Not really clubbing, but couldn't find a better section
 

Hey guys, I'm Chris if you haven't met me elsewhere on the site. I will be heading to Spain, France, Germany, and Switzerland for a month this summer starting June 10th.

I was wondering if anybody had any tips for finding small music venues in some of the cities I will be visiting. My tastes in music include indie rock, folk, blues, etc. Some examples of some bands that I like include Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, The Decemberists, The Libertines, The Shins, Wilco, etc. Hopefully this will give you an idea of the type of music I'm looking for.

1.) Do you know of any newspapers/publications that I should keep my eyes out for in Barcelona, Paris, Munich that would list shows (I'm looking for smaller shows, not huge concerts)

2.) What is "indie" music typically called in Spanish, French, German?

3.) Are there certain areas in some of the cities I listed above that have this type of music scene?

Thanks guys! Just figured I'd ask to see if you guys had any tips on how to find local shows in major cities.

In most cities I have been to (mind you, all North American), there are usually free newspapers available. Usually they are of the socially progressive/arts type that are freely distributed at stands at schools/bus stops/pharmacies/etc. In Canada, it is called Exclaim! magazine, in my home city of Saskatoon, it is 'Planet S'.

Just keep your eyes peeled for such publications!
Just an idea. You could also try Myspace.

Awesome, I'll keep my eyes out for free publications in the cities that I visit. We've got a paper like that here in Charlotte, but I figured it might be harder to read/find if I don't read the language. I'm currently checking some stuff out on myspace and that seems to work. hah, I hate myspace so much, but it is good for finding some sweet music.

Ah I love Arctic and Libertines(old). To bad the Babyshambles never tour the U.S. :(.

Yeah check local papers, those are the best. The one in NYC was amazing(can't remember what it was called). Found that Dr. Dog was playing and got a ticket half the price of face.

Nice, I saw Dr. Dog play with the Racounteurs and they were awesome. I like some of the Babyshambles stuff, but Pete Doherty just keeps getting in trouble with the law and even if he could get over here (I remember Amy Winehouse getting denied a visa or something like that for some awards show), he'd probably miss or cancel the show. Dirty Pretty Things is the other half of the Libertine's split and they're pretty good. If you like Arctic Monkeys, check out Milburn. They come from the same area (Sheffield) and some people say the Arctic Monkeys got a lot of their sound from them.

The last shadow puppets are pretty decent from what I've heard of them. Haven't gotten their full EP though.

Also as an absolute musical nut (with similar tastes I might add), I am going to suggest a few more artists for you to check out that you may like (based on your tastes):

the Weakerthans (canadian!!)
Uncut (canadian!!)
Tokyo Police Club (canadian!!)

Kashmir
We are scientists
The Rapture
I love you but have Chosen Darkness
...And you will know us by the trail of dead
Interpol
The Bravery
The Strokes
The Stills

I dunno, check'em if you are bored - maybe they are playing in Europe this summer ;)

Thanks for the tips, what's your name by the way?

I've heard good things about Tokyo Police Club, so I'll have to check them out. I've heard a little bit by We are scientists too and I've liked what I heard. I'm always on the look out for new music, so thanks for the tips.

snowball1982, I checked out that virtualtourist site that you listed in another post and it has a live music section. I was looking at Barcelona's and there's a venue listed that is supposed to be cool for indie/rock bands. This seems like it would be helpful just in case the local papers don't have much.

Ah yeah right, thanks for the tip - I forgot about good old virtual tourist!
Finding indie-rock outside of the USA or Commonwealth could probably be a dicey proposition at best! Hopefully I can hit up some shows while I am abroad as well! I can't imagine trying to ask for indie or indie-rock in another language... they might take it as meaning 'indiginous' or something like that haha.

ok this is not anything specific...but ask locals! ask hostel reception and check out couchsurfing. there are alot of members in the bigger cities and even if you don't surf their couch many people are willing to meet up and i'd bet if you post this topic in each city's group that you're visiting you'd get at least some response

Thanks Lizz, I was looking on couchsurfing and saw a group for Indie music. Someone posted this link and it looks pretty cool.

http://www.howdoesitfeel.co.uk/indieindex.html

It's called the Indie Travel Guide.

For Barcelona, you can check out events from buxcata.com

You should check out El Junco in Spain. They have blues and jazz.

Or Jamboree is good too. You could also check out timeout.com for live gigs.