Mando Diao leaves the Gigante Festival without its headliner, although Alcalá Norte saves the day in extremis.

The Gigante Festival, held from August 28th to 30th in Guadalajara, is experiencing a heart-stopping run-up: its headliner, Mando Diao, dropped out just a week before the event began, citing "serious personal reasons." A nearly insurmountable gap that the organizers have managed to fill thanks to Alcalá Norte , a national and very popular project that saves, in extremis, one of the worst nightmares that can befall an event of this nature.

Thus, if all goes according to plan, Madrid's La Vida Cañón will play on the first day, Thursday the 28th, alongside other names such as Barry B, Despistaos, and Eva Rijlen, who is playing at home to present her album. The second day starts earlier, starting at midday, with concerts in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in the capital of Alcarria. The Sweet River Band, Cápsula, and DJ Panalero will liven up the vermouth from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., before moving on to the new facilities located on the outskirts of the city, next to the Ferial Plaza shopping center. There, Exonvaldes, Shego, Anaut, Travis Birds, Carolina Durante, and La Habitación Roja will take turns on the three stages of the new location.

The final day will also feature concerts downtown at noon, with Alondra Bentley, Casino Montreal, and Gloria DJ. Starting at 6 p.m. at the festival grounds, it's Terror Milk, Alice Wonder, Crystal Fighters, and La La Love You, with Superframe closing, as usual, on the main stage.

Swedish band Mando Diao is one of the most established bands on the global indie rock scene. Since their formation in the late 1990s, the lyrics and chords of songs like "Dance With Somebody" and "Primal Call" have become generational anthems. However, in 2015, co-founder Gustaf Norén announced his departure, a decision officially announced as a result of "different visions" within the group. This split marked a turning point for the band: although it was met with some internal shock, it also paved the way for a creative reconfiguration. As part of this new phase, Jens Siverstedt joined as guitarist and vocalist.

This unexpected cancellation of Mando Diao's entire 2025 tour, including their performance at the Gigante Festival , was attributed to serious personal reasons, with no further details or information provided. "We understand the disappointment this may cause and sincerely apologize to everyone affected," the group said in the statement, which also read: "We look forward to returning to the stage and sharing music with you again in the future."