While Peruvian music is marked by diversity, there are venues dedicated to showcasing the finest aspects of a single musical genre. For rock enthusiasts, that venue has always been known as I Live for Rock, an event that has consistently exceeded its own benchmarks since its inception in 2013.
Some of the most unforgettable performances featured bands like Hoobastank, Molotov, Simple Plan, The Offspring, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Evanescence, and Deftones, each taking the headline spot in various years. Their shows were captured in hundreds of videos shared on social media and etched in the collective memory of fans, making the announcement of the festival’s return incredibly thrilling.
LOOK: “I Live for Rock”: Ticket sale dates, prices, and everything you need to know
Vivo x el rock 2025 lineup
The Headliners
This year, the headliners will be Avenged Sevenfold, Marilyn Manson, and Anthrax, joined by bands such as Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, The Hives, Molotov, Capital Cities, and Smash Mouth, among others. The lineup will also feature national talent, highlighting artists like Miki González, La Liga del Sueño, Rafo Ráez, and several other groups.
“Avenged headlined Rock in Rio, Marilyn is making a return after a massive international tour, and Anthrax consistently maintains high musical quality. Our lineup reflects the essence of rock, as we put in significant curatorial effort to achieve this balance.” Jorge Nieto, director of Kandavu Productions, explains.
A Long Wait
After a six-year hiatus since its memorable 2019 edition, which featured Slipknot and marked the first performance of The Strokes in Lima, the return of “I Live for Rock” took eight months of preparation. This involved forming a specific unit for the festival within Kandavu, meeting with artist representatives, the musicians themselves, and fan groups to finalize the lineup.
“The pressure was immense, but we aim for this festival to become one of the most significant in the country.” Nieto explains, emphasizing that his team chose to preserve the festival’s original essence. “We listen to what the audience wants. They aren’t asking for salsa or reggaeton. Here, we play rock, and that will be honored.” he adds.
The seventh edition of the Vivo x el Rock festival, held at the National Stadium (Photo: Rolly Reyna/ El Comercio)
LOOK: “I Live for Rock” announces its return “very soon”
Peruvians for Export
Another highlight of this edition, set to take place in March next year, is that three Peruvian bands will grace the main stage: the iconic Miki González, Masacre with its original lineup, and the legendary band G3, all aiming to showcase national talent.
“We are now focusing on the experience that attendees will have. The quality of the artists is already an inherent part of the festival, but we discuss what the audience wants to experience. Producing an event of this scale carries risks, but I Live for Rock is always a significant endeavor.” Nieto elaborates.
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs is one of the bands returning in the next edition of the Vivo x el Rock music festival
The Date
In line with the emphasis on experience, this edition will be held at the Lima Cultural Club in Chorrillos, a venue that promises to meet the festival’s aspirations, with an expected capacity of 50,000 to 60,000 attendees. Additionally, there is potential for the inclusion of amusement rides and electronic wristbands in future editions.
What will remain unchanged is the unique date of the event, which—except for 2018—will continue to be held due to the festival’s significance and its gradual expansion throughout the country. “For us, this is more than just a festival; it’s a movement that promotes rock music and ensures that provinces gain representation. This is the peak of a movement created by the people and led by rock music,” he concludes.
Celebrating Rock Music: The Return of Vivo x el Rock Festival 2025
Although diversity characterizes Peruvian music, there are spaces destined to offer only the best of a single musical genre. For rock lovers, that space has always been called I live for Rock, an event that, since its creation in 2013, has surpassed its own standards year after year.
Among the most memorable performances were bands such as Hoobastank, Molotov, Simple Plan, The Offspring, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Evanescence, and Deftones, all of them occupying the headline slot in different editions. Their performances were immortalized in hundreds of videos on social networks and in the collective imagination of the public, making the announcement of the return of the great festival so exciting.
MIRA: “Vivo x el Rock”: When do tickets go on sale, prices and everything you need to know
Los Headliners
This time, the headliners will be Avenged Sevenfold, Marilyn Manson, and Anthrax, accompanied by bands such as Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, The Hives, Molotov, Capital Cities, Smash Mouth, among others. All this without leaving aside the national proposal, where figures such as Miki González, La Liga del Sueño, Rafo Ráez, and several other groups stand out.
“Avenged headlined Rock in Rio, Marilyn is back after a huge international tour, and Anthrax always maintains a high musical quality. The rest of our repertoire is linked to the spirit of rock, as there was a lot of curatorial work to achieve this balance,” Jorge Nieto, director of Kandavu Productions, tells us.
A Long Wait
After six years since its memorable 2019 edition, which reunited Slipknot and concluded with the first performance of The Strokes in Lima, the return of “Vivo x el Rock” took eight months of prior work. This included creating a specific unit for the festival within Kandavu, meetings with representatives of the artists, musicians themselves, and fan groups to define the lineup.
“The pressure was high, but we want this festival to be one of the most important in the country,” explains Nieto. “Here we listen to what the public wants. The public doesn’t ask for salsa, they don’t ask for reggaeton. Here we play rock, and that will be respected.”
MIRA: “Vivo x el rock” announces its return “very soon”
Peruvians for Export
Another attraction of this edition, which will take place in March of next year, is that three Peruvian bands will have the honor of performing on the main stage: the remembered Miki González, Masacre with its original members, and the legendary band G3, at a time that seeks to highlight national talent.
“Now we focus on the experience that attendees can have. The quality of the artists is already something inherent to the festival, but we talk about what the public wants to experience. It is a risk to produce this type of event due to its magnitude, but Vivo x el Rock is always a great bet,” explains Nieto.
The Appointment
In keeping with this idea of focusing on the experience, this edition will be held at the Lima Cultural Club in Chorrillos, seeking a space that meets the festival’s aspirations, with an estimated capacity of between 50,000 and 60,000 attendees. In addition, there is the possibility of including mechanical games and electronic bracelets in future editions.
What will not change is the unique date of the event, which – with the exception of 2018 – will remain present due to the magnitude of the festival, which will progressively expand throughout the country. “For us, this is more than a festival, it is something that will help us promote rock music and ensure that the provinces gain representation. This is the high point of a movement created by the people and led by rock music,” concludes Nieto.
Tips for Attendees
- Pace Yourself: With a lineup this big, ensure you hydrate and take breaks to enjoy the festival atmosphere.
- Plan Your Arrival: Aim to arrive early to avoid long lines and get the best spots for your favorite bands.
- Bring Essentials: Sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and portable chargers will enhance your experience.
- Stay Informed: Follow the festival’s social media channels for updates on set times and special announcements.
Historical Highlights of Vivo x el Rock
| Year | Headliners | Notable Performances |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Hoobastank, Simple Plan | First edition; raved about by fans |
| 2016 | Deftones, Evanescence | Memorable performances heavily shared online |
| 2019 | Slipknot, The Strokes | Last edition before the hiatus |
