From Barcelona, with Love

Albert Peiró, Musician

I saw Arctic Monkeys on their Humbug tour at Club Sant Jordi. It was the first big concert I’d been to and the anticipation of being in line and the euphoria of the whole concert was very special. I can still remember the entire setlist.

Currently Sen Senra and Maria Arnal are making amazing music. I can’t wait to see how they evolve. And everything Alizzz touches turns to gold.

The Nau Bostik. It has great street art and vintage clothes sales plus street food markets as well as music. Since the pandemic, I’ve realised it doesn’t really matter what you’re going to see there, the venue is the star of the show and a cultural meeting point for everyone living in the neighbourhood.

Listen to Albert’s playlist

 Alex Nikolov, Community Expert and Music Manager

070 Shake’s concert at Sala Apolo right after releasing her debut album ‘Modus Vivendi’. Her confidence and charm on stage is hypnotizing. The recent Boiler Room in Apolo was great too, featuring queer, POC and female collectives including Jokko, Maricas and Chica Gang. The crowd’s energy was out of this world.

My current favourites are Leïti Sene, Bikôkô, Virgen María, Kai Landre, Soto Asa, Bad Gyal, Oseka, Ikram Bouloum, Cora Novoa, Yugen Kala.

Walk round Montjüic, brunch at Caravelle, stop for beer around MACBA and then a cocktail at Soho House.

Listen to Alex’s playlist

Ariana Díaz Celma, PR Agency Owner

It’s so hard to pick your best gig ever! Like picking your favourite record. Three come to mind though. Sun Ra Arkestra back in 2016 at Sala Apolo, which is my favourite venue for live music. Another was Herbie Hancock at Palau de la Música, back in October 2019. Then probably the most memorable was Gregory Isaacs in 2008. He’s my favourite reggae performer and sadly died a few years later. When he sang ‘Night Nurse’, it felt as if it was the last time he was going to do it in his life.

Susanna Estrada for everything she represents. The Gijón born artist has always been one of the most uninhibited and provocative erotic symbols in Spain. And she was a key feminist symbol during Spain’s transition from Franco’s regime and has released a series of amazing disco tracks and records.

I love the fact that Barcelona has been opening loads of small clubs in the last few years. LAUT, Red58 or Vol are all good examples. Then we’ve got loads of amazing record shops to get lost in to like Wah-Wah, Discos Paradiso, Small Black Dotes, Subwax and Revólver. Take an extra bag when you visit Barcelona!

Listen to Ariana’s playlist

Jordi Chicletol, DJ and TV Presenter

I was lucky enough to be at Summercase Festival in 2006 to see Daft Punk. No words!

I’ve always been obsessed with how young people dress in the suburbs. I love a tracksuit aesthetic, but my parents never allowed me to dress that way.

I developed my club kid identity at nights spent at Razzmatazz and Apolo in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Nowadays I enjoy seeing the next generation on social media, hanging out in places like Candy Darling.

Listen to Jordi’s playlist

Laura Prim, Art Director

The xx, Masego, Nathy Peluso and Angus Stone & Julia Stone have all been special.

There are lots around the El Born area and Paradiso is one I really love.

The sea!

Listen to Laura’s playlist

Soribah Ceesay, Model, Musician, DJ and Music Promoter

I’ve been to so many great ones but without a doubt, the one that stuck with me the most was Roy Ellis aka Mr.Symarip in 2011 at Sala Apolo.

For his versatility and originality, without a doubt Highkili is one of my favourites, he comes from the Canary Islands and is bringing a fresh wave to the national scene.

For me Razzmatazz and Sala Apolo are two of the most iconic venues in Barcelona where the programming never disappoints.

Listen to Saribah’s playlist

Visit Fred Perry Barcelona at Carrer Rec 77, Barcelona, 08003, Spain