Section 4 · Spain & Américas
Spain is not Latin America, and both know it
The business of Spanish-language music — labels, rights, touring economics, and the major festivals.
A festival bill is where a chart position turns into a fee.Photo: Bence Szemerey / Pexels
SGAE Has Been Fighting Over Its Own Rules for a Decade
The Sociedad General de Autores y Editores (SGAE) is Spain's primary collecting society — it has also been the subject of governance disputes and a 2021 suspension by the Ministry of Culture, lifted after internal reform.
Spain & Américas
Three Latin Divisions and How They Divide the Catalogue
Sony Music Latin, Universal Music Latino and Warner Latina operate semi-independently, each with its own roster profile and regional strengths.
Spain & Américas
Barcelona Has Two Festivals and They Are Not the Same Festival
Primavera Sound and Sónar both run in Barcelona and both book Latin acts, but their curatorial logics differ sharply — Primavera is a rock-rooted festival that expanded; Sónar is an electronic and experimental event.
Spain & Américas
Vive Latino Is Forty Years of Mexican Festival History
Vive Latino has run in Mexico City since 1998 — its Foro Sol editions are among the largest rock-en-español gatherings in the Americas.
Spain & Américas
What It Costs to Fill a Stadium in Spanish
Bad Bunny's World's Hottest Tour (2022) grossed over $400M according to Pollstar — the highest-grossing tour of that year.
Spain & Américas