As the home of two of Europe’s biggest festivals in Primavera Sound and Sónar festival, Barcelona’s alternative music scene is well recognized by the international community.
Thousands of people from around the world flock to Spain’s second biggest city to experience some of the years best lineups with some of the best weather enticing those looking for a summer getaway.
Even if you’re in Barcelona when these festivals aren’t held the city’s thriving music scene has an abundance of gigs held each night of the week from Spanish and Catalan speaking bands. While some English singing bands can be found, don’t be surprised if you spend a whole night without understanding what the local acts are singing about.
Not that the language barrier should discourage tourists from experiencing the local music scene. While both Primavera and Sónar attract international travellers by bringing the world’s biggest bands to town, Barcelona’s healthy and diverse music culture ensures that music lovers have plenty to look forward to, with or without a ticket to those festivals.
In fact, Barcelona’s greatest musical asset is that whether or not you actively search for its music culture, street performers guarantee that your submersion into Spanish and Catalan music is both immediate and enjoyable.
Head down the streets of Barri Gotic, Parc Guell or by the sea in Port Vell and you might just end up spending most of your night outside of a music venue.
However those who yearn for rock or electronic music, should make their way to the areas of Las Ramblas and Plaza Reial for the some of city’s many music venues. While DJs aren’t hard to find, Barcelona’s love of rock music isn’t just displayed through its many bars but also The Barcelona Rock Museum Foundation.
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The museum has permanent collections with entire rooms dedicated to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, while Spanish rock and music eras from the 60s to the 2000s are all represented.
It’s no coincidence that Barcelona attracts bands from all around the world. The city prides itself on its alternative music culture.
In 2010 Carles Conesa, the in-house booker for one of the area’s most popular venues, Sala Apolo, told Drowned In Sound that Barcelona was going through a “golden era”.
“Catalan and Spanish is being used with a refreshing naturalness and there’s a braveness and audacity in the music that’s being embraced by both the listeners and the media. I guess it’s the result of a generation that has grown up with less prejudices and that has also taken advantage of the new and cheaper technological tools and the internet/blogging facilities,” he said.
In the years since Conesa was involved in that interview, the music scene in Barcelona has only grown.
Festivals or not, the music of Spain entwining with sounds from around the world is best experienced in the country’s second largest city.
Barcelona Festivals/Conferences
Primavera Sound: Not just one of Spain’s biggest festivals but Europe as well, this event has grown considerably since 2001. Held at the Forum building in the city, over 100,000 punters gather across 7-8 stages (including one indoors). Past headliners have included names such as Portishead, Sonic Youth, The White Stripes, Neil Young, Pet Shop Boys, The Cure and The Smashing Pumpkins amongst hundreds of others. Held over five days in late May, the 2013 event features the likes of Blur, Phoenix, Grizzly Bear, The Postal Service and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds amongst many more. Check out our festival guide here.
http://www.primaverasound.com/
Sónar Festival: Labeling itself as a festival of ‘advanced music and multimedia art’ this annual three-day event is usually held in the third week of June. 80,000 punters attend each year with electronic acts generally topping the bill. Kraftwerk, Pet Shop Boys, Skrillex, Two Door Cinema Club and Nicholas Jaar all feature on the 2013 lineup. Sónar also holds events in Reykjavik, Tokyo and Osaka, however the Barcelona event, which started in 1994, is by far the biggest.
http://sonar.es/es/2013/
Benicàssim: Taking place in the town of the festivals namesake, the event may not be located in Barcelona but it’s notoriety, as one of Europe’s best camping festivals should see tourists eyeing off the festival when planning their trip to the city. First held in 1995, the festival is held in the second week of July each year with four days of music and eight days of camping. Located close to the beach, festivalgoers take advantage of Spain’s summer weather by heading down to the ocean before the bands play between 5pm-8am every night. Over 50,000 people attend each year with the 2013 bill headlined by Queens of The Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys, Primal Scream and The Killers.
http://fiberfib.com/index.php/en/
Barcelona Record Stores
Revolver Records, 11 Carrer De Tallers, http://www.revolverrecords.es
Opened in 1991 this two storey record store is home to one of the city’s biggest and most diverse collections. While the first floor should have rock lovers sorted with an array of 60s, psychedlia and punk on display, the second floor specializes in funk, soul and blues vinyl. Second hand and new CDs as well shirts are for sale here. While some memorable in store performances are held from time to time, with Wilco’s set in 2012 being one of the many highlights.
Daily Records, Carrer de les Sitges, 9 08001, http://www.dailyrecords.es
Specializing in punk rock, hardcore and Jamaican, soul and vintage rock music, Daily Records has a rather eclectic mix of styles. While the floor space is small, their collection of quality music will have underground lovers raving. Daily Records stocks CDs, DVDs and vinyl, while select gig tickets can be purchased here as well. Fans of each variation of rock are recommended to visit this Barcelona record store before anywhere else.
Wah Wah Records, C/ Riera Baixa 14 Raval, http://www.wah-wahsupersonic.com
Over 10 years old this establishment features highly specialized selections of jazz, blues, soul, funk, psych, prog, garage and rock just to name a few. Wah Wah’s promise of being home to all “styles bizarre” is certainly lived up to. CD, vinyl and books fill the shelves, with the store open from Monday to Saturday. Since 1998 Wah Wah has also doubled as a record label by reissuing anything that they deem to be ‘cool’.
Barcelona Music Venues
Sidecar Factory Club, Pl. Reial, 7
Ciutat Vella, http://www.sidecarfactoryclub.com/
Underground, yet not at all dingy, this music venue has supported the indie music scene for 25 years now. Sidecar’s interior is far more modern than what you would expect of a bastion of alternative music. With a different gig held each night you can catch indie and electro bands in an intimate setting. It may not look like your usual indie music venue but the local bands on show will quickly change all that.
Jamboree, Pl. Reial, 17
Ciutat Vella, http://www.masimas.com/jamboree
Jazz, Latin and blues gigs take place in this cave like area which bricks stylize. While only Spanish singing acts perform here, the rhythm and crowds will have you dancing whether or not you speak the native language. While Jamboree is popular every night, Monday’s ‘WTF Jazz Jam’ session attracts a huge young crowd. Great local bands along with a lively atmosphere ensure that punters are guaranteed to be entertained.
Sala BeCool, Pl. Joan Llongueras, 5
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, http://www.salabecool.com
Taking its cues from Berlin’s minimalist electro scene, this small uptown concert hall has built its reputation by booking quality electronic acts that sometimes may even come with a spectacular visual accompaniment. Local and international acts play here, while the Red Room upstairs features indie pop and rock DJs.
Barcelona Acts You Should Check Out
The Pinker Tones: Soundcloud
As one of Barcelona’s most successful alternative bands, this pop act has achieved international success with six different albums. Singing in German, English, Spanish and French the group’s music encompasses elements of funk, soul, bossa and psychedelia. The Pinker Tones have played more than 300 shows in 40 different countries since 2006.
Maria Rodes: Soundloud
Armed with a haunting voice this singer-songwriter plays delicate folk music. With two albums under her belt, the songstress’ sophomore release, Dream Triangular, was self produced and released last year to critical acclaim.
