Several thousand people rallied near the city's Alcala gate to listen to performances by some 20 Spanish artists including Ana Belen and Joaquim Sabina.

In between sets, a message from Spain's top anti-terrorist judge Baltasar Garzon was to be read out by his daughter and Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal was to read out an anti-war manifesto.

The concert is one of a string of anti-war efforts -- including legal action against the government -- organised in Spain, where the public overwhelmingly opposes Madrid's staunch support for the war.

Sunday's concert was organised by the "Culture Against the War" group, the Socialist party's Social Forum, a coalition of far-left parties and the country's two main unions.

It took place at a venue smaller than originally planned, after the city authorities requested a last-minute change of location.

SPACE.WIRE