Music in Madrid

Hello everyone, welcome back to our weekly voyage into Madrid. If you are wondering how to
brighten up these sometimes gray January days I might have a suggestion for you. You may
not always be able to take the weather with you when you travel, but sometimes good music is like
liquid sunshine for the soul. Alvaro, one of the 'realizadores' of Esmadrid, belted out an improvised
monologue on the importance of the Rolling Stones for the millions of fans that are infused with
positive energy by Start me Up. He emphasized to anyone who was around to listen, that music is
the only art form that makes him feel immediately, without the use of consciousness. Yes, I answered,
but even Mick Jagger gets sick of singing Satisfaction sometimes, and sometimes he does it because it's his job.
"What? Do you think Eisntein developped the theory of relativity because it was his job?Bob Dylan spends his life
touring because that's who he is, geniuses do what they do because that's how they are happy"...Ok, I'm not sure
if i would be one to put Mick J. and Albert E. in the same category in terms of accomplishments for humanity,
but I have to admit that sometimes only Nina Simone singin' Oohoh child things are going to get easier' gets me
through a blue blue morning...So in ode to Alvaro, and all those whose hearts are open enough to be illuminated by song,
here are some of the places you can go to in Madrid to hear music alive:

La Riviera: la Riviera stands as a the best mid size venue for live music in Madrid...Through the years I've seen some amazing shows,
Femi Kuti,Ben Harper;Macy O.Parker;Elvis Costello;some of Earth Wind and Fire; and some not so great shows
(yes, i liked the Counting Crows when I was a teenager, so what?)...Recently Interpol reminded me of that free lightness only a good
rock show can give..Keep your eye out for upcoming concerts, you might be in town at the same time as the Babyshambles, Joe Satriani,
or DJ Shadow...


Sala Galileo Galilei: if you're looking for a more Spanish, intimate experience, la Sala Galileo has a show almost every night...it calls itself Madrid's
temple of music, check out their web page and see if you agree www.salagalileogalilei.com

Sala Clamores: here's what it says on the web:Founded in 1979, with the idea of recreating the jazz and bohemian atmosphere of a Club.
At present it combines jazz with other types of music. Blues, ethnic, Caribbean, afro, tango, etc. AND FLAMENCO. Near the traditional
district of Malasaña and the Glorieta de Bilbao. Top artists frequently play at this venue, for example: Joe Henderson, Dave Murray etc.

Cafe Central: If you're looking for a small jazzy romantic evening in a really european style Cafe, this is the place.
It boasts 25 years as "the" jazz place in Madrid...Concha Buika gave me serious goose bumps there one night...Just
walk by from la Plaza Santa Ana and see what surprise you may find, or check out www.cafecentralmadrid.com

Sala Heineken: on la calle Princesa this venue that has changed names a couple of time over the years is now sponsored by
a brand...It's a comfortable place, and I've been a couple of times...I danced to Prince Paul, Gentleman, and even Alaska here...check
out the web page www.salaheineken.com/;because you may be in town for Juliette And The Licks...sounds like a fun show...

and finally

Sala Bash: if you're an electronic music fan and you like to dance the night away with some of the best Djs around, this venue in Callao
reminds us all that Madrid truly is the city that never sleeps...

Marula cafe: don't tell anyone, but whenever big djs come to Madrid, they stop by the Marula Cafe hush hush and give a more intimate session...
www.marulacafe.com...

you might think, i didn't come to Spain to go to a concert, i came for the tinto, tortilla, Velazquez and Picasso...Sure, but just think about this,
most music stars love to play in Madrid because the crowd is fun and gives them lots of energy...I saw Caetano Veloso in Paris sitting
down and clapping at the end of each song, i saw the same show in Madrid's Conde Duque dancing and screaming out lyrics with my Portuguese
heart...and, sometimes we all need a little shouting with our Portuguese our hearts...if only to blow away the gray gray clouds...

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