Two weeks ago, I received an advertisement for a concert. I longed for some live music in Barcelona since the beginning of the pandemic.
The concept involves music and pinchos in a theatre bar situated in Raval. It started at 1 pm and ended at 3:30 pm. My curiosity is piqued.
I’d really like to attend it. We have been deprived of live concert since the pandemic appeared on the world scene. So far, I had been to classical and blues concerts, but they were held in a more formal setting, in a museum.
This one sounded like a different (but good) plan for a Saturday brunch time.
At a vaudevillian theatre eating pinchos
I attend the concert with a friend who also appreciates live music and music in general. I did not know about La Rubia Theatre before that day, even though I passed by it regularly. It is a vintage vaudevillian theatre, near the Macba. And it is hidden at the back of the restaurant La Rubia. It is quite a popular place in Barcelona for drinks and shows.
The #WhereverSessions organised by Front Page News Barcelona are live concerts held in unusual environments like this theatre. At the entrance, our tickets are checked, and then we receive wristbands. This reminds me of the good old days when life was normal and COVID was not around.
The theatre is set up like a cabaret with good social distancing between the tables and a limited number of guests. Before coming, I was worried about being in a closed space with many people especially as I would have to remove my masks while eating and drinking. But the set-up is made so that we don’t walk on each other’s toes, and are far enough from each other.
We have a drink, and the waiter brings us some olives. Then our pinchos come. We could choose from several tapas on offer, which was much better than the tiny piece of bread with toppings I imagined in my head.
We choose aubergine with honey. They are quite sweet, initially, but somehow the taste grows on you. We also order brunch from the restaurant while waiting for the first artist: a calamari sandwich for me (5.5 euros) and a veggie burger (7.50 euros) from my friend. They are good.
Live music concert in Barcelona with #WhereverSessions
Then the concert started.
The first act is Emma Elizabeth, an English musician, singer and songwriter. And the second one, Dylan Cloud, is a singer, guitarist and songwriter from New Zealand and the Philippines. Both artists are Barcelona based.
Before coming, I did not know any of the two artists and I did not read about them as I wanted to be surprised. One of the joys of live music is about discovering new bands. Emma Elizabeth was mellow with her pop songs, and Dylan Cloud was more upbeat with his blues repertoire. What a coincidence! The night before, with the same friend, we attended a musical conference around the biggest female blues singers at the MEAM. So, we were treated to a Blues weekend! Nice!
Both artists sang originals and covers, mainly accompanied by a guitar. I would see them again. Everyone was happy, clapping with their hands and nodding their heads at the rhythm of the songs. Two different styles, one good concert, a cool venue. We had an amazing time. It felt terrific to go back to a live music concert like this again and get a feel of how life was before C came around.
Front Page News Barcelona organises regular concerts (#WhereverSessions and other concert formats) showcasing local talents living in Barcelona. The next #WhereverSessions is on Saturday, March 13th.
To know more about Emma Elizabeth – instagram account: Emma Elizabeth ☾ (@emmaelizabeth.music)
To find out more about Dylan Cloud: www.instagram.com/radladdin