The love relationship between Madrid and music -and its plans- is as obvious as it is beautiful. Ana Belén and Victor Manuel sang enthusiastically to the Puerta de Alcalá, C Tangana was inspired by the capital to create his most successful album to date -ElMadrileño- and even Shakira chose its streets to sing her songs the videoclip of Te dejo Madrid.
Not to mention the number of festivals that take place in Madrid or that there is no national artist who does not want to close his tour hanging the sign of sold out at the WiZink Center, favorite stage of pop, rock, trap or reggaeton singers.
The map of the Spanish capital is an extensive but accessible pentagram that any music lover would not want to miss. Madrid offers an infinite number of plans related to music. And today, for the European Day of Music, we tell you our favorites.
Giving it your all at the city’s music festivals
There are many, many, festivals that fill Madrid with music and varied plans every summer. MadCool, DCODE or Botanical Nights are some of the most famous of the summer season. However, we cannot fail to mention other equally enjoyable ones such as Brava Madrid, which premiered last year and has already presented its line-up for this year 2024, or KALORAMA Madrid which begins its adventure in the capital this August with artists such as Peggy Gou, Sam Smith and Raye.
A long list of festivals (and artists) that turn Madrid into a huge (and magnificent) stage.
Feel every beat in a party with the best DJs
Life has changed so much that if illustrious characters were to wake up in the 21st century, they would probably return to their lethargy from a fortuitous fainting spell. Marie Antoinette would be shaking her head when she saw that girls now wear corsets with miniskirts; Miguel de Cervantes would call me a witch when he saw me writing these words from a computer; and Vivaldi would freak out at one of the many DJ sessions in Madrid. I would flip out and dance to the floor, who are we kidding, because there is no one who can resist a party like the one they offer Tumbala Party, Bling! or many others in the capital.
Well-known DJs of the Madrid scene such as Sany Crime, Nukki, Sexy Noodle, SBO o Lost my bike will gather at Tumbala Party, a party that defines itself as la Ravetón in Madrid. Or what is the same, the most reggaeton rave in the capital.
Another favorite party in the capital is Bling!, dedicated to lovers of R&B, hip-hop, funk and trap. A party full of LBTB+ pride created by Cascales DJ and that sweeps Madrid’s nightlife. In addition, the sessions of Mondo Disko, El Sótano or Club Malasaña, where they play techno, trance or hardcore, are the perfect place to spend a night of partying and music in Madrid.
Enter (and shop) in its many music stores
Take it from us, there are many more than you think. Madrid has a wide range of music stores to choose from. From stores selling records and vinyls you can even find your favorite classics at the Liquidator Music, Discos Babel or Marilians Records, where you can lose yourself for hours in search of your favorite classics, to renowned luthiers such as Jorge JEC or The Custom Luthier Shop, who make real magic in every instrument they make.
The list of stores specializing in music, whether for amateurs or practicing musicians, is quite complete. Search for them at your convenience and you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.
Enjoying one of the many musicals in the capital city
Just like a squid sandwich has nothing to envy to a smash burger, there are few things Broadway offers that Madrid’s Gran Vía doesn’t have. From the musical The Lion King, which has been running for a dozen years, to new additions to the family of musicals such as Chicago, The Book of Mormon or the immersive experience WAH Madrid which sweeps IFEMA season after season.
Musical shows for all tastes and ages that make life in the capital a little more fun. Because, let’s be honest, it’s cooler to sing Today I Can’t Get Up than to just turn off the alarm seven times without saying a word.
Seeing a concert in an alternative bar, one of the best plans with music in Madrid
Discovering new artists in Madrid is like finding a portion of bravas on the menu of a traditional menu: very simple. Many indiebands and singers choose the capital to take their first steps in the world of music. And we, as viewers, could not be more grateful.
Every concert, no matter how small, needs an audience -us- and of course, also a space. Fortunately, in Madrid there are hundreds of bars and restaurants with live music. Spaces that offer their spotlights to emerging artists such as Café Berlin, the mythical Toni 2 or Café El Despertar, dedicated to jazz music.
Listen to a live organ concert at the National Auditorium
This is probably one of the most incredible plans for music lovers that you can do in Madrid. And also one of the cheapest: the ticket costs only 6 euros. Bach Vermouth is an initiative of the National Auditorium that seeks to bring symphonic music to the general public.
This organ concert is usually held on the third Saturday of each month and features live performances of some of Bach’s best known works but also other classical and contemporary compositions. An experience difficult to replicate in any other city. Have you ever seen an organ concert?
Experience a classical music concert by candlelight
Every weekend -and also every other weekday-, Candlelight fills some of the most emblematic spaces of Madrid with thousands and thousands of candles to offer concerts in classical format by artists of yesterday and today.
From Tributes to Ennio Morricone, Hans Zimmer or Ludovico Einaudi in the impressive Ateneo de Madrid to an imposing corps de ballet dancing to the rhythm of Tchaikovsky at the Círculo de Bellas Artes or tributes to the music of La Oreja de Van Gogh, Queen or even Bad Bunny. A complete Program that proves, once again, that Madrid is one of the best cities in terms of plans for music lovers.
Why celebrate the European Day of Music?
Although we would like it to be more curious and include a legend such as the one in Sant Jordi o Valentine’s Day the truth is that the European Day of Music falls every year on June 21 for a very simple reason: it was intended to coincide with the summer solstice.
It was the idea of the French Minister of Culture Jack Lang, who in 1982 wanted to give visibility to plans with music and to this art by marking the date on the calendar of all Europeans. An idea that today, more than 40 years later, we continue to celebrate – and dance to – with all the gusto in the world.