ANTI-KARAOKE in BARCELONA:
Every Monday from 10 pm - 1 am Sidecar Club -- Plaza Reial 7, BCN
Photo: Jorge Alvariño
“The invention of the moment is Anti-Karaoke, a hilarious way to dignify the art of singing the greatest hits while your friends split in two from laughter.” - 40 Principales
Anti-Karaoke® is a fusion between a rock concert, a Broadway musical, and a crazy house party. Created by the North American comic Rachel Arieff, Anti-Karaoke takes place every Monday in Barcelona and the last Wednesday of the month in Madrid.
Oh yeah, it's also a karaoke. A karaoke like no other, where the participants literally turn into rock stars and, over the course of 3 hours, create an exciting show where no two nights are ever the same. Indeed, dear friends, Anti-Karaoke is an effective antidote to the dreary karaoke rooms that plague humanity like Celine Dion's repertoire.
In contrast to typical karaokes, Anti-Karaoke offers sound quality equal to that of a live concert, a repertoire of more than 500 of the greatest songs from the history of rock and pop (all versions in English and sonically faithful to the originals), a table full of costumes onstage to enable spur-of-the-moment transformations, and 100% rock-n-roll attitude.
During the two-and-a-half years of its existence in Barcelona and Madrid, Anti-Karaoke has become one of the most intense party nights in all of Spain. Each night a community of 300-600 curious and creative people turn out -- all drawn by the friendly, participatory atmosphere of the show.
Anti-Karaoke is definitely an alternative to the typical nightlife of cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where the options are confined to discotheques, bars, and concerts.
Foto: Jorge Alvariño
In a single night at Anti-Karaoke, it's not uncommon to see spectacular performers rocking hard...
...and encourages the audience to let loose and express themselves onstage.
Photo: Jorge Alvariño
In Anti-Karaoke, there is no room for shame or self-consciousness.
The show is never about good or bad singing, looking cool (or not), or judging people. It's about having fun with the music you love, no matter what side of the stage you end up on.
What's important is not aptitude, but attitude.
The philosophy of Anti-Karaoke is that the stage is a mirror of real life. In Anti-Karaoke, as in life, we must "rock with available materials". In other words, we must do our best with what we have. We may not be rich or beautiful or possess a great voice. But if we're willing to take risks and make a sincere effort in spite of our fears, extraordinary things can happen.
The truth is, Anti-Karaoke is a show where the audience often ends up singing just as much as those onstage.
The weekend begins on Monday!
Video: Eldelasfotos
Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 24-5-2007)
When and where does Anti-Karaokehappen?
BARCELONA::
Every Monday at 10:00 pm. It ends promptly at 1:00am, after which begins the DJ rock session Rrrocky Mondays. Stay for both!
It happens at the Sidecar Club, conveniently located in the Plaza Reial, right off the lower part of the Ramblas. Complete address: 7 Plaza Reial (it's in one of the corners, you'll see it). Need a map? Here you go.
MADRID:
In Madrid, the last Wednesday of every month: May 28, June 25, & July 16 (July falls a week early 'cause the club closes for summer vacation).
At Sidecar (Barcelona), 7 euros, free drink included.
At El Sol (Madrid), 7 euros.
Hang around for post-Anti-Karaoke DJ sessions at both clubs at no extra charge. Stay all night, rock til you drop!
Can I reserve a ticket for the Anti-Karaoke?
Sorry, no reservations are available for these events. The show is on a first come, first serve basis, so make sure you get in by showing up early (starting time, 10 pm).
What is the sound system like at Anti-Karaoke?
Since it's at a rock club that actually gives a shit about how things sound and has invested in quality equipment, Anti-Karaoke sounds fantastic! When people sing, it sounds like a real rock concert. Plus, we've been careful to select high-quality song versions that sound like the originals. None of those crappy midi versions that are all too typical in karaokes. But don't take our word for it. Watch the videos.
Are these Spanish songs?
Nope, all the songs are in English, except for La Bamba. Of course, you can sing in any language you want, what do we care?
How many songs do you have?
We have over 500 high-quality versions of songs to choose from! From Guns N Roses to Depeche Mode, to Janis Joplin to Prince, to Queen and AC/DC to MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice, from Stevie Wonder to Frank Sinatra, from Bowie to The Weather Girls!
I wanna see a list of the songs!
Great! Click here for the complete list, along with many videos.
Okay, I've seen the song list. But why don't you have [insert title of any song that's not on the Anti-Karaoke song list]?
There are many reasons why we don't offer certain songs. Maybe we hate the song you're talking about (sorry, no offense). Maybe we don't hate it, but it doesn't go well with the vibe of the show. Or maybe we just can't find a good version of the song. There are many songs we'd love to offer at Anti-Karaoke, but we haven't been able to include them because we can't find decent-sounding karaoke versions. Our rule is, if it doesn't sound good, f*ck it. We cannot bear crap versions of our favorite songs.
Why the hell do you use a music stand with printed lyrics instead of TV's like every other karaoke?
'Cause we don't need TeeVees. TeeVees hypnotize people and they end up singing to the damn TeeVee instead of the audience of 300-600 people right in front of their faces. We live in a TeeVee-dominated world and we have declared Anti-Karaoke a Tee-Vee-free zone. And the truth is, the show's much better without 'em. We sing our favorite songs by reading the lyrics printed on paper from a music stand... just like Mozart, Picasso and Napoleon used to when they did karaoke. Punk rock!
Can I wear a costume?
You are enthusiastically encouraged to dress up for Anti-Karaoke -- as your favorite rock star, your 5th grade math teacher, the Pope, a pimp, a gimp, whatever. In addition, onstage you will find wigs, hats, and various accoutrements for spontaneous costuming on stage.
Is there a host?
Yes, she's the creator of Anti-Karaoke, Rachel Arieff.
How do I sign up?
Just show up, fill out one of the forms on the table with your name and the song you wanna sing, and give it to our dear maestro in the sound booth. Rinse and repeat.
Is there food?
The clubs don't serve food, but right outside you'll find lots of bars, restaurants and take-out joints at reasonable prices.
I still have unanswered questions, dammit.
Email Rachel the Anti-Karaokeatrix at
ANTI-KARAOKE in MADRID: The last Wednesday of every month (except July):
Wednesday June 25
Wednesday July 16
22 - 1 h. El Sol, C/ Jardines 3, Madrid
Exciting News!
Don't miss the next AK-Madrid Wednesday June 16th!
El Sol club
Jardines 7, Madrid
AK on TV3's"Entrelinies". Rachel, DanGlam, Rocko/Bib + more!
The Bathroom Wall: the inside shit debuts today in the AK blog. Read the behind-the-scenes stories about Anti-Karaoke and its participants! Written by our official AK historian, Dyk Tornado.
"Arieff, who's been visited by groups such asThe Cult and L.A. Guns, hopes that her next special guest will be Carmen de Mairena, with whom she shared a taxi."
- El Mundo, 16 February 2007.
Excellent fotos by Dani El Fotógrafo! Click on the fotos to see them queen-sized -- the proper way to view Miss Carmen! View gallery of the evening.
Thanks Carmen for coming to A-K!
Purchase your official Anti-Karaoke T-shirt to wear to your crappy job! On sale every Monday at Sidecar during the show for 10 €. Being hung over at work was never so much fun!
Click on the image for more info. Supermodel: Fosy of The Cancerberos
Fun video of Rachel singing New York,
New York
and pouring
Jack Daniels into people's mouths!
Photo: Jorge Alvariño
Foto: Jorge Alvariño
Photo: Jorge Alvariño
Rachel says: 
Fun video of Rachel singing New York,