Remembering the years of ‘La Movida’
At the end of 70’s and middle 80’s, Madrid experienced a cultural, musical and aesthetic revolution known as “La Movida”. Famous mottos as “Madrid kills me” or “Madrid never sleeps” are still used nowadays. Some symbols and “temples” of “La Movida” are still on, some of them due to nostalgia.
La Movida in Madrid
First years after Franco’s death were a genuine culture revolution where Madrid called the shots. Artists as Nacha Pop, Alaska and their different projects (Kaka de Luxe, Pegamoides, Dinarama), Los Secretos or Radio Futura in music; Colomo, Zulueta or Oscar’s director Pedro Almodóvar in cinema; or artistic exhibitions such as García-Alix, Ceesepe, El Hortelano and so on.
During a decade while everything seemed possible, there was a cutting-edge underground art.
Memories of an era
Today some of these memories are still alive, more as a nostalgic visit than something really active. Today, we bring you the must-sees for you to live a piece of this legendary era.
Madrid me mata (i.e. Madrid kills me)
One of the most legendary mottos is exactly the name of this bar-museum located in the heart of the popular neighborhood of Malasaña (Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 31). This bar with over 200 square meters is a place where you can listen to Spanish Music from this ages and also a museum with a vast collection of objects from “La Movida”.
Legendary bars
“La Movida” was a rule-breaking, multidiscipline and nighttime movement–always at night. It is not a surprise that many bars and pubs remain as silent witnesses of this vibrant age of Madrid. El Penta (with the immortal song name “La Chica de Ayer” of Nacha Pop) is probably the surviving bar that more visitors receives.
“Vía Láctea” in Velarde street is another myth that is still on. This bar was first opened in 1979 and its walls are plenty of concert posters celebrated since its opening–probably at the same time as La Movida.
El Sol
Sala el Sol is a live music establishment–one of the most important in the city–where some of the most significant artists both national and international played during these ages. Today, after 40 years, the music schedule is more intense and lively than ever. If you want to go for a concert in Madrid check its agenda.
Escuela de Caminos de Madrid
Every fan and scholar of La Movida should take a moment to go to the Escuela de Caminos de Madrid (Profesor Araguren street). This building hosted in 1980 the tribute to José Enrique Cano, known as “Canito”, drummer of Los Secretos music band who passed away in a traffic accident. This concert is considered the first event of La Movida, its real starting point.