Olvido

Pure love of rock at Sala Olvido: HANG OUT come of age and close an emotional chapter

On 6 March, Sala Olvido became the epicentre of a night when the music was felt right in the gut. A perfect evening that showed exactly why some gigs transcend the ordinary to become pure magic on stage.

Buena Pregunta: veteran know-how, pop and energy intact

The evening kicked off with Buena Pregunta, a pop band whose story goes back to the 90s. After a long break in the early 2000s, the group have returned to the stage proving that real talent doesn't age: they've kept the power and energy of their early days intact, mixing their own songs with the odd legendary cover that won the crowd over from the first chord.

HANG OUT unleash the storm: chemistry and mayhem

With the room warmed up, it was HANG OUT's turn to storm the stage. It was plain to see the huge chemistry that has been stitching the musicians together gig after gig: knowing glances, swapping spots on stage and an unleashed Pablo jumping off the stage to get up close and delight a crowd that was on board from the very first song.

The band ran through a set built in two flawless acts and some heart-stopping encores.

Act I: from the opening energy of Blitzkrieg Bop and Pongamos que hablo de Madrid, through the grit of Smells Like Teen Spirit, You Give Love a Bad Name, Vicio and Rockin’ in the Free World, to the tension of Te visitará la muerte, Agotados de esperar el fin and Rock You Like a Hurricane.

Act II: kicking off with the atmosphere of Frío (with Borja's intro), followed by the sheer force of Enter Sandman, Dolores se llamaba Lola and T.N.T.

Encore: a triumphant final stretch with an electrifying version of Sweet Child O’ Mine, the streetwise poetry of Ama, ama, ama y ensancha el alma, the power of En blanco y negro, the energy of Flojos de pantalón and a crushing finale with Whole Lotta Rosie.

This gig also carried a very special meaning: it was Rick's last as stand-in bassist, proudly closing his temporary spell with the band just before the long-awaited return of Jhony, who was coming back to reclaim his spot on bass. Rick bowed out in style, laying down a colossal rhythm section alongside Jorge's drums and the guitars of Borja and Pedro.

«For the love of music»

Such was the communion, the honesty and the overflowing passion in the air throughout the gig that a seasoned judge of live shows who was in the crowd summed up the night with a killer line that captures the band's spirit: «These are the gigs I like — the ones played for the love of music».

An unforgettable night at Sala Olvido that proves once again that when rock is played from the soul, the echo rings out far beyond the speakers.