Vigo bans beach concerts, drawing criticism from nationalist party

The municipal government of Vigo, led by Mayor Abel Caballero, ordered a prohibition on live music performances in the open‑air terraces of beach chiringuitos for the summer season. The decision, justified by the council on 10 June on grounds of irregularities in permits and noise complaints from beach users and local hospitality businesses, limits the licences to food and drink sales only.

The Bloque Nacionalista Galego (BNG) and its councilor Ana Martínez labelled the measure a “new blow” ("un novo golpe") to Vigo’s musicians, noting that many local bands had already booked summer gigs that were now cancelled, causing significant loss of income. The BNG questioned why the issue had not been addressed in previous years and accused the municipal, regional and provincial authorities of favouring external artists over Galician talent. Musicians and cultural groups have called for dialogue to find a balance between noise concerns and the city’s summer cultural programme.