Barcelona for the Music Lovers
Barcelona offers so much to the visitor: beautiful views, incredible architecture, gorgeous beaches, delicious food, and a rich local music scene that soothes your senses or keeps you dancing all night. Rooftop clubs, intimate jazz bars, alt music venues, and thriving festivals all celebrate a rich local musical tradition.
Music connects people with their emotions and their passions, so there is no better way to truly connect with the locals and have unique, unforgettable experiences than by sharing your love of music in Barcelona. Here are some of the best ways to get your groove:
Attend a festival.
Barcelona has festivals of all sorts all summer long, from neighborhood block parties to outdoor film screenings, and a music festival nearly every weekend. Here are some of the biggest:
Primavera Sound (May). Primavera Sound kicks off the summer music season with a bang in Barcelona. This festival brings global acts to Barcelona, but also includes and recognizes the community with local acts and free concerts at various venues throughout the city. This year’s headliners include Arctic Monkeys, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Lorde, and A$AP Rocky.
Sónar (June). Sónar is a three-day International Festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia Art. Combining electronic music, contemporary art, and media technologies, it’s three days and nights of music, art, conferences, exhibitions, DJs, and dancing. In 2017, Sónar featured Bjork, Nicolas Jaar, Seth Troxler & Tiga, Nina Kravitz, and De La Soul.
Música als Parcs (June-Aug). Summer months in the parks of Barcelona are graced with this free, al fresco concert series. From June – August, hear live jazz music in the Ciutadella Park on Wednesday and Friday nights, and live classical music in various locations on Thursday and Saturday nights. Some Thursday programs also include the municipal band playing crowd-pleasing showtunes and orchestral pop.
Festival Cruïlla Barcelona (July). Cruïlla is a popular and eclectic weekend-long music festival featuring pop and rock, alongside electronica and R&B, and a generous assortment of world music. 2017 headliners included Jamiroquai, Pet Shop Boys, Ryan Adams, Ani Difranco, and The Lumineers.
Barcelona Beach Festival (July). If you want a music festival on the beach, then BBF is the one. The 2018 program is still coming together, but headliners include Armin van Buuren, The Chainsmokers, and David Guetta.
San Miguel Mas i Mas Festival (August). Founded in 2003, this festival was begun to promote local culture, and originally focused on jazz and latin music. Today, this one festival at six venues includes something for everyone, and lasts the whole month of August. For 2018, the program promises to include workshops and sessions during the day, along with concerts every night. This festival is a great way to see a variety of Barcelona’s best venues, and hear up-and-coming local talent. Past headliners have included Jerry González, Diego el Cigala y Los Piratas, Buena Vista Social Club, and Aloe Blacc.
Fall and winter bring more jazz festivals, along with opera and symphony seasons, and a host of celebrations of all kinds during Christmas, Easter, and national holidays. There is always something on the musical calendar for this city rich in diverse cultures.
Have a night out.
If a full-fledged festival is more than your calendar can manage, make sure to catch some local music in these storied spots:
Tablao de Carmen. The best flamenco in Barcelona can be seen at Tablao, along with tapas and sangria to sate your appetite for all things Spanish.
Heliogàbal. This intimate club celebrates the artists of Gràcia, serving as a cultural touchpoint for music, poetry, and photography. Have a drink and listen to some of the best local bands in their neighborhood joint.
Razzmatazz. This massive venue offers five floors of music, for all night live music from rock and pop to techno and house. Global acts often play Razzmatazz, and it’s one of the most popular spots in Barcelona.
Jamboree. This basement jazz club in the Gothic Quarter has hosted legends like Chet Baker and Bill Coleman, and features Monday night jam sessions. Featuring the best music in a relaxed atmosphere, Jamboree is a local favorite for jazz and blues.
The Catalans love music, and it is deeply integrated into daily life and culture in Barcelona. No visit would be complete without steeping yourself in this aspect of Spanish life, and with so many options to choose from, you won’t have to go far to experience world-class music in this beautiful city.
