16 groups will compete to reach the finals of the Pop Rock 2025 contest.

PalmPop Rock 2025 already has the 16 selected groups, who will compete in semi-finals that will take place on September 4, 5, 11 and 12 at the Es Gremi and La Movida venues, with their sights set on the final scheduled for the 27th of this same month at Les Voltes.

According to what was stated this Monday by the First Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Culture of the Palma City Council, Javier Bonet, in a press conference, this year 94 proposals from bands and artists were received and the following were finally chosen: Jenny Drama Queen, Born, Cairo, Licata, Nuria Foreman, Jon Sickers, Merak, Rick Sena, Tebals, Mon Joan Tiquat, naXisca and OR Bad.

Age diversity and emerging talent

Bonet emphasized that this year's edition featured "bands with established careers, but also very young groups that, in some cases, are led by teenagers as young as 13 or even by children as young as 10."

In this sense, he stressed that "music is a universal language that knows no age or boundaries." "Talent is born every day, especially among the new generations of these islands," he added.

Furthermore, Bonet highlighted the diversity and quality of the proposals received. "We are very impressed by the ambition with which all these bands have participated and the lack of prejudice about mixing genres, something that didn't happen 40 years ago," he emphasized.

He also emphasized "the number of women who have signed up, which makes it more inclusive." "It's good news for more and more women who are picking up their guitars and getting up there to play," she added.

The competition, "a well-established event in the city's cultural calendar," will be broadcast live on IB3 and will have a jury made up of music professionals such as singer-songwriter Maika Makovski, musician Miguel Gibert, journalist Anna de la Salud, composer Julio Molina, and performer Arantxa Andre.

The technical committee will evaluate the performances and select the five finalists who will compete in the gala on September 27, which will also feature a performance by La Granja as a guest group and Lyra's Hëll, winners of the last edition.

Awards

The top three finishers will receive contracts valued at €3,000, €2,000, and €1,000 to be part of the 2026 municipal program. In addition, the top seven selected artists will have the opportunity to perform at festivals and music events such as Mallorca Live Festival, Mobofest, and SonsDeNit.

The councilor emphasized that Pop Rock is "a launching pad for local talent that, with more than 40 years of history, has witnessed and participated in the growth of the islands' music scene." He also expressed his gratitude to the sponsors, the concert venues, and the City Council's Culture team, and sent a message of support to the groups that were not selected.