguel. There is an outcry in this scenario against suspension. The City Council is blamed but the return of the money from the tickets is also demanded. Especially considering that many people moved to the south of Tenerife from other islands such as Gran Canaria or even from the Peninsula.
From anger to reflection.
It is enough to reproduce some phrases and comments on social networks to understand the effect of the suspension. From the frustration of those who complain with “I find it detestable and unfortunate” to those who use irony: “Thanks to San Miguel for such poor management and for destroying the illusions of many young people». Others defend the measure by appealing to the guarantee of security and there are those who assure that the mayor (Arturo González) “does not like reggaeton.” There are questions of the tenor “Is Tenerife prepared for events of these characteristics?” and even warnings: “Then don’t complain if nobody wants to organize anything on the Island.”
