Bogota Music Venues – 3 Of The Best

July 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Bogota has some very cool music venues and bars.

There are A LOT of Bogota music venues and bars – of all sorts, for all tastes.  It’s a huge city.

Not sure what Los Bogotanos would say about that, but it’s all relative isn’t it? I live in a famous tourist destination yet I have very few venues available to me, and not one of them I would describe as cool, or grungey, or even having much character. None of them I know I can always go to for a good dance.  I love the night life options in Bogota.

A few Bogota music venues I’ve found on this trip deserve mention.

1. LATINO POWER BAR

Latino Power Bar is Numero Uno on the list.

It deserves to be. I am told it is one of a small handful of venues in Bogota which is really supportive of original, live music. I think you can find bands playing almost every night it’s open.

Latino Power Bar - Supporting Original Live Music in Bogota - Beaver on the Beats

On top of the live music, Latino Power has super friendly and relaxed staff, great DJs, lots of character, some grunge (which I love in a bar), good priced drinks, and great vibes all round.

I’m super happy I found this place (thanks Ariana!), and I will keep going back there as much as possible to see what musical delights and friendly people I can find.

Calle 58 # 13 -88

2. A SEIS MANOS RESTAURANT & CULTURAL SPACE

Lucky for me A Seis Manos is my local whilst in Bogota – and it’s open day and night.

A Seis Manos is a hidden sanctuary amongst the chaos of El Centro, and I never would have found it on my own (thanks Sergio!).

I keep going back there because it has really yummy food, including vegetarian fare.

As well as great food, A Seis Manos is an awesome open, light space with lots of character and lots of art of all types to look at.

Even better than the space, are the lovely, friendly staff, and the relaxed and friendly good vibes of the place.

There are arts events happening all the time at A Seis Manos – live music, DJ´s, visual arts exhibitions and films.

I love this place!

Calle 22 # 8-60

3. LATORA 4 BRAZOS

I have only been to Latora 4 Brazos once – and it’s all about the context isn’t it? That one experience was special, but I can’t say what the vibe of this place is like on other nights.

I’m told Latora 4 Brazos is purely an electronic music venue, so I doubt I’ll get back there much (unless Mitu play there again!).

I mention it because I was so impressed with the venue space itself. It is absolutely beautiful. There are so many different adjoining spaces/rooms to enjoy on two levels (each with its own dance floor and own separate acts) – and each space is full of character and ambience.

I guess I wish the venue housed more, or different types of music. Lucky you are if you’re really into techno and house music.

Carrera 8 # 40-18

Big cities like Bogota do have their cultural benefits don’t they. If you’re in Bogota and want to find great venues supporting live music, get yourself to Latino Power, A Seis Manos and Latora 4 Brazos.

Filed Under: A Seis Manos, Colombia, Latino Power, Latora 4 Brazos Tagged With: , , , ,

Mitú – An Entrancing Electronic Music Experience

July 14, 2013 by

Last night in Bogota I had an absolutely unforgettable and entrancing musical experience. A most surprising and unexpected one: Mitú.

I had no idea what the gig was. I only went to see some friends before I leave Bogota.

What I found even before the main act was awesome – one of the coolest venues I’ve been to in terms of character, style and set-up (Latora 4 Brazos), and two female DJs (an all too rare find no?).

When the main act did start, Mitú, I discovered it was fast and intense electronic music – ‘jungle techno’. One percussionist, Franklin Tejedor. One guy in charge of the electronics, with lots of cords and machines –  Julian Salazar– also the guitarist with successful Colombian fusion band Bomba Estereo.

Mitu @ Latora 4 Brazos - Beaver on the Beats

While my friends joined the dancing crowd, I completely switched off, as I usually do when it comes to techno music. At best, I generally find it tedious, and my body just doesn’t want to move to it.

Fascinated by the beautiful venue I wandered away from the music and through the different venue spaces, playing with my camera, and hoping my friends would surface from the crowd soon so I could say goodbye and go home.

When I went back to the crowd, some people had left and I was able to find a space to engage with the Mitú music, and see and hear what was actually happening.

Dios miya! What was happening was really incredible. Two guys having an awesome time on the stage, so much into the music they were playing it was inspiring.

The high quality electronic sounds coming out of those machines were so varied and interesting, with flavours of cumbia and meringue and I don’t know what else!

Mitu @ Latora 4 Brazos - Beaver on the Beats

Mitu @ Latora 4 Brazos - Beaver on the Beats

Mitú’s percussionist, and at times vocalist (in Palenque language), playing Colombian tribal rhythms, was incredible. The quality of musicianship was beyond words. 

Within minutes of engagement, I found myself smiling from ear to ear, jaw to the ground in awe of the music and musicianship, and totally and utterly entranced. Right until the end.

Mitú is the first techno experience of my life that has moved me. A stellar performance, incredible stamina (judging by the time I got home, they must have played for 2 hours), ridiculously talented musicians and really interesting, awesome and yes, entrancing music.

Absolutely spectacular.

Given my general aversion to techno, I’m not sure if I would go as far as to buy the Mitú CD (‘Potro’), but if you’re into electronic music I would definitely find it.  If you ever get the chance to experience Mitú live, go!  I will in a heart beat  if I get another chance.

Filed Under: Colombia, Colombia, Latora 4 Brazos, Mitú Tagged With: , , , ,