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So what is all this Sónar business about? If you haven’t heard of it, quite frankly, where have you been hiding?
This world renowned music festival – one of the leading bass festivals in Europe – showcases the latest trends in modern electronica and its hybridisations with other genres.
Encompassing more than 80,000 people, Spain’s 19th festival of advanced music and new media art touched down in the country on the 14-16th June.
The annual event teams electronic beats with soaring temperatures and sandy beaches.
This is many people’s idea of paradise, and that’s why this month saw thousands of sun starved, bass hungry Brits flock to the Iberian party capital that is Barcelona, with ray bans in hand and Instagram apps at the ready.
The festival had a split personality, ‘Sónar by Day’ and ‘Sónar by Night’. ‘Sónar by Day’ showcased musical performances and exhibitions, notably in a search for new talent, and ‘Sónar by Night’ stood proud as a mass gathering featuring leading musical artists.
At this vast celebration of music, sunshine and intoxicants, the stylish crowds’ usual self-aware nods of appreciation to the beat were transformed into excitable hysteria.
It seems the Vitamin-D certainly sought to bring out peoples’ playful sides, as renowned DJ’s and performers were met by euphoric cheers, waving hands, playful dancing and childish water fights.
Held in the grounds of Barcelona University, ‘Sónar by day’ awarded party goers an intimate space to simply let go and unwind.
With temporary bars and hot dogs stands poised to entice the hoards, sounds of Flying Lotus, Thundercat and Jacques Greene filled the air while the rest of the country lay in quiet siesta.
Venues around the area also jumped on board and set up a series of parallel events. Collaborating with the Auditori (Barcelona’s predominant music Auditorium) and Cosmocaixa (Barcelona’s Science Museum), Sónar certainly made its mark on the city.
The festival transformed at night, held from 10pm until 7am in Fira Gran Via, a large conference centre situated a taxi rides’ distance along the motorway.
Stepping inside the venue, you were greeted by vivid technicolour lights sent out from colossal stages – not to mention a causal bumper car rally taking place in the centre of the venue.
The likes of Deadmau5, Amon Tobin and Modeselektor sent shockwaves amongst the hoards.
But it was Fatboy Slim who stole the show on the penultimate night, throwing out crowd pleasers and mesmerising hazy tunes with bizarre, mind bending visuals.
Radio One were sure not to miss out, hosting their own stage with the notorious Annie Mac, and streaming out live to listeners across the world.
Even the likes of soul temptress Lana Del Rey couldn’t stay away, awarding the crowds something a little more melodic and mellow at midnight on the Friday.
The music didn’t stop until 7am the following day, so while the Spanish birds were tweeting to the early morning sunrise, Sónarites were dazedly kicking empty beer cups whilst meandering their way back to normality along the arid motorway.
For those of you who missed out, fear not, as this unique festival occurs annually in mid June.
Rumour has it that preparations are already underway to make next years event even more spell binding than the last. So be sure not to miss out!