In an era dominated by commercial music, Mana Mana opened its doors in 1984 in Santa Pola, becoming a reference point for those seeking different sounds. The club left an indelible mark on the music scene in the province of Alicante and much of the country. Now, decades later, its spirit will once again be felt at Club Camelot with the celebration of the 'Mana Mana & Friends' party.
“"We shy away from the concept of commercial 'remember' and the 'bakalao' label to focus on a way of experiencing music."
The proposal seeks to recover that unconventional way of understanding music. Mana Mana never functioned as a typical discotheque; while most followed current trends, its booth began playing imported records from Germany, Belgium, England, or the United States that barely circulated in Spain. Post-punk, darkwave, EBM, industrial, and new beat music found an audience there willing to discover something different, turning it into an unexpected phenomenon.
The day will kick off at 2 PM with food, afternoon drinks, and an opening set by Jaime G. Afterwards, the Valencian alternative rock and metal band Aurora will perform live, before giving way to the DJ sessions that will structure the entire night. The booth will feature names linked to different stages of that history, such as Estela Saura or Félix, a key figure in the Murcian scene and historical DJ of Mana Mana, as well as the club's founder, Juanjo Mana Mana, José Gambín, and Fran MSK, a resident during its final years.
Part of the myth of Mana Mana also originated outside the club itself, as the music didn't end when the lights came on. Many still remember those early mornings in the nearby pine forests where cars continued to play tapes as dawn broke. This atmosphere of community and freedom is what Club Camelot wants to bring back with this event. Additionally, the night will recover some of Mana Mana's most recognizable iconography, such as the popular “chica del Km. 16”, and will feature merchandise inspired by the club's original aesthetic.
Camelot, the other great temple of alternative nightlife in Santa Pola, was a benchmark during the late eighties, nineties, and early two thousands. Unlike other venues focused solely on commercial music, Camelot always maintained its own personality and a special connection with the independent, gothic, electronic, and industrial scenes that had also found their place years earlier at Mana Mana. The May 16 event connects with this shared heritage of a generation that understood nightlife as a space to discover music, mix styles, and live experiences.
