Morat becomes first Latin American group on Movistar Arena Madrid wall
Ten sold-out nights at Movistar Arena Madrid put Colombian band Morat on a wall reserved for the biggest names in music. The band talks about its success.
Key points
- Morat sold out ten shows at Movistar Arena Madrid.
- According to EFE, it is the first Latin American group or solo artist on the venue's wall of commemorative plaques.
- The band marks fifteen years of career and celebrates the band format in Latin music.
- Upcoming dates include Mexico City and Monterrey.
Colombian pop band Morat has just hung its commemorative plaque on the wall at the entrance of Movistar Arena in Madrid, after completing ten sold-out shows at the venue. According to EFE, the Bogotá-based group is the first Latin American group or solo artist to appear on that wall, which is led by Spanish group El Barrio with 24 sell-outs, followed by Joaquín Sabina with 21.
In an interview with EFE in Madrid, band members expressed their surprise and gratitude. Bassist Simón Vargas said it is "very exciting" that a band of friends playing instruments on stage can be a reference for Spanish-language music, and stressed that "not all Spanish-language music is urban music."
Vargas recalled that for a long time, when people talked about Latin American music icons, they mostly thought of urban music. He said the group had long dreamed of standing out without being urban artists.
The band is currently on its "Ya es mañana world tour." Before its second-to-last concert in Spain, Morat had already played twice this month at Barcelona's Palau Sant Jordi and once at Valencia's Roig Arena. It also has sold-out dates in several cities, including Madrid on October 30 and 31, Mexico City on November 6, 7 and 8, and Monterrey on December 2 and 3.
Drummer Martín Vargas said he would love to have had the chance to work with The Beatles, a band the group admires greatly. Guitarist Juan Pablo Isaza said they are living this success "with great surprise and great gratitude," and admitted that, caught up in the routine of concerts and tours, they sometimes forget everything they have achieved.
Isaza noted that they are the only Latin group on that wall and that being next to artists of such stature makes them feel "a little older," since they now have a longer career.