Rock in Rio Madrid festival to return in 2012: organisers

The Rock in Rio Madrid music festival, one of the world's biggest, will return for a third edition in 2012, the event's Brazilian founder Roberto Medina said Sunday.

"People have gotten used to the Rock in Rio festival so we are going to continue in 2012," he told a news conference at the site of the festival at Arganda del Rey located some 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of Madrid.

Organisers expect the total audience for this year's Rock in Rio Madrid which got underway on Friday to reach 320,000 people, up from 290,000 when it was first staged in Madrid in 2008 despite an economic downturn which has hit Spain hard.

General admission tickets cost 69 euros (82.50 dollars) while a VIP entry which provides access to an air conditioned tent with a good view of the main stage as well as catering service goes for 275 euros.

Colombian pop star Shakira, US rockers Bon Jovi and teen singing sensation Myley Cyrus are among the acts taking part in this year's Rock in Rio Madrid which ends on June 14 when veteran heavy metal band Metallica will headline.

The event is staged at a specially built grounds dubbed "Rock City" that include carnival rides, restaurants and shops an outdoor dance floor and two stages spread out over 200,000 square metres (240,000 square yards).

Rock in Rio was first held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in January 1985. Subsequent editions of the music festival staged in Lisbon and Madrid have been arranged by Medina. This is the second Rock in Rio Madrid.

The event is scheduled to return to Brazil in 2011 and Medina is in talks to hold a version of the event in Poland as well as in Britain.