Granada is noise
The most pragmatic believe that it is the water from the mountains. Others, like J of the Planets He has somewhat more psychotropic explanations: “The peak moment of Granada was in the Pleistocene when the Sierra was formed. That was the biggest h**t*ión that there has been in Spain. The noise that was formed there was much more powerful than that of Los Planetas”.
Either way, Granada has always been a cultural reference for locals and foreigners. At the end of the 20th century and so far in the 21st, a rock culture has taken root far above any other city in Spain. from classic rock Miguel Ríos, Los Angeles or Almíbar ; to the noise of Nick Lizard, KGB, Magic, The Planets or PPM ; going through the pop-rock of La Guardia, 091 or Lori Meyers. All fused with the poetry or flamenco of innovators like Enrique Morente. And the best of all is that all these groups and creators we are talking about are still in Granada. They didn't pack their bags to go to Madrid or Barcelona, but rather continue to be anchored to roots that they cannot give up because it not only keeps them alive but also inspires them.
“I had met again at 10
and I got off on the motorcycle
I used to do the usual bars,
where was it with you”
'A good day', The Planets
TO PILGRIMAGE
** Birthplace of Enrique Morente ** _(Cuesta de San Gregorio, 6) _
"I had to have been a rocker," says Morente in the documentary Omega, a journey through the conception and elaboration of the album that the flamenco singer made with nick lizard to honor Federico Garcia Lorca and Leonard Cohen . A transgressor from such an orthodox art, Morente has become the gateway to the flamenco genre from somewhat more modern sound approaches. His birthplace is located at number 9 on the slope of San Gregorio, in the Albayzín. The façade bears a commemorative plaque: “In this house the cantaor Enrique Morente 1941-2010 was born”. The house has been converted into tourist apartments that can be rented for about 60 euros a night.
Joe Strummer Square _(former Plaza Pilar de Escoriaza) _
The leader and guitarist of the Clash lived for a few years in Granada. He was in love with the city and Andalusia. In fact, a few years ago a documentary showing that love was released under the title I want to have a hardware store in Andalusia. In it he created very close ties with local groups such as the Nick lizard or 091. Today he is remembered in the city with a square that bears his name and that was inaugurated a few years ago in the best possible way: with a concert in his honor. The site, formerly called Plaza del Pilar de Escoriaza, It has unbeatable views and is guarded by the graffiti of the Niño de las Pinturas.
TO COVER
Amador _(Painter López Mezquita, 13) _
"...and I always go to Amador in case you show up." Rarely has a verse of a song been so profitable for a bar. What can I do was the first single from the first album Super 8 of The Planets back in 1995 and since then, the Amador bar has been included in all the tourist-rock guides of the city. Reopened a few months ago, El Amador is a tapas bar for a university audience . Good value for money, the bar is exactly as you imagine it, a neighborhood tavern of the kind that used to have sawdust on the floor. Good atmosphere, friendly waiters and music to the hair.
Eric's Bar _(Schools, 8) _
Eric has his own entity. In its own right it is part of the history of rock from Granada. battery of KGB, The Planets, Nick Lizard, The Evangelists and those who come A few years ago he opened a bar in Granada that has become a meeting place for curious people and music lovers. Also for the groups that arrive in the city to give a concert. It has vegan food and portions that mix modern shapes with traditional ingredients. He has a fetish corner with some stuff from Joe Strummer by Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, by Ana Curra or La Bien Querida … Beer in hand we can browse through the dozens of photos that cover their walls or the tickets and flyers that cover them.
rock was this
Soria _(Trinity Square, 3) _
It's the home of the Lori Meyers. If you go there and you don't find any of them, it's because they're playing around or on tour. Its owner, Fran, prepares a good rice as an appetizer for the reeds. It is a small and very classic place. If you go to Granada for a weekend and want to go to Soria, you will have to do it on Saturday at the time of the beers. In the afternoon and on Sunday, it closes.
Loop Bar & Records (Saint Matthias, 8)
If the motto of a bar is “We are interested in music, fundamentally independent, and on vinyl” you have to jump into the head. And in the case of the Loop Bar you will not regret it. If you are looking for the best tapas in Granada, this is probably not your place, but nevertheless you will find an excellent atmosphere with acceptable food. Having a beer and a tapa while browsing records by unimaginable groups is the closest you can get to paradise. Caution : It can make you strange to look at a cover and that one of that same group is leaning on the bar.
Classic Bar Soria
Botanical _(Malaga, 3) _
In the Botánico, where the bar ends, the coffee begins and where the coffee ends, the restaurant begins. This place in front of the Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Law is a must stop at some point of the day thanks above all to its kitchen hours: from twelve in the morning to twelve at night. Since it opened its doors it has been the site chosen by writers, poets, filmmakers and rock musicians. In fact, its proximity to the Ground Floor makes it the restaurant chosen by the bands that are going to play in the room. This modern place has a very varied menu that mixes Mediterranean cuisine with others from the rest of the world. There is a menu of the day. On Friday nights there are DJ sessions and Chill Out.
papaupa _(Molinos, 16. Realejo) _
Meeting place between Colombia and Spain, the Papaupa enters through sight, taste and hearing. As soon as you arrive, the vintage decoration is surprising, with elements as if they were taken directly from grandma's house. There is also a corner with tube television, escai sofas and Duralex dishes. Jazz and rock music and many books on the shelves. The Mutant Children are faithful to their shrimp ceviche and Creole potatoes with mojo sauce.
