We bring you the schedule of upcoming concerts in Madrid. From here we draw several conclusions: doing one (or two, or three dates) in a big arena (see the WiZink) is fashionable both for established artists and for new bands. The live music craze is real and we hope it is, also, authentic.
In this list there are tour closures, unexpected tributes, the odd festival and open-air concert, small emerging bands that are starting to sound in Madrid’s mythical venues and that you can’t miss before they become famous… Take note!
Concerts of the month of October
The Vaccines at the BUT (October 15)
What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? We do know what to expect, really: sharp indie rock that never ceases to renew itself. Although it’s been more than 10 years since Justin Young and Freddie Cowan formed this group, the Brits still sound fresh. It was precisely the album with which we opened this paragraph that catapulted them to fame in 2011. Now, a decade later, they will arrive at BUT (one of the most emblematic) to continue demonstrating that their energy and sound are as fresh as ever.
Sala BUT Calle de Barceló, 11 (Malasaña)
Ivo Pogorelich at the Auditorio Nacional (October 16)
Did you know that Madrid is currently in the midst of celebrating the only great piano cycle that survives in Europe? It is the 30th edition of the Ciclo de Grandes Intérpretes de la Fundación Scherzo, which this October features the pianist Ivo Pogorelich This October it features the pianist Ivo Pogorelich, a master who is considered to have set the new stage for classical music at the present time.
Calle del Príncipe de Vergara, 146 (Cruz del Rayo)
Dame Area at The Bassement (October 18)
Dame Area is difficult to explain with words. They are somewhere between industrial and bakala, with that freneticism so typical of the 20s of the 21st century. At times, reminiscent of early Nine Inch Nails; at others, of The Soft Moon. That is, all the good stuff (thanks, Luis Vasquez for so much <3). They’ll be playing at a venue that suits them just fine: The Bassement, so dark, so sweaty and catchy. One of the International Smoke bands you shouldn’t miss.
Calle de Galileo, 26 (Chamberí)
St. Vincent at La Riviera (October 20)
Hoa hoa hoa hoa hoa… There are plenty of references when we talk about St. Vincent. It is true that the famous “hoa” does not belong to Roslyn, but this song, along with the great Bon Iver, is one of the most iconic of the Twilight saga. St. Vincent, Annie Clark’s acclaimed musical project, will present her new album Todos nacimos gritando ( yes, in Spanish) on October 20 at La Riviera, offering a unique blend of art-rock, experimental pop and her unmistakable avant-garde and, of course, nostalgic touch.
Paseo Bajo de la Virgen del Puerto, S/N, (Arganzuela)
Jersey at BUT (October 24th)
Tremendous fun, tremendous dances. Jersey are two French brothers who have taken the house fun (zero machacón) as their flag, to make the audience dance and jump in carefree sessions and zero imposture. They hit the big time with Talk Tonight but we recommend you to take a look at their albums and give it all!
Sala BUT Calle de Barceló, 11 (Malasaña)
SFDK at the Wizink Center (October 28th)
SFDK has been one of the pillars of Spanish rap for decades. With three decades on the scene, the Sevillians Zatu and Acción Sánchez continue to prove that their music is as powerful as ever. SFDK has not only left its mark with songs that have become hip hop anthems, but their influence has also reached unexpected corners, such as the webseries Malviviendo, where their music has been part of the soundtrack that accompanies the adventures of the most peculiar neighborhood on the Internet.
Nor can we forget his collaboration with the rapper Kase.O from Zaragoza, joining two of the great powers of rap in Spain in songs like Ringui Dingui.
WiZink Center: Avenida de Felipe II S/N (Goya)
Nick Cave at WiZink Center (October 25)
He’s done it again: Nick Cave (and his bad seeds) have just released a rounded, powerful, emotional album, one of those that grab your chest and your insides and won’t let go. What a madness Wild God is, what a talent and what a capacity to keep the listener in suspense song after song. What luck to be able to prove that you don’t have to lose the essence to get hooked, that if you have good musicians and talent, anything is possible. Cave has become a preacher who plunges the audience into a state of total perplexity with every movement and every phrase. Well, this is the concert of the year, Madrilenians.
