A few days ago we heard the news about the proposal launched by a well-known advertising agency to ask the Madrid City Council to erect a personalized and commemorative billboard for the 'heavies of Gran Vía'. These two iconic brothers are known for spending most of their time, for years, stationed in the aforementioned Madrid street in front of what is now a fashion store of the company Inditex. 

But it hasn't always been like that. That place, before being occupied by shelves full of clothes, housed one of the greatest temples of music in Madrid (and, if I dare say it, in all of Spain), Madrid Rock. Until 2005, number 25 Gran Vía contained 1,500 square meters crammed with thousands of vinyl records, CDs and even cassettes of countless bands, as well as T-shirts, posters and many other merchandising items. 

It was, then, a place of daily pilgrimage for young and old music lovers. And the 'heavies of Gran Vía' spent their days in front of its door, a routine that at that time made a little more sense.

Nostalgia aside, fortunately there are still a worthy number of stores in Madrid where physical music lovers can purchase albums by their favorite artists and discover new releases and rarities. And of course, in them you can find the works of the artists who are part of the lineup of the 2018 edition of Noches del Botánico.

Below we review ten of these havens for music lovers. We are sure we have left some stores behind, so if you know of any that have been left out, please let us know in our social networks.

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Escridiscos (c/ Navas de Tolosa, 4)

It is one of the oldest in the city. Its doors have been open since 1977 and has become a reference both when it comes to buying records and physical tickets for concerts. A meeting point for collectors and music lovers, it covers a wide range of genres from hard rock to power-pop and soul.

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Cuervo Store (c/ Velarde, 13)

Specializing in vinyl, this store located in the heart of the Malasaña neighborhood also has a wide range of music and culture books, as well as clothing. With a very rock and roll spirit, it hides in its entrails a recording studio and is the core of activity of an independent group of music agencies.

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La Metralleta ( c/ Postigo de San Martín, 1)

Another of Madrid's mythical spaces. Hidden in the parking lot of the Plaza de las Descalzas, this store houses a huge variety of musical styles as diverse as jazz, classical, flamenco, pop, French chanson or ska. It has been in operation for more than 30 years and has its origins in a stall in El Rastro.

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Discos Killer's (c/ Montera, 28)

This is one of the most central establishments in the city, located a few meters from Sol. They claim to specialize in rock from the 60's, but also find rare copies of other types of rock, jazz, blues, heavy... In addition, in this small but well used store they offer a huge collection of merchandising.

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Café Molar (c/ Ruda, 19)

This multidisciplinary café has an interesting back room where books and vinyls are stored, as well as a first floor where concerts and exhibitions are organized indistinctly. Its collection of records for sale, although small, hides a great quality, mainly focused on alternative music.

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Delia Store (c/ Delicias, 19)

The underground is the soul of Delia, physical headquarters of the record label Delia Records. Located near Atocha, in the few four years it has been in operation it has become a reference for lovers of the most underground music. On the top floor, CDs and vinyls share space with vintage clothing and accessories.

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Radio City (c/ Conde Duque, 14)

Another small store with a space that they have managed to make the most of, combining jewels and rarities as well as classic records. Specializing in vinyl, it was founded in 2005 with the idea of transferring the passion of its founder for independent labels, reissues and even second hand records. 

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La Gramola (c/ Postigo de San Martín, 4)

Very close to La Metralleta stands La Gramola, known for catching the attention of passers-by with good bargains displayed on the street, next to the door. The musical variety is immense and is accompanied by an extensive range of merchandising ranging from T-shirts to posters.

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Bajoelvolcán (c/ Ave María, 42)

This store is proof that in the midst of a crisis, windows of opportunity sometimes open. Culture gained a new place when Bajoel Volcán was born, conceived as "an extension of the living room" of its owner's house. On the shelves of this room we find books and records, both new and used, of all kinds of styles and periods.

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Discos Babel (c/ Costanilla de los Ángeles, 5)

Also in the heart of the city, from the small corner that constitutes Discos Babel they deliver us all kinds of music since 2002. Vinyls, cds, books... new and second hand... the variety of what you can find in this store is wide, especially if you are looking for styles like garage, progressive, hard rock or bossa.

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By María R. Ciges