Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE BEAT FROM THE STREET
The Barcelona sound - mestiza - is a cross-cultural musical fusion whose heartland is the
immigrant melting-pot of the Raval. The local postcode - 08001 - lends a name to the
sound's hippest flagbearers, while also typically “Raval” is the collective called ChebBa-
lowski , an Algerian-Catalan fusion band. The biggest star on the scene is the Paris-born,
Barcelona-resident Manu Chao , whose infectious, multi-million-selling album Clandes-
tino (1998) kick-started the whole genre. He's widely known abroad, and influenced many
Barcelona bands, including the world music festival favourites Ojos de Brujo (Eyes of
the Wizard), who present a fusion reinvention of flamenco and Catalan rumba. Other hot
sounds come from the Latin American dub and reggae band GoLem System , and the
fusion-freestyle merchants LA Kinky Beat . There's more information on the useful mes-
tiza portal radiochango.com , while you can hear all the above - and more - on three
great samplers, Barcelona Raval Sessions , Barcelona Raval Sessions 2 and Barcelona
ZonaBastarda .Fornew-waveCatalanrumba,getholdofthe RamblaRumbleRumba com-
pilation.
CLUBS AND LIVE MUSIC
La Concha c/de Guardia 14 933 024 118; Drassanes; map . The Arab-flamenco fusion
throws up a great atmosphere, worth braving the slightly dodgy area for. It's a kitsch, gay-
friendly joint, dedicated to the “incandescent presence” of Sara Montiel, Queen of Song
and Cinema, with uninhibited dancing by tourists and locals alike. Admission free. Daily
5pm-3am.
Jazz Sí Club c/de Requesens 2 933 290 020, tallerdemusics.com ; Sant Antoni;
map . Thisisagreatplaceforinexpensive(€5-8)gigsinatinysweat-boxofaclubassociated
with the Taller de Músics (Music School). Every night from around 8.30 or 9pm there's
something different, from exuberant rock, blues, jazz and jam sessions to the popular weekly
Cuban (Thurs) andflamenco (Fri) nights. There are usually acouple ofsessions anight, with
an interval in between. Your first drink is included in the price, and the bar is as cheap as
chips. Daily 8-11.30pm.
Moog c/de l'Arc del Teatre 3 933 191 789, masimas.com/moog ; Drassanes; map .
One of the most influential clubs around for electronic sounds, playing techno, electro, drum
'n' bass and trance to a cool but up-for-it crowd. The bigger-name international DJs tend to
play Wednesday nights. Admission €5-10. Daily midnight-5am.
< Back to Bars, clubs and live music
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