The 31st edition of Barcelona’s International Festival of Music, Creativity, and Technology will take place on June 13th, 14th and 15th. For this edition, Sónar has set out to explore a wide range of genres and subgenres of electronic music from drum’n’bass, hardcore, post-punk, black metal, post-club, memecore, gabber or hyperpop. In addition to the usual ones, house, EDM, techno, drone, and dance. Without a doubt, it will be three days of total immersion in the culture of advanced music.
This year’s program features artists such as Air, Paul Kalkbrenner, Charlotte de Witte, Sevdaliza, Jessie Ware, Kaytranada, Laurent Garnier, Ben Böhmer, Vince Staples, Folamour, Soto Asa, Adriatique, VTSS, Richie Hawtin, Olof Dreijer & Diva Cruz, Kerri Chandler, Floating Points and Yerai Cortés, among others.
Since its founding in 1994, Sónar has been a benchmark in the exploration of electronic music and new forms of digital art, not only standing out for its notable lineup of artists but also for its focus on innovation and technology applied to music and art.
In this 31st edition, advanced music not only covers electronics in its various forms but also hybrid proposals that fuse analog with digital, and traditional with futuristic. The artists who will be featured are pioneers in their fields, using emerging technologies to create unique and immersive sound experiences. Like ‘Music:Response’, the new 360º audiovisual installation created by The Chemical Brothers, at Casa Batlló for Sònar.
Sónar +D, which takes place in parallel to the festival, is the creativity and technology congress that has become a fundamental pillar of the event. It is without a doubt a must. This space is dedicated to innovation, bringing together professionals from music, art, technology, and the digital industry to explore and discuss future trends. Through conferences, workshops, demonstrations, and professional meetings, it encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and promotes the development of new ideas and projects.
Sónar and Sónar +D represent a crucial intersection between artistic creativity and technological innovation. In a world where technology advances at a dizzying pace, these events offer a platform to reflect on the impact of these advances on culture and society.
1. Air
Friday 14th (22:00 – 23:15 PM) at SonarClub
Air, composed of Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel, is known for its distinctive sound that mixes elements of electronic, pop, rock, and ambient music. This time the French duo will reinterpret their influential debut album, ‘Moon Safari,’ originally released in 1998.
Air’s participation in Sónar highlights the festival’s role as a space for artists who challenge the boundaries of traditional musical genres.
2. Laurent Garnier
Friday 14th (18:55 – 21:55) at SonarVillage
Master Garnier! The relationship between Laurent Garnier and Sónar is one of pure devotion to electronic music. The French DJ has participated in multiple editions, contributing his unique style and passion for electronic music. His performances are usually highly anticipated by attendees, as he fuses various genres and styles in his sets, creating an unmatched sound experience. Their loyalty to the festival has helped consolidate Sónar’s reputation as one of the most important events in the world of electronic music.
3. Floating Points
Saturday 15th (02:30 – 03:50) at SonarPub
Floating Points, the alias of British musician and producer Sam Shepherd, is a leading figure in the electronic music scene known for fusing genres and creating sounds that defy convention. His performance at Sónar will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of this year.
With a background in neuroscience and music, Floating Points has developed a deep understanding of both musical structure and human emotions, which is reflected in their productions, such as their work ‘Nuits Sonores/Nectarines’, which will go down in history.
4. ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U
Thursday 13th (18:45 – 19:50) at SonarPark
If Sónar says this: “¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U could be the best DJ in the world”, here we go!
From what we have researched we can say that ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U’s sets will blow your mind, they cover every unimaginable genre and shatter preconceived ideas about what is or isn’t dance music.
There will be two opportunities to see this unique artist at Sónar, as he will also be joining ASIAN DOPEBOYS during their six-hour performance/installation called ‘PHYSIS.’
5. Kerri Chandler presents ‘Reel-2-Reel’ live
Saturday 15 (05:30 – 07:00) at SonarPub
Kerri Chandler, one of the most influential figures in the house scene, is known for his deep connection to the roots of house and his ability to innovate within the genre, pioneer of deep house, Chandler has been an ambassador of the classic New York sound, while infusing it with its own sensibility. We hope to dance to some of their most iconic songs such as ‘Atmosphere’, ‘Bar A Thym’, or ‘Rain’.
“The Stevie Wonder of house” has long been known for his fluid and precise mixes, having signed marathon sessions of house, soul, jazz, funk, and disco, including keyboards, vocals, and live loops. ‘Reel-2-Reel’ live will be another demonstration of his extraordinary technical skill and musical talent.
