I
La Movida

After Franco died (November 20, 1975) things turned round in spanish culture in a period generally summed under the name La Movida madrilène, or later La Movida española. Around 1977 teen idol Miquel Bosé was one of the first new voices in Spanish new wave. Artistically a concert by band Los Secretos called ‘El Concierto de Primavera’ is considered the starting point.. In the Madrid undergorund anothjer band stirred called Kaka de Luxe whose bandmembers would later pop up in Radio Futura, Dinarama and Mecano. The radioshow Onda 2 (Radio España) was one of the first to pick up on the new musical scene. A tribute concert in 1979 called  "Concierto homenaje a Canito" in memory of José Enrique Cano Leal (drummer of Los Secretos), featured acts like Nacha Pop, Paraíso, Alaska y los Pegamoides, Trastos, and Los Rebeldes. Names that in the Eighties would become established names.

Singer Alaska would even host a children's TV show called La Bola de Cristal where several musical guests would appear (including her own band Dinarama). Other important artists in la movida are musicians like Aviador Dro, Los Nikis, Ramoncin and Radio Futura. The eighties show an abundance of new groups who try to incorporate traditional music with pop. Andalusion flamenco is mixed with rock by Pata Negra and El Ultomo de la Fila. More straight forward rock is made by Heroes del Silencio, Barón Rojo  and La Union. Ska influences are adapted by the comical Un penguino a mi ascensor (A penguin in my elevator). More singer songwriter material and high quality pop is made by poet Joaquín Sabina. Occasionally bands from other Spanish cities and dialectic areas are considered as having taken part of the “Movida”, like Siniestro Total and Golpes Bajos from Galicia, Farmacia de Guardia from Murcia, and Loquillo, El Último de la Fila and Desechables from Barcelona. Barricada from Pamplona started as a Basque punk band but would become on of the popular Spanish rockbands in later years.

Even the synthesizer gets a Spanish feel when groups like Mecano and Tam Tam Go hit the scene. Mecano will score a huge international hit with ‘Hijo de la Luna’. The term powerfolk can be applied on singer duo Azucar Mureno who seem to use the flamenco singing technique on anything from disco to house. The period of La movida even has it’s own musical called Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar, composed by Nacho Cano, former member of Mecano. It portrays a love story with la movida as cultural background. The musical explains the condition of young people in la movida, trying to survive in Madrid under the shadow of drugs and AIDS.

In the new age la movida becomes highly influenced by British indie music. Especially Radiohead makes an impact in Spain. Bands like Los Planetas, Dorian, Supersubmarina and Vetusta Morla are good examples of that stream that maintain a sound on their own. Unique is the band Antonia Font who makes artrock in Catelan dialect.