The 20th edition of the LOS40 Music Awards took place for the first time at Valencia's Roig Arena, with Aitana and Ed Sheeran as top winners. Rosalía opened the show with the first live performance of 'Reliquia' from her album Lux. Many artists dedicated their awards to the DANA flood victims.
Valencia's Roig Arena, recently inaugurated with a 400 million euro investment, hosted the LOS40 Music Awards for the first time, drawing 18,000 spectators whose tickets sold out in 90 minutes. The ceremony, organized by the PRISA group's radio station, was hosted by Tony Aguilar, Cristina Boscá, and Dani Moreno El Gallo, and broadcast live on multiple platforms.
Rosalía opened the night with a four-minute performance of 'Reliquia', the second track from her fourth album Lux, released that same day. Accompanied by an orchestra, the Catalan singer performed the piece under a beam of light, surrounded by illuminated crosses, featuring electronic and flamenco elements like handclaps. At the end, hundreds of paper sheets simulating sheet music fell from the ceiling. On the red carpet, dressed in black, Rosalía caused a stir and expressed surprise at the interest in her album. She received the Global Icon award, dedicating it to the DANA victims: “We keep thinking about you”.
Ed Sheeran won three awards: best international artist, best album for Play, and Global Icon. Aitana took home two: best Spanish artist and best tour for Metamorfosis Season, which ended in July. “I want to dedicate this award to Valencia, to all those affected by the DANA,” she said. A highlight was her surprise duet with Sheeran on 'Perfect', where Aitana showed confidence despite admitting nerves.
Other winners included Dani Martín (best song 'El último día de nuestras vidas' and best live artist), who stated: “I'm living a success that's not in fashion. When you're almost 50, this award means more than the early ones”. Dani Fernández won best album for La jauría and best collaboration for ¿Y si lo hacemos? with Valeria Castro, dedicating it to Valencia: “Music is a refuge”. In the Global Latina category, Emilia secured two awards for 'Blackout', Feid won best tour for Fastest Tour, and Bad Bunny took best urban album for Debí tirar más fotos, though absent.
Performances featured Morat, Rels B, Feid, Pablo Alborán, and others. The gala, a symbol of resilience after last year's DANA floods, united generations in celebrating Spanish-language music since its start in 2006.
