Sónar
will transform Barcelona into the global epicentre of electronic and digital
culture, with up to 300 events, concerts, conferences and dozens of innovative
projects linked to technology and creativity.
The
23rd edition of Sónar festival presents 130 performances across 8 stages. Among
the highlights are a number of European and world premieres; a diverse range of
electronica from Latin America, Africa and the Middle East; the pick of the
Spanish and Catalan scene; stars of dance music and the international club
scene; and a focus on social activism and critical discourse in the work of
several artists.
Among
the premieres will be new shows from Jean-Michel Jarre, Anohni, James Blake,
New Order, Santigold, Flume, Skepta, El Guincho and Niño de Elche + Los
Voluble; highly anticipated performances from Kelela, Yung Lean, Howling, John
Grant, Kaytranada, Club Cheval, Lafawndah and Jamie Woon; and a classical music
recital from British pianist James Rhode. In the field of experimental music
Sónar features shows from Alva Noto and Cyclo (marking the 20th anniversary of
German label raster-noton); Oneohtrix Point Never; Kode9 & Lawrence Lek;
and collaborations between King Midas Sound and Fennesz and DVS1 with Rodhad.
Meanwhile, drawing from the fertile scene of electronic dance music will come highly
anticipated dj sets from Matias Aguayo, Jackmaster, Mano Le Tough, Kenny Dope,
Kerri Chandler, Richie Hawtin, The Black Madonna and John Talabot; live shows
from Boys Noize and Bicep, as well as extra special 7hr sets played through a
custom sound system from dj’s Four Tet and Laurent Garnier on the revamped
SónarCar stage.
Sónar
2016 features two show premieres on Friday, June 17 at Sónar by Night: the
world premiere of a new and spectacular Jean-Michel Jarre show, and the first
European concert from Anohni (ex Antony & the Johnsons).
The French producer, electronic music pioneer
and creator of legendary and influential albums like “Oxygene” or “Equinox”,
offers a giant audiovisual show to present the two parts of his new project,
“Electronica”. Meanwhile, Anohni, the British singer resident in New York,
begins her new chapter in electronica with “Hopelessness”, the highly political
album unanimously praised by the media, which makes its European debut at the
festival. She will be accompanied on stage by two of modern electronica’s most
important artists: Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawke.
As with every year, Sónar scours the pick of
the international electronic scene, presenting them to a Barcelona audience
eager for new music: James Blake, Santigold, Kaytranada, Flume, New Order,
Kode9, Boys Noize and Yung Lean, all present new albums.
Activism, social themes and critical discourse
at Sónar
Climate change, mass surveillance, immigration
policies, transgender rights... The Sónar and Sónar+D program includes various
artists and speakers noted for their political commitment and critical
reflections on today’s society, which will also be reflected in the staging of
their concerts and the content of their talks.
Among the highlights are artists such as
Anohni, Jean-Michel Jarre, The Black Madonna, Niño de Elche+Los Voluble, Kode9
and Gazelle Twin, as well as key Sónar+D artists like Brian Eno, Semiconductor
(creators of the large-scale installation “Earthworks” in SónarPLANTA) and
several of the speakers at the Decentralize series of lectures.
Urban sounds and global dance
Urban sounds like hip hop, grime or jungle
take on a special role at Sónar 2016 in the hands of artists including Skepta,
Roots Manuva, Stormzy, Lady Leshurr, Congo Natty, Kelela, Section Boyz and Ivy
Lab.
The festival also pays special attention to
artists basing much of their sound on the folklore and traditions of their
native countries, such as Ata Kak, Nozinja or Mikael Seifu from the African
continent, Nicola Cruz, Las Hermanas and Matias Aguayo from Latin America; or
projects based on Mediterranean Arabic traditions such as Insanlar or Acid
Arab.
