Concert Venues in Barcelona

Barcelona has many sights and attractions, from the Art and Architecture to the parks and gardens, it's no wonder tourists flock each year to the Mediterranean city for a short break or a summer holiday. However, recent years have also seen a new trend in travellers visiting the city - those looking for some exciting concerts! Live Music in Barcelona is fantastic. A cosmopolitan city that many huge International artists choose as a must-have on their international tours - in fact, many recent tours of huge stars have started here, too - thing U2's recent 360º World Tour and George Michael's 25 Live tour both broke the ice in Barcelona.

Palau Sant Jordi is an excellent concert venue up on Montjüic Mountain, and a legacy of the 1992 Olympic Games. The multi-purpose venue has been filled with water for the World Swimming championships, covered in Ice for Disney productions and open aired for Spanish X-Factor auditions, but is best served as a concert venue. With a capacity of 20,000 for non-sporting events, it's no wonder groups such as Green Day, Madonna, Sting, REM, Phil Collins, Beyonce and other superstars choose this venue for the top bill in Barcelona.

Barcelona's emblematic Camp Nou Stadium - home to FC Barcelona, and the biggest stadium in Europe - is reserved for a select few and U2 have chosen this venue twice in recent years for their Vertigo and 360º tours. The Stadium has a capacity for 110,00 people, but add to that the pitch itself (which almost always has to be re-surfaced) and you have nigh on 100,000 revellers singing along in a unique experience.

The nearby Pavellon Olympico in Badalona, just outside Barcelona is another medium sized venue with a capacity of 12,500. This is often a go between for bands or artists on the up and up. Take That played here recently, and Coldplay famously sold out in February here, then returned in November of the same year to play a sell-out Palau Sant Jordi on the Rush of Blood to the Head tour.

There are also some great downtown venues for live music where fairly famous bands outside of Spain choose to play. Razzmatazz in Poble Nou is a small and intimate venue where, again, bands like Coldplay have played before they reached superstardom, as well as lesser known - but still huge - bands such as NOFX, Keane, Travis and countless other Spanish and south American bands who now fill stadiums alike worldwide.

Sala Bikini and Old Town London Bar and Jamboree have also seen their fair share of superstars light up an evening for the fortunate few, with these venues holding less than 150-200 people. The legendary Ella Fitzgerald has played Jamboree, and folk stars such as Billy Bragg and UK hotshots in the 90's Supergrass chose bikini, too. Another favourite for the alternative crowd is Sala Apolo, on the theatre district's main avenue, Parallelo. Here expect to be wowed by local and foreign bands about to make it big along with seasoned professionals such as Paul Weller and many DJs, cabaret and newly revived Burlesque acts, too! All in all, you're spoilt for choice in Barcelona when booking a concert ticket - you won't be disappointed!