Sonora Competition Declares Joint Winners After Unprecedented Final Tie
The Sonora competition concluded in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by awarding joint top prizes to Los Blody and Good Franco, underscoring the event's role in launching emerging Canary Islands artists into the professional music circuit.
The latest Sonora competition has left a unique mark on the archipelago’s music scene after a technical tie forced organizers to double up on the top awards. During the final at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, judges decided against a tie-breaker, choosing instead to recognize two groups as joint winners.
The jury awarded the Gold Sonora to both Tenerife’s Los Blody and Lanzarote’s Good Franco. A similar approach was taken for the Silver Sonora, which was shared by Belice and Usted, while the Bronze Sonora went to Lula Mora. By splitting the prizes rather than forcing a new vote, the organizers highlighted just how evenly matched the finalists were.
Beyond the cash prizes—6,000 euros for gold, 3,000 for silver, and 1,500 for bronze—the competition’s real value lies in the professional opportunities it creates. The "Sonora Passports" help emerging artists break into the festival circuit. Good Franco, for instance, earned a professional EP recording with the agency Taste The Floor, along with spots at the Phe Festival and Sonidos Líquidos. Los Blody secured a performance at the Canarias Tiene el Flow Festival in Madrid, plus upcoming shows in La Graciosa and La Palma.
The competition also provided a vital platform for the other ten finalists, including Casablanca III, Xerach, Bífidos, Eric Böelle, and Pokzipol Poops. Several of these acts have already secured bookings: Lula Mora will perform at Womex in Gran Canaria, Xerach will join the Boreal Festival, Casablanca III will appear at Herofest, and Bífidos will embark on a mainland tour with Salán Producciones.
By focusing on integrating artists into the national and international music markets, the Sonora Festival has cemented its role as a key pillar of the Canary Islands' music industry. The event will wrap up with performances by the gold winners on October 16, 17, and 18 at the Plaza de Santa Ana, highlighting the festival's commitment to keeping bands on stage long after the competition ends.