The Rocketmen Festival, co-organized with the Coimbra City Council, is set to take place from July 31 to August 2. This third edition will be marked by several changes, as announced by the organization in a statement sent today.
After two years of paid admissions, the festival will now offer free entry (those who previously purchased tickets can receive refunds starting June 23). The venue will change from Praça da Canção, a spacious area on the left bank of the Mondego River, to Jardim da Sereia, a central location in Coimbra where concerts for the City Festival are usually held.
In addition to the changes, Rocketmen Festival finalized its lineup today, announcing the participation of the British band The Boys, formed in the late 1970s, the English group Bad Nerves, and the Australian ensemble Dr. Sure’s Unusual Practice.
These newly announced names will join a lineup that includes Mão Morta, 999, Táxi, Arsenal Mikebe feat HHY, MAQUINA, and The Darts, among others.
Festival director Tito Santana, who has run the past two editions of Luna Fest with Victor Torpedo, stated that moving to Jardim da Sereia will significantly reduce production costs. He also believes the free entry will attract more people.
The festival is still awaiting confirmation of support from the Coimbra City Council, as Santana mentioned that everything is ready except for this “indecision” from the municipality.
These changes are intended to correct previous mistakes made during Luna Fest, Santana added, expressing that the festival should have started with the proposed setup.
“At Praça da Canção, it was very challenging. We do not have the financial and professional structure to compete with festivals like Paredes de Coura or Vilar de Mouros,” he noted.
Concerts will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 1:30 a.m. at Jardim da Sereia, where there will be a DJ stage at Praça da República.
The festival’s name change is linked to a dispute between Tito Santana, who directs Rocketmen, and musician Victor Torpedo, with whom he organized the two editions of Luna Fest. This dispute concerns trademark registration.
In statements to the press, Tito Santana said the trademark registration process ruled in his favor (Victor Torpedo intends to challenge the decision), but due to the conflict, he decided to proceed under a new name.
Santana admitted that the fallout with Torpedo has created issues, particularly concerning social media posts from the musician.
“He’s a well-known and beloved figure, which brought us some image problems due to posts made on Facebook,” Santana noted, adding he might pursue legal action against Torpedo for damaging the festival’s image.
Victor Torpedo, when contacted, said the split occurred after the second edition of Luna Fest in 2024, accusing Santana of proceeding with the festival differently and forming another association unilaterally.
“Since then, communication ceased,” Torpedo explained, suggesting that Santana could have bought his share in the company to continue without these issues.
Santana stated he proceeded with the festival under his terms in coordination with the lawyers of both founders.
“Victor did not object,” he added.
Apart from the trademark dispute, Victor Torpedo also intends to file a legal case against Tito Santana.
The musician sees “no possibility of reconciliation.”
Both individuals have been attempting to settle debts from previous Luna Fest editions to the best of their abilities, accusing each other of failing to meet commitments.
