Yesterday one of the most anticipated music events took place in Bogotá—Iron Maiden and a musical history of more than three decades satisfied more than 40,000 enthusiastic fans.

I believe music is one of the most recognized and beloved arts and a big element of culture everywhere, and Bogotá is no exception. From the beats of electronic music inside a downtown disco to the noisy honking of rush hour on Carrera Séptima and from a trio playing Andean tunes during a sunny “Ciclo Vía” Sunday to the sound of hail battering a tin roof, the music and sounds in the Colombian capital are always present.

Yearlong, the city plays host to concerts almost every other week, myriad music festivals, international DJs, and casual live musical sets. Besides catching local bands in various rock, tropical, or crossover bars and discos, Bogotá is where the annual “Rock al Parque” (Rock at the Park) has been drawing over 2 million people since 1995, offering some of the greatest rock artists from Latin America and elsewhere to its wide audience at no charge.

2007 was a banner year for concerts. This year proves to be no different, with Bogotá opening its doors to a fine selection of artists for all tastes, from energetic rock to steamy reggaeton. Check out some of what this season brings:

• Dream Theater – March 12th
• EPICA – March 23rd
• VHS or BETA – March 28th
• Bryan Adams – April 9th
• Maná – April 12th
• Omara Portuondo and the Buena Vista Social Club – April 18th
• Lenny Kravitz – April 19th
• Groove Armada – April 25th
• Darren Price (from Underworld) – April 25th
• Cat Power – April 25th
• Wisin y Yandel – April 25th
• Alejandro Fernández – April 29th
• Bossa n’ Stones – May
• Miguel Bose – May 6th
• Calle 13 – May 16th

You can find information and buy tickets at: TuBoleta and MisterTicket

And while we’re on the subject, if you are interested in knowing a little more about the history of rock in Colombia check out “Nación Rock” (Rock Nation), a temporary exhibition at the National Museum. Nación Rock gathers almost 200 representative objects and paraphernalia—spanning thirty years, from 1965 to 1995—that highlight the crux of the Colombian rock movement. Open until May 11, 2008. For more information about this exhibition and the National Museum, click here.

Photo courtesy of Paolo Ferla