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- On 3 June, the Galileo Galilei venue in Madrid hosted the final gala of Endesa Play, the emerging talent contest that combines music and basketball. The pop-indie duo La Última Copa took first prize, earning the opportunity to perform at the Jardín de las Delicias festival.
- La Azotea and Exuvia came in second and third place, respectively. Their prizes include performing at the final of the Liga Endesa Playoffs and a feature article in the music magazine Mondo Sonoro.
- The electricity company has announced a second edition of Endesa Play, following the resounding success of the contest. A total of 441 artists participated in its initial season, and more than 100,000 votes were received during the public voting phase to choose the three finalists.
- The final gala featured live performances by the pop-rock band Sidecars, mentors of this first edition of Endesa Play, along with other guest artists such as JavyPablo and DJ Pau Ornia.
The winner of the 1st edition of Endesa Play has been announced: La última copa triumphed in a gala hosted by Ana Desastre and Ángel Carmona, complete with live music performances by Sidecars, JavyPablo, DJ Pau Ornia, and the three finalist groups.
With their victory at Endesa Play—the talent contest organised by Endesa in collaboration with the Spanish basketball league ACB that combines the search for the best emerging Spanish music talents with a passion for basketball—La Última Copa has earned the chance to perform at the Jardín de las Delicias festival in Madrid next September. The band La Azotea won second place, and will therefore perform at the final Playoff of the 2024-25 Liga Endesa season. Closing the list of winners is Exuvia, who earned a feature in the music magazine Mondo Sonoro.
For La última copa, Endesa Play has meant ‘an incredible opportunity. Many thanks to Endesa for making it possible. They could have hired a well-known band with a higher profile, but instead, they are giving a chance to artists like us, who are fighting to make a name for ourselves.’
Along the same lines, for La Azotea, participating in the contest has meant the ‘break’ they were looking for. ‘We believe there are very few opportunities for emerging music. There are very few openings in the market, and the fact that they offer a platform to bands that may someday be filling stadiums is certainly something to value and appreciate.’
For their part, Exuvia highlighted the value of this ‘unique and very valuable experience’compared to what they are used to. ‘This contest seemed like a very interesting opportunity for us because of its prizes and because it offered us an infrastructure that could launch our career.’
The three bands performed live in front of a professional jury made up of representatives from Endesa, ACB, the Jardín de las Delicias festival, Mondo Sonoro magazine, and the manager of the band Sidecars, who were mentors of this contest and closed the gala in style with a spectacular mini live concert. Other guest artists, such as JavyPablo and DJ Pau Ornia, also contributed their music and energy to keep the audience engaged throughout the event.
Endesa Play will have a second edition
The success of this first edition of Endesa Play has convinced Ignacio Asensi, the sponsorship manager of the energy company, to announce that there will be a second edition in 2026. ‘Setting up a project like Endesa Play has been quite a challenge. We have a lot of experience in the basketball world, but we know that the music scene is very complicated.’ 441 artists took part this first year, and when the public were asked to vote to select the three finalists, more than 100,000 online votes were cast. That’s why we’re delighted to confirm that there will be a second edition, where we’ll continue to support emerging musical talent from across Spain.’
The contest kicked off in February with an open call for all up-and-coming musicians in the country. Out of the 441 submissions received, the jury selected 18 acts, each representing a city with a team playing in the Liga Endesa. Ultimately, the bands Exuvia (Casademont Zaragoza), La última copa (Río Breogán de Lugo), and La Azotea (BAXI Manresa) made it to the final thanks to the support of the fans, who cast more than 100,000 votes over the course of a month on the Endesa Basket Lover website.
The three finalists of Endesa Play
First prize: La última copa. The duo performed their song ‘No es tarde’ during a Río Breogán (Lugo) game. Their musical style blends indie and pop and is characterised by the fusion of male and female vocals that weave together in carefully crafted, emotive harmonies. With their fresh energy and evident chemistry, their melodies earned them the support of both the audience and the jury.
Second prize: La Azotea took to the stage with their song ‘Distinto’ in front of the crowd at the Nou Congost arena in Manresa. This five-member band delivers a vibrant blend of pop-rock, bursting with energy and a hunger to take on the world—a formula that won over both the public and the Endesa Play jury.
Third prize: Exuvia, a participant representing Zaragoza. This band stands out for its explosive energy and a bold musical style that blends stoner, punk, and rock. Their Spanish lyrics, rich in emotion and authenticity, tell stories that seek a deep, direct connection with the audience. Such is the case with ‘Un día ahí dentro’, the track that earned them their place in the grand finale.
About Endesa
Endesa is the leading electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. It is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an integrated business model spanning electricity generation, distribution, and supply. Furthermore, the company offers value-added services focused on the electrification of energy use for households, businesses, and public administrations. Endesa is committed to the United Nations’ SDGs and corporate social responsibility. In the latter area, it also operates through the Endesa Foundation. Our team comprises around 9,000 employees. Endesa is part of Enel, a multinational electricity company and an integrated leading player in global energy and renewables markets [1].
[1] Enel's leadership in the various categories is defined by comparison with the financial data of its counterparts in the year 2024. Reference perimeter: publicly traded companies without majority state ownership.