Primavera Sound Turns Fòrum into the Musical Epicenter of the City
Charli xcx, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan among this year’s headliners.
The first major music event on Barcelona’s calendar brings a stellar lineup to the Parc del Fòrum, with standout names like Charli xcx, who performs alongside Australian artist Troye Sivan, as well as American stars Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan. The festival runs from June 4 to 8.
Everything kicks off with the opening night on June 4 (note: a reservation via the app is required), which has become almost a ritual—a first encounter with the festival grounds. This year's opening lineup features local project Llum (5:35 PM), Hinds (6:40 PM), La Casa Azul (8:10 PM), and Caribou (9:45 PM), the folktronica/indietronica project of Canadian musician Dan Snaith.
Following the opener, four days of international programming will bring some of the biggest names in today's music scene. On Thursday, June 5, Charli XCX and Troye Sivan take the stage with Sweat, their only joint performance in Europe—described as a lush and expansive avant-pop experience. Charli XCX also presents tracks from her new album Brat, packed with bold, club-ready sounds.
That same Thursday, you can also catch UK dance/electronic producer Jamie XX, KA Twigs with EUSEXUA, Parcels, and the post-punk energy of British-Irish band Idles, formed in Bristol in 2009. Their album Tangk (2024) includes powerful tracks like Dance, Grace, and Pop Pop Pop.
Friday brings Sabrina Carpenter as the headliner, performing songs from her 2025 album Short n’ Sweet, featuring 17 tracks including the 2024 summer hit Espresso and the much-anticipated Please Please Please. Friday’s lineup has a strong female presence, including the three Haim sisters from California, the dream pop duo Beach House (Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally), and bands like Wet Leg. Other acts include Floating Points, TV On The Radio, The Jesus Lizard, Stereolab, Amelie Lens, Danny L. Harle, and Madrid-based group Carolina Durante.
On Saturday, the spotlight is on Chappell Roan, the breakout star of 2023 who had been honing her sound for years. With a stage name that honors her missing grandfather, Roan blends '80s synth-pop and early 2000s chart pop into infectious hits. Her most recent single is The Giver, and her 2023 album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess has won acclaim. Also performing on Saturday: Fontaines D.C., Amaia, and Yung Beef, among others.
The festival wraps up on Sunday with a celebration led by DJ Michael James Lawrence, aka Michael Bibi, the London-based tech house producer now happily back onstage after recovering from a serious illness. He’ll be joined by Paul Kalkbrenner, the renowned German DJ and producer of techno, minimal techno, house, and IDM.
If you don’t want to miss this year’s Primavera Sound headliners, make your way to Parc del Fòrum—but be sure to check the website for set times and ticket information.