As much as a meeting of leading electronic minds as a festival, Sónar returns to Barcelona 18-20 June, showcasing some of the world’s most progressive music… that you can dance to. Sónar Director Enric Palau has made Q this Playlist presenting his person selections from the 2015 bill. “Sónar’s is as an interaction and hybridization with digital cultures, creative technologies, together with established artists, benchmark figures, newest trends and avant-garde scenes,” he says of the event. “Every single act, activity, exhibition ect is always hosted within very special locations, generating unique environments. Sónar philosophy is at some time big format shows like this year Chemical Brothers or Skrillex, as well as understanding the influences of classic like Duran Duran, discovering through more intimal formats artists that are building new artistic passages like Lorenzo Senni (IT), Holly Herndon (USA), Vessel (UK), but also scenic transgression with sophisticate mechanism and audio devices like this year Nyloïd (CH), or the SonarPanta space which has been inaugurated from Carsten Nicolai (DE) Unidisplay work. These are only some reasons why we resume Sónar multifaceted character in three aspects: Music, Creativity and Technology.” Now do some dancing…
A$AP Rocky – Wild For The Night (ft Skrillex)
“Two of the most charismatic and exciting artists on the American scene are: Skrillex –, who will return to the festival after his extraordinary 2013 show – and A$AP, who will appear for the first time, and we are very much looking forward to seeing him perform on the main stage at Sónar by Night.”
Jamie xx – All Under One Roof Raving
“Jamie is pure talent. We love everything he has done to date including his The xx productions, his own tracks, and DJ sets… This particular track is a gem and pays homage to the UK rave era with Jamie’s distinctive, complex and captivating sound.”
Arca – Thievery
“We knew about his potential from his production work with FKA Twigs (who is also part of this year’s Sónar line-up), and from his mixtape, but his debut album on Mute has exceeded all expectations. His show – with visuals provided by Jesse Kanda – will certainly be one of the highlights of Sónar by Day. It is no wonder that Björk has signed him up.”
Autechre – Nil
“Without Autechre many of the artists appearing at this year’s festival would probably not exist. A track from 1994 like this for example, still sounds just as fresh and menacing. They are fundamental.”
Daniel Avery – All I Need (Roman Flügel Remix)
“This track unites two artists, who although from differing generations and backgrounds share many of the same virtues: depth, versatility, sophistication and dance floor mastery. Sensational music.”
Holly Herndon – Chorus
“Herndon is an artist whose work exemplifies the spirit of Sónar: innovation, technology, art, conceptual depth and playfulness. She will perform on one of the Sónar by Day stages and will also give a lecture at Sónar+D, the festivals technological, artistic and business area.”
LCC – Calx
“Another major highlight at this year’s Sónar is the Editions Mego showcase which celebrates 20 years at the top of the European cutting edge scene with 6 concerts from: KTL, Klara Lewis, Voices From The Lake, Russell Haswell and the two Spanish projects from its roster: EVOL and Asturian duo LLC, creators of the magnificent album d/evolution.”
Pional – It’s All Over
“As always, this year’s festival will once again offer an overview of what is happening in today’s Spanish scene. John Talabot collaborator Pional, a regular on labels like Permanent Vacation and Young Turks, is a fine example of the Spanish scene’s good health.”
Mumdance & Novelist – 1 Sec
“For more than ten years Sónar has collaborated with the Red Bull Music Academy in curating the SonarDôme stage. New London grime will be one of the sounds represented, with performances by Skepta & JME and Mumdance & Novelist.”
Hot Chip – Huarache Lights
“Hot Chip have already visited Sónar and will return this year with an excellent new album and two concerts at key points in the festival: Thursday, closing the main stage at Sónar by Day and again on Friday at Sónar by Night.”
Bomba Estéreo – Fiesta
“Later this year Sónar will travel to Latin America, Colombia, Argentina and Chile. Latin music has always had a presence in the Barcelona festival program and Bomba Estereo is of the projects that have best assimilated dance electronica into traditional rhythm frameworks like cumbia or champeta. When playing live they are also effectively a giant party.”
For more, including the full line-up and latest ticket news, head to Sonar.es.
