A relaxed bus ride, a great meal, and Simply Red lighting up the Murcia Bullring. From a perfect spot near the stage to a Piña Colada nightcap, this short trip had everything, and Mick Hucknall still sounds incredible.
When I saw that Simply Red were performing at the Murcia Bullring, I didn’t even hesitate. I’d been a big fan when I was younger, and the chance to see Mick Hucknall live was too good to miss. I booked my ticket and planned a simple overnight trip: bus to Murcia, hotel, dinner, concert, sleep, breakfast, home. Easy.
Getting to Murcia.
I left Los Alcázares at 14:10 and caught the bus to Murcia. It arrived on time, the air‑conditioning was glorious, and my Kindle kept me entertained the whole way. It was one of those smooth, quiet journeys where you can just switch off and enjoy the ride.
When we arrived, I walked to Hotel Hesperia, which I already knew from my Rod Stewart trip. It’s central, comfortable, and reliable, exactly what you want when you’re only staying one night.
Staying at Hotel Hesperia.
Check‑in was quick, even with a small queue, and my room on the fourth floor was lovely. Clean, cool, and close to everything. For anyone coming to Murcia for a concert, it’s a perfect base: five minutes from the Cathedral, ten minutes from the bullring, and surrounded by cafés and bars.
Dinner Near the Cathedral.
I went back to Trapería Uno, a place I’ve grown quite fond of. It’s not a tourist trap, just good food, good service, and a great location. I ordered the pork cheeks with potatoes and a pint, and it hit the spot. Honestly, I’d go back to Murcia just for that meal.
Simply Red at the Bullring.
I arrived at the bullring at 20:15 and managed to get a brilliant spot near the stage. A few friends from Los Alcázares were there too, so we had a drink and caught up while waiting for the show to start.
At 21:30, Mick Hucknall walked on stage, and he sounded as good as ever. The setlist was a perfect mix of classics and newer songs. The crowd loved every minute of it. The highlight came at the end when he performed a tribute to Tina Turner with Nutbush City Limits, a fantastic way to close the night.
A Post‑Concert Drink.
After the show, I wandered over to Monkira Apostles Bar and treated myself to a Piña Colada. It was the perfect way to cool down and unwind before heading back to the hotel.
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Breakfast the next morning was decent: meats, cheeses, fruit, pastries. The scrambled eggs were disappointing, and there was no bacon, which should be a crime in a breakfast buffet. Still, the cappuccino was good, and I sat reading my Kindle until checkout.
Heading Home.
I walked to the bus station and caught the bus back to Los Alcázares without any trouble. Clean bus, on time, easy journey, exactly what you want when you’re tired from a late night.
Final Thoughts.
Simply Red were brilliant. Murcia is a great city for concerts, easy to get to, plenty of places to stay, and good food everywhere. I’ll definitely be back for more shows.
Add comment