My Hometown: Alt-Rock Band HEAL Breakdown The Barcelona That Shaped Them – & The Spots You Need To Know

Listening to Catalan alt-rock band HEAL conjures images of riding in an open-top car, hair whipping in the wind, and your mind completely in the feels. Built in Barcelona – so much so that their first EP was titled BCN Breakdowns, the four-piece band’s sound is deeply shaped by the city they call home.

“When I moved at 18 to the city from the countryside, in Empordà, I was living through this exciting new era – feeling young and full of energy, discovering so many new things,” says lead singer Laia Vehí. “And it was the same for the rest of the band, Dani (guitar) grew up in Gran Canaria – ocean views, surfing, friends and skating. Raúl (drums) is from Valencia, and Edu (bass) is from Manresa. Aside from the wild memories of our twenties, I realised having the ocean and the mountains around me gave me this newfound creativity I hadn’t had before – I need that space to breathe and be inspired.”

HEAL began making music together in 2021, shortly after the pandemic, and released their debut singles in 2023, Not A Big Deal and The End. “That’s when everything started to click in terms of our sound,” says Laia. Alongside their music careers, the band members juggle day jobs in various industries, coming together in the evenings and on weekends to rehearse and perform. All of it led to the release of their debut album The Shiver at the end of last year: “The Shiver is about those moments when you feel lost – overwhelmed by life’s emotions during a period of change – for us it’s about the transition into our thirties – and suddenly, you get that shiver,” she explains. 

Right now, their focus is on a major hometown moment: performing at this year’s Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, curated by the band’s label. HEAL was born – and has been nurtured – in this city, through countless gigs, late nights, and the support of creative spaces like Fabra i Coats, a public arts residency that provides them with a free studio. “We’re on at Primavera at 4:35pm on Friday, which for us Spanish is very early, but we’re so excited. We can’t wait to see who shows up!”

To get a sense of HEAL’s Barcelona, we asked lead singer Laia Vehí to breakdown the band’s version of the city: the places they hang out, drink good wine, share long conversations and hit the dance floors – uninhibited and full of joy. Discover their hometown below...

A HOTEL WORTH CHECKING-IN TO IS...

Mercer... It’s a boutique hotel in the Gothic quarter, which is elegant and artistic, but also feels fresh. All the paintings in the hotel are by Agustí Puig, who painted the paintings used in the film Vicky Cristina Barcelona by the actor Javier Bardem! Another highlight is that they have an incredible restaurant, which you can visit even if you’re not a guest at the hotel, with a really impressive chef that makes interesting dishes with fresh Catalan produce.

OUR FAVOURITE LOCAL BAR IS...

BAR ROSO aka El Toro on Calle San Gil. It’s probably one of our favourite local bars in Barcelona and it’s where we all go. They are great people – you should try their “ensaladilla rusa” and homemade vermouth.

YOU’LL ALSO FIND US DRINKING AT...

Masa Vins... For natural wines and seasonal bites, it’s a cool place to be while in the Poblenou area. The music is played entirely from vinyl and their curation is really good.

Bar Monaco...The ultimate symbol of Spanish decline! It’s on Carrer de Pallars and the owner, a very old man, will never offer you a smile. The moment he does, the bar will close. Go for the experience, though.

Ultra-Local Records... Round the corner from Bar Monaco, just pop by and say hi to Raül, talk to him about music and the local music scene, hear his recommendations and buy a record or two.

Reial Societat de Tennis Pompeia...Near Jardins de Joan Maragall. Established in 1908, this historic tennis club is a great place to relax and hang out with friends. Just chill by the terrace, having a drink or a meal while watching some tennis.

WE RECENTLY HAD A GREAT MEAL AT...

Bandini’s and it’s a new favourite, with a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, great cocktails and sharing plates.

IF YOU CAN’T GET A TABLE THERE, HEAD TO...

La Pubilla del Taulat...It was established in 1886, in the Sant Martí area, closed during the pandemic but then reopened earlier this year. A proper old-school “vermuteria” in Poblenou’s heart.

Mian Dao...This hidden gem on Carrer de Bolivia offers the best homemade Chinese noodles. Don’t tell too many people about this place 😉

Colmado Wilmot... For simply delicious tapas, great produce and beautiful preparation, you can’t go wrong with this one on Carrer de Calvet. Ten minutes walk away is another tapas option called Monocrom, which is more seasonal and has an amazing wine selection.

FOR A LIGHT LUNCH, HEAD OVER TO...

Casa Mari i Rufo, which is right next to the market of Santa Caterina. Each piece of produce is handpicked by Rufo, himself, daily. Or there’s Bar Torpedo, in the L’Eixample area, which has a small menu of very tasty sandwiches and tapas. Then, not far from there you’ll find Le Cucine Mandarosso on Carrer Verdaguer, which is the best Italian in town in our opinion!

AND IF YOU WANT SOMETHING EVEN MORE TRADITIONAL, CHECK OUT...

Colmado Múrria...This modernist establishment from 1898, on Carrer de Roger de Llúria in Barcelona’s Eixample district, specialises in amazing Catalan cuisine. They also have a charcuterie and a grocery store to buy some of the food and wine you enjoyed the most.

Quimet & Quimet... Is such a special tiny bodega, on Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, with delicious traditional Spanish food.

WHEN YOU’RE READY TO PARTY, YOU SHOULD...

Follow Ojalá Estë Mi Bici on Instagram, and go watch their shows – they are a real underground music promoter of the past 15 years and help keep the scene alive.

OTHER FUN VENUES WE LOVE ARE...

Sala Upload... For great international and national concerts, and club nights, primarily Psychedelic, Punk, Rock and Indie Rock, right by the tennis club we mentioned earlier.

Sala Vol... In Sant Martí, they promote and support local and national artists alike – you can’t go wrong at any show in VOL.

Laut Club... In El Poble-Sec, the sound and light equipment here is amazing, and electronic music is usually well-curated, and sounds and looks great.

El Pumarejo... Is an artistic association, located in L’Hospitalet, and has been supporting local artists for years – please support them, they need it!

Meteoro... If you want to watch good punk, industrial or dark wave concerts, this is your place, and it’s a five-minute walk from Laut!

Apolo... A Barcelona classic (which Laia spent a lot of time at during her twenties), it’s made up of several venues, with excellent shows from all kinds of genres. Take a look at their schedule, you’ll definitely find something you like!