Tribute concerts: what they are, why they fill venues and how to pick a good one

Tribute concerts fill venues all over Spain. They have songs everyone knows, tickets at reasonable prices and the chance to hear up close bands that no longer play, rarely play or only fill stadiums. For many people they are also the best night out with friends to sing along without inhibitions.

This guide covers what a tribute is, how it differs from a covers band, why tributes work so well, what makes a good one and why they are best enjoyed in a club venue.

The essentials in 30 seconds

• A tribute act recreates the repertoire, sound and often the look of a specific artist.
• A covers band plays songs by many artists, in its own way.
• They sell out thanks to nostalgia, price and closeness.
• A good tribute shows in the voice, the band's sound and respect for the repertoire.
• In a club venue you see, hear and sing better than in an arena.

What a tribute concert is

A tribute act is a band devoted to a single artist or group: it plays their repertoire, tries to recreate their sound and, in many cases, their image and staging. It does not claim to be the original, but to bring their songs back to life on stage.

Tribute act vs covers band

• Tribute: one artist, faithful to the original, a full set of their hits.
• Covers band: many artists, each song in its own style, designed to get a party going.
• Orchestras: a format of their own, with a broad repertoire and a show, closely linked to local festivities.

Why tributes fill venues

• Nostalgia: songs from the 80s, 90s and 2000s are the soundtrack of many lives.
• Bands that no longer play: split up, retired or gone. A tribute is the only way to hear them live.
• Price: far more affordable than a big artist's tour.
• Closeness: the stage a few metres away, not a giant screen.
• A group plan: everyone knows the songs and sings from start to finish.
• No surprises: you get the hits, not the new album.

What makes a good tribute

• The voice: no need to imitate, but respecting the tone and singing style.
• The band's sound: instruments and arrangements faithful to the original.
• The setlist: the hits the audience expects, in an order that keeps the energy up.
• The staging: lighting, image and recognisable moments from the original shows.
• Respect: a good tribute honours, it does not caricature.
• Track record: the best have toured for years and have their own following.

Why it is better in a club venue

• You can see: no binoculars or screens, just metres from the stage.
• You can hear: a venue's sound is designed for live music.
• You share it: an audience of hundreds, not tens of thousands, creates a bond.
• It is easier: get in, grab a drink, get out and go home without hours of queues.
• It is cheaper: without the costs of a big arena.

Big arenas have their magic for current artists; for a tribute, a club venue is almost always the best place.

How to enjoy a tribute concert

• Go with your group and brush up on the songs first.
• Arrive early to be near the stage.
• Eat near the venue first and leave the night open. Here is how to plan before and after a concert.

Tribute acts in La Gran Sala at Palau Alameda

La Gran Sala at Palau Alameda, on Paseo de la Alameda, programmes tribute acts, orchestras and touring artists throughout the year. Its programme includes tributes to bands such as El Canto del Loco and Pereza or Fito & Fitipaldis, and orchestras with decades on the road in the Valencia region. Upcoming dates and tickets are in our concert agenda.

Before the concert you can have dinner at Àtic, the panoramic restaurant, and afterwards carry on on the terrace or at Azza, without leaving the building. And if you love 90s and 2000s music, see also remember parties in Valencia.

Frequently asked questions

What is a tribute concert?

A concert by a band devoted to a single artist or group, playing their repertoire and trying to recreate their sound and often their look, as a homage.

What is the difference between a tribute act and a covers band?

A tribute act is devoted to one artist and aims to be faithful to the original; a covers band plays songs by many artists in its own way, designed to get a party going.

Why are tribute acts so successful?

Because of nostalgia, because they let you hear bands that no longer play, because of the price, the closeness to the stage and because everyone knows the songs.

How do you know if a tribute act is good?

By the voice, the band's sound, a setlist of the big hits, careful staging, respect for the original and their touring track record.

Where can you see tribute acts in Valencia?

At concert venues such as La Gran Sala at Palau Alameda, which programmes tributes and orchestras throughout the year. Dates are published in its concert agenda.

Is it better to see a concert at a venue or in a stadium?

For a tribute, almost always at a venue: you see and hear better, you are closer to the stage and it is easier and cheaper.