Since 2001, Primavera Sound has taken over Barcelona for an entire weekend each year to showcase an incredible lineup and festival experience, bringing the best and the brightest to Spain. Started by the music promotion company Primavera Sound as a one day, multiple stage music festival, its goal since the beginning has been to bring all generations of music lovers and festival-goers together to enjoy quality music and adrenaline-pumping experiences. It has been referenced during the inception of many music festivals, especially those housed in an urban setting, and is known widely as a must-attend event for industry members and music lovers from around the globe. Not only that, but it sticks to an end of May/beginning of June date each year to be one of the big events to officially welcome festival season around the world.
Primavera Sound hosts free programming for an entire month leading up to the main event under the name Primavera a la Ciutat, engaging locals and travelers alike to hype up the event itself, as well as expanding the cultural impact these artists have on the country. There have been some really stellar things happening as of late on the streets of Barcelona. Primavera als Bars is running live performances in small venues – including fifteen bars, restaurants, hotels, community and cultural centers – while Primavera als Barris completely trasnforms the community into beautifully integrated festival stages. Primavera Sound is proving, repeatedly, through these efforts that their true goal is to bring Spain to the forefront of several industries, including the heightened awareness of their massive influence in the arts and everything the city has to offer travel-wise as well.
In 2010, organizers added the Primavera Pro event to coincide with the weekend, an international meeting for industry professionals to mingle and discover true up-and-comers, highlighting talented Spanish acts for the world to see. In fact, it can probably be most closely associated with America’s own SXSW conference.
This year’s fest is comprised of an extraordinary lineup, and will take place from May 31st through June 4th. Favorites like Marrakesh, Mannequin Pussy, LVL UP, Sleaford Mods, Japandroids, Weyes Blood, Swet Shop Boys, Van Morrison, Angel Olsen, Hamilton Leithauser, Cymbals Eat Guitars, SAMPHA, Arcade Fire, Against Me!, Descendents, Frank Ocean, Nots, Solange, The XX, Mitski, Swans, and Flying Lotus are joined by others we can’t wait to discover more music from, including – but certainly not limited to – It’s Not Not, Inzul, El Petit De Cal Eril, Belako, Leyya, Kokoschca, Annette Peacock, Aries, De Mónaco, Persian Pelican, and Adelaida. The event this year is hosted in part by Coca-Cola, Firestone, Bacardi, Ray-Ban, Heineken, Adidas, and more.
As you can see – and as we’re sure you already knew – Primavera Sound is not a festival you want to miss. There is still a couple of weeks to nab a ticket and get yourself to Barcelona, and we’re rooting for ya! Impose will be there to cover what you miss, but check back for artist updates on the path to a weekend of bliss.
**Due to the untimely passing of Grandaddy’s bassist and co-founder Kevin Garcia earlier this month, they will be replaced by Arab Strap in the Primavera Sound lineup.
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Keep up with fest updates here.
