The Struggles of Madrid’s Live Music Scene: A Story by James Jamp

Madrid is a city rich in culture and creativity, but for musicians trying to make a name for themselves, the live music scene presents some serious challenges. British musician, producer, and engineer James Jamp knows these struggles firsthand. Having relocated to Madrid in 2014 for a collaborative music project, James found himself deeply embedded in the city’s music scene. His story reflects both the highs and lows of working as a musician in Madrid—and the systemic issues that hold the local scene back.

A Promising Start: Music in Madrid Before the Pandemic

When James first arrived in Madrid, he came with a mission: to help musicians impacted by the 2008 financial crisis. Collaborating with Medialab Prado and Matadero Madrid, he launched a project designed to bring Spanish artists together to compose and create. The success of the initiative was undeniable, extending from an initial three-month residency to six months due to the overwhelming number of applicants. This early experience highlighted a hunger for creativity and collaboration among local artists, sparking optimism for James’ own music career in Spain.

His music took off, and he found steady work as a freelance producer and engineer for a music publisher. In parallel, he played countless gigs across Madrid, both as a solo artist and in various bands, often organizing nights at different venues around the city. Some of those gigs went well, while others exposed deep-rooted problems in how Madrid’s live music scene operates.

“Pay to Play” and the Struggle for Fairness

One of the most glaring issues James encountered is Madrid’s notorious “Pay to Play” policy. In many venues, musicians are required to pay to perform without any real financial return. Even worse, venues often leave all the promotional work to the bands themselves, expecting them to fill the room with little to no support. “Fair? Obviously not!” James says, pointing out that this model discourages artists from playing live due to the financial burden and the workload involved.

And it’s not just the smaller venues. The problem seems to have gotten worse after the pandemic, as costs for performing have skyrocketed. James shares a recent example where a venue quoted a band €400 just to rent the space from 8 PM to midnight, with no cut of bar sales. Even part of the door money goes toward covering the cost of the “free drink” offered to concertgoers. Under these conditions, it’s almost impossible for bands to break even, let alone make a profit.

Madrid vs. the UK: A Tale of Two Music Scenes

James contrasts the difficulties in Madrid with his experiences growing up in the UK, where venues often work in partnership with local bands. “In the UK, up-and-coming bands usually play for free, and some even get paid,” he explains. In his hometown, bands could book venues for free, and if they attracted a good crowd, they would even earn a portion of the bar takings. “We used to let people in for free, fill the room, sell a lot of beer, and everyone was happy. It also attracted bands from other towns, creating an amazing scene.”

 “Spanish crowds are different from other crowds as the majority go out to socialise and not to specifically listen to music.”

This kind of partnership between bands and venues is rare in Spain, where most venues refuse to invest in creating a sustainable, grassroots music scene. James believes this reluctance to change the business model is not only hurting musicians but is also a missed opportunity for venues to build a loyal audience and long-term revenue.

Post-Pandemic Disillusionment

While James continues to be passionate about playing live, the pay-to-play system has taken its toll. He admits that after the pandemic, he became disillusioned with Madrid’s live music scene and chose to focus on recording his album instead of gigging with his project. However, he still plays with two other original bands, performing at venues that offer fairer deals to artists. Even so, he acknowledges that those organizing the gigs still face many of the same challenges: limited negotiating power and an inflexible system.

A Call for Change

James’ story sheds light on the systemic challenges facing Madrid’s live music scene. While the city is full of talented musicians, the infrastructure often works against them, making it difficult for bands to play live, build a fan base, and thrive in their careers. The pandemic has only worsened these issues, and unless venues and promoters start investing in their local artists, the scene risks stagnating.

For James, the love of music keeps him going, but for many artists in Madrid, the barriers to success are simply too high. As Madrid continues to evolve, there’s hope that the live music scene will follow suit and that venues will recognize the value in supporting the city’s talent.

In the meantime, James’ story serves as a reminder of the resilience and passion of the musicians who continue to make art despite the obstacles. If you want to see change, James encourages you to show up, support local bands, and push for fairer conditions for everyone in the music scene.

Read more about James' story at:

https://www.spotahome.com/blog/interview-with-british-musician-james-jamp/

For the love of music,

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