Saturday evening, December 20, turned into a true musical sensation for Madrid. La Riviera welcomed an audience that has long followed the rise of Spain’s new wave of rock. Three bands rooted in the working-class neighborhood of San Blas — Alcalá Norte, Greenclass, and Los Amposta — took the stage together. Their joint performance was more than a concert; it became a manifesto of authenticity and loyalty to their roots.
In recent years, Alcalá Norte have become a real phenomenon. Although they have only one album so far, the band has sold out La Riviera three times in a row. This time, they not only played their hits but also paid tribute to those who inspired their musical journey. Greenclass and Los Amposta, groups that also grew up on the streets of San Blas and know the meaning of true friendship and support, joined them on stage.
The Origins of Greenclass
Greenclass was formed in the early 2000s at Obispo Perelló School, located between the neighborhoods of Quintana and La Concepción. Berto Herrero, the band’s frontman, recalls that Oasis was their main benchmark. The musicians embraced British rock so much that Berto was once mistaken for Liam Gallagher on the streets of London.
Their first success came when the song Who Is Who started getting radio airplay. Soon, a fan community grew around Greenclass, and at the legendary Independence parties, DJ Daniless noticed them and became their manager. It was during this period that a friendship was forged with the future members of Alcalá Norte. After one of these parties, Berto suggested they share a taxi to San Blas and refused to let them pay — a gesture that left a lasting impression and marked the beginning of a strong bond between musicians from different generations.
Greenclass guitarist Roberto Jiménez admits that returning to the stage after eight years without playing together was a very emotional experience. For him, it’s important that now San Blas is associated not only with crime stories from the 90s, but also with music.
The connecting link
A special role in this musical evening was played by René Sharrocks. Today, he’s known as the bassist for Depresión Sonora and a member of Dharmacide, and also plays in Alcalá Norte. But he began his career with Greenclass, stepping onto the stage for the first time at 17. This time, René performed with two different bands, highlighting that San Blas is becoming a new hub for young musicians.
Sharrocks notes that previously all the music scene revolved around the city center, but now more interesting projects are emerging in the outskirts. For him, it’s significant that San Blas is becoming the launching point for new bands that aren’t afraid to be themselves.
Los Amposta and the spirit of rock
Los Amposta is another band that grew up on the streets of San Blas. They’re distinguished by their authenticity and genuine passion for music. On stage, they look like true rockers: long hair, leather jackets, an electrifying presence. Their performance is steeped in classic Spanish rock influences with touches of Andalusian sound—especially when vocalist Fran Cerro joined them.
Los Amposta members call themselves ‘real San Blas guys,’ for whom honesty with themselves and their audience is paramount. It’s this authenticity and lack of pretense that keeps drawing new fans to them.
Alcalá Norte: new heroes
The headline act of the evening is Alcalá Norte. Despite their modest discography, the band has already become a symbol of Madrid’s new post-punk wave. Much of their success is linked to their ability to leverage social media: bassist Pablo Prieto launched the group’s Twitter account, which quickly gained popularity thanks to memes and witty posts.
Guitarist Carlos Elías, known as Doctor Music, until recently worked as a doctor at a Madrid clinic. He admits that for him, recognition from fellow musicians is more important than mass popularity. In the band, everyone stays true to themselves rather than conforming to industry standards.
Alcalá Norte has no unified style or image—each member is unique, and this is their greatest strength. They aren’t afraid to be different and openly say that success comes to those who dare to stand out.
Inspiration and legacy
Alcalá Norte vocalist Álvaro Rivas warmly credits Greenclass for inspiring him to pursue music. He recalls imitating Berto Herrero’s style and dreaming of performing on a big stage. Despite their growing fame, Rivas remains humble and believes real success belongs to those who know how to stay human.
The evening at La Riviera was not only a celebration for all involved, but also a symbol of passing the torch from one generation to the next. Greenclass, who inspired many young musicians, officially ended their journey with this concert. According to Berto Herrero, the decision was made to preserve their friendship and personal priorities.
The final note of the night sounded when Greenclass once again declared from the stage: “We are from San Blas.” They were followed by Los Amposta and, finally, Alcalá Norte, who are now rightfully considered the new heroes of the Madrid scene. Their energy and authenticity made this concert an event people will be talking about for a long time.
