‘We Have To Accept Ticket Prices, But Cannot Assume Everybody Can Afford Them’: Q’s With Daniela Bosé, MD, Palacio Vistalegre

Palacio Vistalegre was built in 2000 on the site of a former bullfighting arena known as “La Chata” – the Flat – due to its low ceiling. Today, the building with a maximum concert capacity of just under 15,000 is a rite of passage for local artists.

Its front has recently received a spectacular mural – the biggest in Spain at the time of writing: a muse playing the guitar.

Pollstar reached out to the building’s managing director Daniela Bosé, who talked about the ways in which the Palacio manages to thrive in a challenging Spanish economy.

Pollstar: What are the three most important questions, a venue operator in Spain needs to ask him or herself?
Do you just want to be a business – which is legitimate? Do you want to be part of the neighborhood? Do you want to be part of the culture and of the economic development of the city?.

We’ve decided to be careful and respectful with our neighbors. We, for example, don’t open the dome to avoid noise disturbances, and we generally limit our time schedules.

Our activity has a strong and positive impact on the surrounding shops, bars and restaurants, as well as audience travel by international visitors has a positive impact on hotels and the transportation sector.

We are the iconic building of the area, a symbol in the skyline of Madrid, and we have just changed the look of the façade. We are now an important exhibition of street art, but, more importantly, the new mural has been a gift to the city and to the visitors of the Capital of Spain.

Can you explain the unique shape of Palacio Vistalegre? What was it originally built for?
A long, long time ago it was a bullfighting arena known as “La Chata ” (the flat), due to its low height. It eventually got torn down, and in 2000 it was rebuilt as the current Palacio Vistalegre, a multi-purpose arena that has maintained the shape of an indoor coliseum.

How’s the 2025 calendar of events shaping up? How does it compare to 2024? Any events you’d like to highlight?
Fortunately, since the pandemic, we’ve had a sensational recovery of activities with a fab 2024 and even better 2025. At an international level I would like to highlight two sold out dates by Gracie Abrams, sold-out shows by Tate McRae, The Offspring, One Republic, Baby Metal, and Marilyn Manson, who last visited the arena 23 years ago!

What’s the ratio between international and domestic artists performing at Palacio Vistalegre, and has that changed in recent years?
I would say, 50% international acts and 50% local acts. The share has probably remained the same over the years. In terms of genre, there’s definitely been changes. At the local level, urban is very strong. It’s considered a rite of passage to “make a Vistalegre”, i.e. sell out the Palacio.

What challenges remain for the Spanish live sector, and what opportunities do you identify?
The cost of living in general is affecting all of us deeply. All citizens are impacted by the price increases on everything. If basic products such as olive oil or eggs have seen a stratospheric price increase, just like travel by car or by plane has, we have to accept that ticket prices will also increase. But we cannot assume that everybody will be able to pay them.

What other projects are you currently involved in?
We have a social ngo kitchen within our facilities. We all are very proud of that.

Anything you’d like to add?
Hosting a wide variety of events, artists, and activities is something that’s normal for us, but it’s definitively not for everybody. In one week, we may host a movie shoot Monday to Wednesday, a private congress on Thursday, an international metal act on Friday, a local rap act on Saturday, and stand up comedy on Sunday.

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