It is one of the most dramatic stories in FIB Benicassim history. In 2009, a sudden and violent storm swept through the festival site with hurricane-force winds, causing significant structural damage and sending a scaffolding pole crashing directly into the Kings of Leon tour bus.
The incident happened as the American rock band were preparing for their headline set. The scaffolding pole - torn loose by the extraordinary wind speed - penetrated the side of the tour bus. Miraculously, no members of the band or crew were seriously injured, but the incident understandably left everyone shaken.
The show was cancelled as festival organisers assessed the damage and ensured the safety of the site. Thousands of festival-goers had already gathered near the main stage when the storm hit, and the speed with which conditions deteriorated caught many by surprise.
The incident served as a reminder of the power of Mediterranean summer storms, which can develop rapidly and with considerable intensity. FIB has since invested in more robust weather monitoring and evacuation procedures, and the festival now has a comprehensive adverse weather protocol in place.
