Bikini is one of the larger live music venues in Barcelona, and has accordingly played host to some of the bigger musical acts to visit the city in recent years. Past gigs have included performances by Fela Kuti, Marianne Faithful, Talib Kweli, De La Soul and The Roots.

The place is cavernous, built primarily for the purpose of acoustics, and resonates with excellent sound. Bikini’s impeccable design is blamed by some for a lack of atmosphere when compared to more idiosyncratic venues, such as Razzmatazz or Sala Apolo. Though there is an element of truth to this, the right act transforms the space’s atmosphere and sets its respective mood.

After the show, the post-gig energy need not fizzle out on the long walk home. Bikini has an equally large club space in the same building, where DJs can be found playing hip-hop, funk, electro and much more, often in connection with that night’s performance.