Sonar is one of the biggest festivals on the worldwide dance music scene today. The three-day event successfully manages to mix mainstream acts with underground dance music creating a world-class music festival that appeals to die-hard dance music fans as well as those that enjoy the occasional club night out.
Since it began in the early 90’s, Sonar has grown into Sonar By Day and Sonar By Night featuring 100 acts spread across two respective venues. Sonar By Day at the Placa D’Espana in the city centre has four large main stages and features The Sonar Village, a place to kick back, relax and enjoy the music and Mediterranean weather. Be warned it’s almost 40 degrees in June so there may be an abundance of bare flesh. Bothered I hear you say?
This year you’ll be captivated by CHIC featuring Nile Rogers, Massive Attack, Rudimental and Royksop at Sonar.
When: 12-14th June
Who goes: 120,000 die hard clubbers
Most likely to be seen: Everyone, people fly from all over Europe to this event
Rocks Rating: ◊◊◊◊
WEB: www.sonar.es
Sonar by Night is a completely different animal. Four times the size of Sonar and described by revellers as ‘the biggest warehouse rave you’ve ever been to’. Located on the outskirts of Barcelona city centre in the Fira Gran Via complete with fun fair and the hugest sound system any venue has to offer.
Expect to see the unexpected. Last year German electro group Kraftwerk handed out 3D glasses to the crowd and put on an impressive visionary show to accompany their two-hour greatest hits set. This year Sonar will play host to Despacio, a collaborative piece involving LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, 2ManyDJ’s and John Klett,
Despacio is essentially a custom built, sound system offering a unique sonic experience. Powered by McIntosh this 50’000 watt monster of a system will be facilitating James Murphy and the Dewaele brothers to showcase this one of a kind, 6 hour, all vinyl set.
While thousands of dance music fans flock to Barcelona for this eclectic event, the bars and clubs of Barcelona play homage to Sonar by putting on ‘Anti Sonar’ a chance for those to get in on the action without visiting the main arenas. This is a great time to visit Barcelona if you want to both see the sights and feel the party atmosphere, the whole city comes to life for Sonar and doesn’t slow down for the entire weekend.
The only potential downside to Sonar is queuing for the festival’s many food and drink stalls. Tickets have to be bought and paid for in advance and then handed over to these establishments. The idea behind this is so no actual money changes hands (when people may be worse for wear) so it should work nicely. However, queuing is a pain in the arse – especially twice – but this is an unavoidable downside to a festival this large.
