Barcelona’s Live Music Scene

Introducing the Scene…

As a city that boasts more artists than pigeons (at least according to our somewhat boozy and unofficial survey), it’s safe to say that Barcelona’s live music scene is – if you’ll forgive the pun – rockin’. The Catalan capital has a rich musical heritage and has cultivated maestros such as the composers Josep Anselm Clavé and Enrique Granados in the 19th Century, the world famous opera singer Montserrat Caballé (who dueted with Freddie Mercury on ‘Barcelona’ theme to the 1992 Olympic Games), as well as the more contemporary talents of Ojos de Brujo, a nine-piece hip-hop/flamenco band, and Cabo San Roque – who play old washing machines and toy dogs as instruments. This is a city that loves to perform.

Music seems to spring from the very foundation stones of Barcelona, and whether you’re strolling down La Rambla, mooching around on the city beaches or exploring Gaudi’s Park Guell you’re bound to hear some artistic souls strike up a chord or beating a banjo, as often for the sheer joy of playing as for a copper or two. It goes without saying too that, in this decidedly Bohemian city, organised concerts of rock, jazz, blues, electro, flamenco, classical, folk and pretty much every genre in between take place in every barrio and district… and whereas cynics will point to a lost era of creativity in the late 90s and early 00s, when a greater permissiveness meant more freedom to play wherever you wanted (see below about noise restriction laws!) there’s still plenty going on in the city.

barely a weekend passes around here without a big name or two coming to town

The grander (and pricier) end of the city’s live music spectrum takes place in the major stadiums, concert halls and cavernous nightclubs, where international acts of world-renown are invited to shake the rafters down: barely a weekend passes around here without a big name or two coming to town, from rock legends like AC/DC to, erm, Justin Bieber (sorry about that). But there’s also a bevy of more intimate bars supporting local bands, so if its a casual gig for under a fiver you’re after you’ll be able to find it.

Free concert? Don’t mind if I didgeridoo!

Live Music Festivals

Back to the top acts and it’s well worth keeping an eye on the festival line-ups. Barcelona boasts a number of cutting edge music fests such as Primavera Sound (the biggest and best, with a focus on indie bands), Sonar (which is DJ and dance music orientated, but still invites a great deal of live electronic music acts), and Cruilla (a good mix of genres, from world music and rock, to rap and hip hop), and all of these events mean you can see an array of top acts at a decent price, all things considered.

La Merce is one of many festes majors that take place throughout the warmer months, and during these week-long street parties there’ll be musicians rocking out on every corner and square of the barrio.

If however you don’t have two pennies to rub together, then time your visit for the annual La Merce fiesta in September: this is the official festival of the city and a number of high profile artists play for free in open spaces around town, courtesy of the Barcelona city council (thanks guys!).

La Merce is in fact one of many festes majors that take place throughout the warmer months, and during these week-long street parties there’ll be musicians rocking out on every corner and square of the barrio.

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Live music lovers who loathe the idea of stadium-sized crowds, screaming teenagers and overpriced tickets will be pleased to know Barcelona also boasts a number of small and mid-sized venues where more intimate concerts take place. Laws enforcing noise restrictions meant a lot of underground and artistic places lost their licenses in the mid-2000s, but thankfully new hotspots have sprung up and there’s more than enough places spread around the city. As for what you might hear? There are concerts for all tastes, so whether you want to rock up to a klezmer fusion session, afrobeat jam, acid jazz jive or balkan beat bonanza a bit of research will reveal all (start by checking the websites of the venues we list below!).

Naturally musical purists are not left out in the cold/warm, as Barcelona boasts concert halls aplenty for classical performances, such as the Liceu Theatre, with its rich programme of opera and ballet, and L’Auditori where the Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra regale the crowds.

14 Fantastic Live Music Venues

For ease of browsing, we’ve split Barcelona’s concert venues into the following categories:

i. Classical Music
ii. Music Bars & Clubs
iii. Irish Pubs
iv. Flamenco Tablaos
v. Experiences

Classical Music Venues

Let’s aspire to intellectualism and kick off with the classical concert halls:

1. Gran Teatre del Liceu

Opened in 1847, Barcelona’s Opera House on Las Ramblas still draws the crowds for a rich programme of opera and ballet. The 2,292-seat main auditorium is a sight to behold, and the Catalans like to get dressed up for these impressive performances.
La Rambla 51-59
www.liceubarcelona.cat

2. Gaudi’s Casa Batllo

From late spring to autumn, visitors to Barcelona can enjoy a concert on the rooftop of none other than Gaudi’s magical Casa Batllo. This series of concerts is called the Magic Nights, which is a great way to describe these chilled out gigs best enjoyed in evening dress with a flute of cava and a warm summer breeze. You can book tickets here.
Passeig de Gràcia 43
www.casabatllo.es/visit-magic-nights

3. L’Auditori

This modern glass palace, built in 1999 and designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, seats 2,200 of Barcelona’s most refined rumps in its main hall for performances by Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra.
C/Lepant, 150
www.auditori.cat

