Madrid is expanding its music ecosystem with the launch of Radar Madrid, a new international music market designed to enhance the global visibility of Spanish talent. The initiative, led by Charco in collaboration with the Regional Government of Madrid, seeks to reinforce the international positioning of national artists while consolidating the city as a strategic hub within both the Ibero-American and European music industries.
The inaugural edition will take place on October 19, 20 and 21 at the Movistar Arena, bringing together more than fifty international professionals from Europe, Ibero-America, Asia and Canada. The United States will be the guest country for this first edition, underlining the event’s global outlook.
Open Call for Showcases and International Exposure
Alongside its official announcement, Radar Madrid has opened its call for artists to participate in its showcase program, which will be held at La Sala within the Movistar Arena. The platform is designed to offer national acts a valuable opportunity to present their music live to an audience of key international industry stakeholders. Applications are now open via the event’s official website.
Three Days Focused on Live and Songwriting Business
The event is structured around a program aimed at fostering professional exchange and creating tangible opportunities for international growth. Over three days, Radar Madrid will focus on the live music and songwriting sectors, with the goal of facilitating access to international circuits, increasing festival presence, expanding audiences and opening up synchronization opportunities beyond the Spanish market.
The agenda will feature panels, listening sessions, speed meetings, workshops and networking spaces, alongside showcases from Spanish artists. Participants will include music supervisors, promoters, booking agents and festival representatives, creating an environment tailored to direct engagement between talent and market players.
Institutional Backing and Official Presentation
The project was officially unveiled at Teatro Albéniz during an institutional event attended by the Regional Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sport of the Community of Madrid, Mariano de Paco Serrano, and Miguel Ángel Garrido, director of Charco and Radar Madrid. The presentation was hosted by Javier Lorbada and included a live performance by Carmen Lancho.
During his speech, the regional minister highlighted the role of the Community of Madrid as a driving force in the music industry, emphasizing its economic, cultural and tourism impact. He also described Radar Madrid as a key initiative to enhance the visibility of Spanish talent and establish a flagship event within the industry calendar.
Miguel Ángel Garrido stressed that Radar Madrid is designed with artists at its core, noting that “Spanish-language music is experiencing an unprecedented moment, with international festivals now featuring Spanish-speaking headliners where they were once considered niche.” He also underscored Madrid’s central role in the global Spanish-language music industry, pointing out that “artists pass through the city to record or close deals, and key industry decisions are made here.”
Driving International Growth in the Music Sector
Radar Madrid is positioned as a platform to strengthen connections between markets, generate new business opportunities and contribute to the structural development of the music industry. The initiative reinforces the joint commitment of Charco and the Regional Government of Madrid to create spaces that support the international circulation of talent and establish Madrid as a global music hub.
Photo: Radar Madrid