Spanish Singer Beret Faces Tour Cancellations Following Sexual Assault Allegations

The Spanish music industry is seeing a wave of concert cancellations following news of the legal troubles facing singer Francisco Javier Álvarez Beret. The artist was arrested on Thursday, June 11, in connection with an alleged sexual assault in Seville last April. He has since been released on a provisional basis, but a judge has ordered him to surrender his passport for three months, issued a 500-meter restraining order, and prohibited him from contacting the complainant.

In response, several city councils have distanced themselves from the singer’s "Lo bello y lo roto" tour. Municipalities including Elche, Rubí, Armilla, and Monforte de Lemos have cancelled his scheduled performances. Officials in Armilla cited their commitment to women’s safety and a zero-tolerance policy toward gender-based violence, while representatives in Rubí and Monforte de Lemos stated they are pausing their contractual commitments until the judicial process clarifies the facts.

The rest of the singer’s summer schedule is now uncertain, with a dozen concerts between June and October currently in limbo. These include major events and festivals such as the Del Poble Fest, BigSound Festival, L’arena Music Experience, Starlite Festival, Tio Pepe Festival, Festival Ukalari, Conciertos de La Muralla, Recordafest, a performance in Don Benito, and the Gran Canaria Sum Festival.

This situation reflects a growing trend of public administrations taking a firm stance on reports of sexual violence. Because these events often rely on public funding or institutional support, local governments are prioritizing their public image and equality policies, choosing to exercise caution while balancing the presumption of innocence against the gravity of the criminal allegations.