WiZink Center: Avenida de Felipe II S/N (Goya)
La Culpa at Café La Palma (October 26)
Another of Humo Internacional ‘s bands (really, what a wonderful label), who are starting to break through at festivals and live shows. We have to say that their presentation card at the Canela Party in 2024, with the sunshine of a summer afternoon (the middle of August in Torremolinos) perhaps didn’t do justice to a band with a rounded, well put together album, with sounds that take us back to Futuro Terror (RIP, we miss you).
Calle de la Palma, 62 (Center)
Lagartija Nick at Sala Shoko (October 26)
Classics above all, this band was born in Granada in 1991. For music lovers this is already a defining fact: in this city, the 90s were glorious (musically speaking at least) with bands such as Los Planetas, Lori Meyers, Niños Mutantes… Lagartija Nick were the ones who put Morente on cante jondo while they performed an enthralling psychedelic rock, aflamencado, creating the album Omega. An absolute treasure that, to this day, continues to be emulated by many without comparison.
Calle de Toledo, 86 (La Latina)
Natos y Waor at the Wizink Center (October 26th)
On the same day as Lagartija Nick, the WiZink Center will host Nator y Waor. Absolutely nothing to do with each other: two styles, two audiences, two eras, two Spains (allow us the slip of the tongue, it’s a joke). The hip hop of these two rappers (who met in cockfights in Madrid) has a traditional, classic rap, without additions and very raw.
WiZink Center: Avenida de Felipe II S/N (Goya)
November preview
- November 2, Fontaines D.C. (Wizink Center)
- November 4th, Angry Blackmen (Sala Siroco)
- November 8th, El Columpio Asesino (La Riviera)
- November 9th, Chelsea Wolfe (La Sala de WiZink Center)
- November 12, MARO (Teatro Eslava)
- November 13 and 14, Los Planetas (La Riviera)
- November 14, Cuco (Sala Villanos)
- November 14, 15 and 16, Triángulo de Amor Bizarro (Sala Copérnico)
- November 15, La Lom (Sala Nazca)
- November 18, Bryan Adams (WiZink Center)
- November 21, La Élite (La Riviera)
- November 22nd, Girl Ultra (El Sótano)
- November 23rd, Desire (Panda Club)
- November 23rd, Medalla + FUET! (Wurlitzer Ballroom)
- November 23rd, The Sisters of Mercy (Santuario Fest, Pinto)
- November 24th, RY X (BUT Hall)
- 24th November, Julia Holter (Sala Shoko)
- November 25, DIIV (BUT Hall)
- 27 November, Sat Tree (Sala Moby Dick)
- 28th November, Bon Entendeur, Lula Club
- November 30, Elio Toffana (Sala BUT)
December preview
- December 4, Mdou Moctar (Sala Mon)
- December 6th, Zaz (Teatro Fernando de Rojas del Círculo de Bellas Artes)
- December 9th, King Hannah (Sala El Sol)
- December 13, Arde Bogotá (WiZink Center)
- December 14, Yung Beef plus guest artists, (Palacio de Vistalegre)
- December 14th, Front242 (Sala BUT)
- December 22nd, Ana mena (WiZink Center)
- December 23rd, Morad (WiZink Center)
First confirmed artists of 2025
The coming year is pointing in the right direction. For starters, in January, Judeline will present her album, Nudozurdo will return to dazzle an audience that did not abandon them (despite the band’s hiatus for a few years) and the kings of Californian hardcore, Touché Amoré will present an album at the Sala Mon (hurry up, tickets are flying).
In February, bands such as Carolina Durante, Amaia, post punk revelation julieSidonie, Franz Ferdinand, Nettle, Baiuca, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart? and the great Jay Jay Johanson.
In March, Pignoise will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a spectacular concert, Marc Scibilia will bring his folkie universe from the United States and El Último Vecino will make us dance to “yo por ti seré columna…. while I polish the marble”.
To this we can add a spring with Soccer Mommy at the Copernicus, also with Ed Sheeran live , two dates (May 11 and 12) of Dua Lipa at the WiZink Center, Imagine Dragons and the rumor rumor of divas like Shakira, who is said to be trying to close four dates! in the capital. But for divas, Belén Aguilera, who has just announced her first WiZink for October 12, 2025, queen!
This article has been written by María F. Carballo and Carmen Seco.