6. Kabeaushé
Friday 14th (18:05 – 18:45) at SonarVillage
In the context of Sónar, Kabeaushé represents the new wave of artists pushing the boundaries of electronic music and digital art. Their participation promises to be one of the festival’s standout performances, attracting those interested in discovering fresh and experimental sounds. In an interview, the artist commented, “I love cutting influences and putting them together… making my own interpretations like when I was a Kenyan child.”
To give them an idea of the Kabeausché universe, a journalist asked him: “Could you describe your creative process based on a piece, live performance or album that is especially dear to you, please?”, to which he responded: “That one It is a difficult question. I’m going to say “Arular” by M.I.A, mixed with “Graduation” by Kanye West, and then “Cherry Bomb” by Tyler, and then I’ll add any of your favorite 80’s pop bands like Bananarama.” Anyway, this will be a must-see act!
7. Richie Hawtin
Friday 14th (04:10 – 05:25) at SonarClub
Richie Hawtin doesn’t need many introductions. One of the greatest exponents of electronic music, thanks to a career that spans more than 30 years.
Sónar will once again host, together with the Movement Festival in Detroit, the premiere of his new live show DEX EFX X0X, where he will once again demonstrate the Canadian artist’s dedication to electronic music. Emphasizing digital manipulation, a hallmark of his DJ sets, he will adhere to the principles of his Decks, EFX, and 909 series through the use of advanced performance tools. This innovation embodies the past and future of DJing.
8. Bikôkô
Thursday 13th (15:30 – 16:15) at SonarHall
Bikôkô means “evening” and symbolizes the end of a stage, and at Sónar he will present a new beginning, his latest EP ‘Destiny’. In an interview, the artist born in Barcelona explained the range of artists and trends that have most influenced her saying: “R&B and Neo-soul artists like Erykah Badú and D’Angelo, songs from Tanzania and rhythms from West Africa, (…) No I thought “Destiny” would end up being a song. I made a first draft by testing a Wulu song called “Facts.” I wrote a verse in a couple of minutes, recorded it and kept it on my computer for a couple of months. “I decided to post the snippet on social media and people really liked it, so I decided to keep working on it and finish it.”
His deep beats, ethereal synths, and processed vocals, along with his ability to combine different influences and his commitment to artistic quality suggest that Bikôkô will continue to challenge the boundaries of the genre. For all this, this emerging artist is undoubtedly essential in this edition.
9. Gabber Eleganza
Saturday 15 (19:55 – 20:40) at SonarPark
The real dark hard gabber! Gabber Eleganza is the project of Italian Alberto Guerrini with which he explores the sounds of electronica and rave culture.
In this edition of Sónar, Gabber Eleganza will present its ‘Hakke Show’, a performance in which its dancers will transfer the archetypes of hakke to the big stage with energetic choreography, usually above 180 bpm. Let’s dance, jump, scream, and burn our sneakers to his sound!
10. Moktar
Friday 14th (22:00 – 23:00) at SonarVillage
The techno-Arabic fusion that has captivated Australia, says Sónar.
Moktar combines traditional Arabic instrumentation with club music and, more specifically, techno music. Their sound is a reflection of their resilience, integrating their struggle for their identity and their passion for music.
Moktar arrives after signing with Steel City Dance Discs, Mall Grab’s label, a double EP that explores techno and IDM from Arabic percussion.
Finally, above any list a special mention to the master Anthony Child aka Surgeon.
Surgeon & Speedy J present ‘MULTIPLES’ live
Friday 14th (18:45 – 19:45) at SonarHall
Child releases music on his own labels Counterbalance and Dynamic Tension. Established labels such as Tresor, Soma, and Harthouse have also released original material and remixes from Surgeon. The British artist has been recognized as one of the first wave of DJs to use Ableton Live and Final Scratch to complement their sets.
Now you understand what we mean, right? Master Surgeon is one of those who show the way forward. For Sónar he has prepared a master class in classic techno with Speedy J, two scholars with an incontestable technique who, every time they take the stage together, take their mastery and creative vision to new dimensions. ‘MULTIPLES’ is presented as a true sonic explosion.
And of course, a visit to SónarÁgora is essential to be aware of where the new limits of musical and technological creation are expanding.
Sónar will take place on June 13th, 14th, and 15th, 2024 in the city of Barcelona. For more information and tickets click here.
