Our KIN network take us on a trip to their home cities. This time we head into the night with creative Angel Galán, in Madrid
Angel Galán works as a DJ, producer and art director and runs an electronic record label in Madrid. He also hosts yoga and sound sessions workshops, and curates art projects and installations.
He is passionate about free culture.
“I think that the night entertainment in Madrid is a great attraction. We have good weather on many days of the year and there are a lot of options to eat, drink, dance…
But it is true that there is greater institutional support for work than for real culture in Madrid. Despite this, the character and energy of the people make the city continue to be a hotbed of creativity and possibilities.”
Find out more about the Crowd DNA KIN Network here
Madrid is a cosmopolitan city with long hours…
Since the 80s, Madrid nightlife has been recognised by residents and visitors as one of the most fun. And while I think there is a clear division between underground and commercial nightlife, lately new hybrid electronic genres are beginning to blur the lines that separate them.
Madrid nightlife always has something for everyone, all the time.
It used to be quieter during the summer months because people were on vacation and fewer tourists came. But this has changed: the number of people coming here in the summer has increased, especially because of the number of open-air festivals.
A lot of night life is outdoors, eg the Mad Cool festival and in bars like La Paralla and at label parties
The increase in tourist apartments has caused people to change neighborhoods
People are moving away from the city centre. This has gentrified some working-class neighborhoods, such as Carabanchel, which is becoming an area of artists’ studios, galleries and hybrid cultural spaces.
Find out about the parties that are taking place outside the city centre…
In Madrid we have the emblematic Siroco and El Sol venues with a very varied program (so I recommend that you visit their websites and find out what’s on), as well as smaller clubs like Cadavra, Specka or Ballesta, and the Sunday parties at La Parrala. And of course you should find out about the parties hosted by the different private clubs in areas far from the city centre.
The quality of electronic music has been at a high level for a long time…
Focusing on what I like the most, which is electronic music (from ambient to techno through to electro or bass music), I can say that the quality of the DJs and producers in Madrid – whether the parties, their labels, or their music – has been at a very high level for decades. Go to label parties such as Caustica, Distrito 91 or Analogical Forces for a good example of very creative people making and playing very good music and connecting people from all over the world.
To delve into more city life read City Limits, our series of pieces exploring the urban experience here.