4. Palau de la Musica Catalana

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Domenech i Montaner’s stunning Modernista masterpiece is also a functioning music hall, where regular orchestral, operatic and other musical performances take place. They also host regular festivals and Spanish guitar concerts, such as this tribute to Paco de Lucia by three guitar maestros.
C/Sant Pere Mes Alt
www.palaumusica.cat

Live Music Bars & Clubs

And for some more contemporary spaces…

5. Slow Barcelona

This stylish cocteleria is also a fantastic place to drop by for regular live performances. An eclectic array of bands turn up to regale the club room upstairs with pop, funk, rock and electro sounds every Friday and Saturday night, after which DJs keep the party going. Check their event agenda below – or follow them on Facebook to keep up-to-date.
C/Paris 186
www.slowbarcelona.es/agenda/

6. Sala Razzmatazz

This huge, ex-factory in Poblenou invites some of the biggest names in indie and pop to rock Barcelona, and you may well find some of your favourite bands turn up here if you spend much time in the city!
C/Almogavers 122
www.salarazzmatazz.com

7. Sala Apolo

Similar to Razzmatazz – a big danceclub by night, but concert venue earlier in the evening. Artists at Sala Apolo are often a bit more leftfield with more dance and electro acts performing, alongside rock, punk and indie.
Nou de la Rambla 113
www.sala-apolo.com

8. Soda Acustic

A relatively new addition to the scene Soda keeps the Bohemian residents of the Gracia district entertained with gigs three or four nights a week. Sundays are always a great bet with one of the city’s most famous Brazilian music collectives, D’Dom, enjoying a weekly residence there. Prepare to swing your hips to samba, bossa nova, hip hop and funk. Entrance is free.
C/Guilleries 6
www.soda.cat

9. Big Bang Bar

One of the city’s most famous music venues, Big Bang is situated on a rather uninviting back alley of the hip but sleazy Raval district. It opens at Wednesdays to Sundays with daily concerts usually starting at 9pm, in their intimate back room. Tickets are typically cheap, around €5 on average. Their website has their upcoming events, as does their Facebook page.
C/Botella 7
www.bigbangbarcelona.com

Irish & International Bars

Barcelona’s Irish and international boozers are reliable places to pop by for gigs during the weekends, when the management tends to book fun-loving folk and cover bands. Entrance is almost always free, so if you’re looking for a casual concert and beer check out the following venues…

10. The Old Irish Pub

One of Barcelona’s epic Irish boozers that hosts concerts EVERY night of the week, the Old Irish Pub gets started earlier than some of the city’s other locales, and you can listen to acoustic rock here daily from 8pm. Perfect if you don’t fancy staying up too late! (Although if you do the party continues until 3am, with DJs playing party bangers, after the concert). Entrance is always free and you can find it on Las Ramblas.
Rambla dels Caputxins 18
oldirishpub.es

11. Obama Gastropub

This British boozer, just off the Passeig de Gracia has free live concerts every night of the week, from 11pm to 2am. The music choice is more crowd-pleasing than experimental, so expect rock, pop and blues, with plenty of great covers to sing along too. There’s an extensive beers and cocktails menu, and the kitchen is open until late.
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 603
obamabcn.com/music

Live Flamenco Concerts

One of the most popular activities for travellers is a visit to a traditional flamenco tablao. And whilst this world-famous Spanish music originates from the south of the country, you might be surprised to hear that Barcelona has it’s own flamenco heritage (you can read about it here!). If you’d like to see a show we can recommend two popular activities:

12. Tablao Cordobes

Tablao Cordobes is arguably Barcelona’s most authentic flamenco venue, and has been platform for Spain’s finest flamenco performers since the 1970s. It’s Andalusian-style salon, with its low ceilings and somewhat cramped seating, makes for an intimate experience with fantastic acoustics reverberating around the room – you will feel every footstomp and handclap. You can buy tickets for one of three shows a night, or upgrade your ticket to include a Spanish buffet meal with paella. Tickets available via Get Your Guide.

13. Flamenco and Tapas Evening

A fun and affordable night at an authentic tablao on Plaza Real proves a good chance to make friends with other travellers and cross off two legendary Spanish traditions in one night. The concert is just 30 mins long so a good introduction to the genre, without any fear of you getting too fidgety. You can read more and book via this page.

Live Music Experiences

You don’t have to visit a posh concert hall or cramped bar to enjoy some musica en directo in Barcelona! Here’s a suggestion or two of experiences amplified with sound…

14. Sunset Sailing with Live Sax or Guitar

Everyone visiting or living in Barcelona should go sailing at least once (in my humble opinion) and these days it’s fashionable to head out in the evening to enjoy the sunset from the water. To make the experience even more romantic some companies offer sailing trips with live guitar or even live saxophone music.

More Venues?

OMG… don’t tell us we’ve omitted your favourite tambourine jam / body-beats artistic improv centre off the list? That won’t do! Just let us know in the comments of any more great places to hear music live in BCN… we’d love to hear your suggestions!