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Sónar 2014

The electronic music festival celebrates its 21st edition from the 12th to the 14th of June with a programme that includes artists such as Massive Attack, Chic and Richie Hawtin

Sónar, one of Barcelona’s most popular and iconic festivals, celebrates its 21st edition from the 12th to the 14th of June. As is customary, the festival will be divided into two distinct stages, Sonar de Dia which has been held in the Fira de Montjuïc since last year, and Sonar de Nit, which will be held in the Gira Gran Via L’Hospitalet.

Headliners on this year’s festival include artists the likes of Massive Attack, Chic and Richie Hawtin. The first of these return to Sonar ten years after their first appearance with an exclusive new debut show that promises yet another step forward in their unique audio-visual exploration of political propaganda and the influences of technology. The legendary disco and electronic dance outfit, Chic, also return to Sonar after their now famous performance in 2006, and Richie Hawtin will visit the festival with his unique brand of precise and challenging electronic sounds.

But there is much more: from the pop, soul and electronic fusion of Swedish singer Lykee Li to the hip-hop-influenced Pretty Lights, from the ‘space disco’ of Norwegian Todd Terje to the hypnotic techno of James Holden, and from the hybrid themes of the increasingly popular MØ to the pop sounds of Majical Cloudz, who will be hoping to follow up on their successful appearance at the recent edition of Primavera Sound.

Another name to highlight among the list of more than one hundred artists and bands is that of the leader of LCD Soundsystem, James Murphy, who will be offering a unique session of disco and house music. The artist, in collaboration with 2manydjs and the prestigious American sound company McIntosh will be presenting “Despacio”, a new club experience with an installation consisting of seven towers of speakers and amplifiers, each of three metres high.

Among the Catalan artists at the festival, notable names include bands such as Downliners Sekt with their fractured electronic sound that has been acclaimed by the media worldwide, Balago, veterans of the scene who will be presenting their latest cosmic ambience release “Darder”, Ordre Etern with their ritual monolithic noise, and Desert, with their unique brand of vibrant dream pop.

Regarding the parallel activities, is the most prominent Sonar + D, the international conference on creativity and technology designed to enhance the talent and business opportunities around digital culture. Held by the Sónar by Day at the Palace of Congresses and the Fira Montjuic brings together experts from around the world (technologists, businesses, artists, entrepreneurs and researchers) to present and project initiatives and tools that will shape future creative experiences around music, image, interactive content and transmedia platforms.

For more information on the programme and prices, follow this link.

Publication date: Friday, 06 June 2014
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