Tenerife Music Festival Opening Cancelled Due to Papal Visit Security Restrictions
The opening day of the Tenerife Music Festival was cancelled due to security restrictions surrounding a papal visit, leaving headliner Nathy Peluso to spend the day exploring the island instead.
The opening day of the Tenerife Music Festival, originally set for June 12, was cancelled after the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Port Authority revoked permits for the event. The decision followed strict security and mobility restrictions imposed by the visit of Pope Leo XIV to the island, which made it impossible to proceed with the technical setup at the Dársena de Los Llanos.
The cancellation affected several artists, including Rels B and El Arrebato. However, headliner Nathy Peluso made headlines for a different reason: she decided to stay on the island despite her performance being called off. The Argentine singer shared photos on social media from La Tejita beach in Granadilla de Abona, a popular spot near the Montaña Roja nature reserve known for its striking volcanic landscape.
Peluso has a strong following in the Canary Islands, having previously performed at the 2018 Phe Festival and the 2022 Ritmos del Mundo event. The cancellation of her latest show highlights the challenges of hosting large-scale cultural events in port areas, where high-level security requirements for visiting dignitaries can quickly disrupt schedules. Ultimately, the festival’s opening day was replaced by a quiet tourist snapshot, serving as a reminder of how easily institutional logistics can derail the cultural calendar.