Lemon Rock Bar & Hostel _(Montalban, 6) _
It opened relatively recently and has become a musical benchmark in the bars of Granada. This international hostel has a bar that organizes concerts almost daily, many of them free, and is a must for anyone looking for live music and a good atmosphere in Granada. They have passed through here Mr. Chinarro or Napoleon Solo. Located inside a 17th century manor house, its decoration combines classic and industrial elements and careful lighting that gives a very cozy feeling. In his menu compete hamburgers with salads or broken eggs with ham.
the porrona _(Plaza Larga, 4. Albayzín) _
The rockiest thing you'll find in La Porrona is its owner, La Porri. At the age of 8, she was already performing in the tablaos of Sacromonte. Now, at nearly 60 years old, she boasts of having deployed her goblin to the most powerful on the planet. “The last Michelle Obama. I showed up for free to dance for him and I'm glad a jartá ”, Porri recalls of that moment. One more because she has also moved and displayed her art for the King Juan Carlos, Sofía and Letizia, Balduino, Ava Gardner, Omar Shariff or Pedro Duque. In fact, it's still not uncommon to find her around the bar singing and dancing as she carries a tray to a table. She alone is more than enough reason to visit La Porrona. But if we also add that it was the bar where the record was forged Omega, by Enrique Morente and Lizard Nick, We dispel any doubt to go there to have a drink and chat with Porri. And what do you want me to tell you, the least important thing is the tapas.
An international and very varied menu, with chill out music
TO BUY RECORDS
Bora bora discs _(University Square,1) _
Perfect paradise island name for this record store. Vinyl is finally gaining the upper hand over cds and Bora Bora is one of the greatest exponents of this "war" of sound palates. In Bora Bora, records are more than just music, they are objects of collecting and veneration. That is why they are surrounded by t-shirts, historical concert posters, classical instruments and a fetish for taking out the camera and taking pictures. In the purest Austin style On Saturdays they hold concerts in the store itself, which gives an incredible life to the Plaza de la Universidad and the surrounding area.
Pacemaker _(Duchess, 6) _
Do not hesitate to ask and get a surprise from the Pacemaker. 9 out of 10 music lovers recommend leaving the store with an unknown vinyl under their arm. Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Electronic, Hip Hop, Dub, Experimental... They have been advising, buying and selling records for more than 20 years. Now also online. If you go to Granada, do not forget to enter that “sound stimulant medicine cabinet” that is the Pacemaker.
A basic classic
FOR A DRINK
Rainbow _(Marqués don Gonzalo, s/n. University) _
It is the heaviest bar in Granada. Death, trash, speed, hard rock, glam or traditional heavy, everything has a place in this luxury club adorned with a mural in honor of the most important groups in the metal world. The flyer signed by DIO and dedicated to the venue is mythical. Do not miss details such as the Viking Manuel, in charge of collecting glasses and jars, the guitar that hangs behind the bar or the beer shooter with Megadeth decorations. There is no metal band that plays in Granada and does not end up in this joint . The members of Helloween or Jaded Heart have already tried their beer.
pink noise
This 2017 marks 30 years with the doors open to any interesting and quality musical option. Víctor and José Ignacio Lapido, the members of 091 founded it in 1987 and the singer of Lori Meyers was working behind the bar, Noni. Legend has it that it was at Ruido Rosa that she gave the group's demo to the record producer, which later became her first LP. What is certain is that inside, the Loris recorded part of the video clip for their first single, Dilema. His music spans 1970s psychedelia, indie music, and local bands. The place is somewhat hidden, it is quite small and fills up quickly. Whenever you go, it is very likely that you will find a musician from Granada leaning on his bar.
flash back _(Haza Furnace, 23) _
More than a bar, it looks like a museum with a beer tap. The Flashback is completely plastered with posters, pictures, tickets, concert posters, movies...everything related to pop culture and, above all, to rock and roll culture. The music goes from the Cramps even the soundtrack of the drawings of Maya the Bee. Although it opened its doors in 1998 on the street good event and became a benchmark in Granada for music lovers of the 60s, 70s and 80s, now they have a new location and a somewhat more eclectic trend. Fun to have a dance while you look enthralled at its giant screen on which video clips are projected with the songs that are playing. Very good atmosphere of older people looking to remember the music of the 90s.
Liberia _(Duchess, 8) _
Historical site in Granada. Every Saturday and Sunday there are acoustic concerts for €5 coffee and a drink. The rest of the days there are also concerts so you have to be attentive to their programming. It is a place revered by artists for the tremendous respect of its public. Also ideal for having a quiet coffee and chatting for a while while they sound Pearl Jam, Soundgarden or Smashing Pumpkins. In its more than 30 years of history, the Blues Band from Granada, Los Lagartos, or the master of the flame, Manolo Osuna. If none of this convinces you, the best is missing: it has billiards, pinball and darts.
Enrique Octavo in full fire
TO FINISH
Low level _(Abbot's Furnace, 11) _
It has been the nerve center of Granada's musical culture since the 1980s. Today they are under the direction of the members of Skorzo. His contribution to the world of Granada rock is such that it is summarized in a book Planta Baja 1983-1993, a compendium of testimonies that reveals the history of modernity in Granada and the chronicle of the underground at the same time. Today it is still much more than a concert hall. It is a space for provocation, for the avant-garde, a space for agitation and experimentation whose fame has ended up transcending generations, the city and even the room itself. If you have to choose just one place in Granada where you can live the history of rock in the city (it would be a shame) the Ground Floor should be your choice.
The train (Carretera de Málaga, 136, Nave 7)
It's on the outskirts of Granada, in the La Chana neighborhood, and its audience is mostly in their twenties with a desire for rock. Traditional songs with new trend themes make up the musical cocktail of this place that also organizes concerts. National and international artists pass through it. The Hall also has a rehearsal room for groups and its own recording studio.
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