In June, Barcelona will turn into the capital for electronic music lovers once again as the renowned Sonar festival returns to the picturesque Catalan city.
A big part of the Sonar experience revolves around the slew of Off Week parties and label showcases for which artists, imprints, journalists and globetrotting clubbers fly into the Southern Spain for a weekend of celebration, as well as a glimpse into the future of the scene.
Sonar is widely known for as a destination uniting established artists with emerging talent, in all areas of musical and audiovisual production. The festival is constantly progressive and on the pulse of the current electronic music landscape. Now, we present a handpicked selection of the, what we find to be, the best events during Off Week you should surely check out.
#15 Feel My Bicep x Live at Robert Johnson | Thursday | 18th June
On Thursday Irish duo Bicep and Offenbach club Robert Johnson team up for their second ever party together at Parc Del Forum in Barcelona. The first party of the two heavyweights took place at Panorama Bar in December with a marathon 30hr+ party. This time, sights are set on Spain with an outdoor off Sonar party from midday to midnight featuring DJ Harvey, Bicep, Midland, Ryan Elliot, Martyn (live) and Robert Johnson regulars Oliver Hafenbauer and TCB (live).
Bicep | DJ Harvey | Midland | Oliver Hafenbauer | Ryan Elliott | Martyn (live) | TCB (live)
#14 Watergate @ FACT Music Pool Series 2015 | Friday | 19th June
This years FACT Music Pool Series has some special events for you. With Watergate they will host one of Berlin’s most renowned electronic music institutions and record labels. And they bring along the creme de la creme of their roster. Expect artist like Pan-Pot, Tiefschwarz, Matthias Kaden, Daniel Bortz and Ruede Hagelstein making your time at the pool as pleasant as it could be.
Pan-Pot | Tiefschwarz (live) feat. Khan | Mathias Kaden (live) | Daniel Bortz | Marco Resmann | Ruede Hagelstein | Matthias Meyer | La Fleur | Lee Jones | Jimi Jules | Clint Stewart | Stassy
# 13 Flying Circus Barcelona | Sunday | 21th June
Flying Circus, the global dance music events, touches down in Barcelona during Sonar. The organisation know for generally seeking the more spectacular, oppulent and nature-touched locations to host their events will bring along English/Sanish duo Audiofly, Barcelona resident Martin Buttrich, Visionquest head Shaun Reeves, Bill Patrick and more.
Audiofly | Martin Buttrich (official) | Shaun Reeves | Bill Patrick | Anthea | Maayan Nidam | Isabella
#12 IR presents HIVERN DISCS | Thursday | 18th June
One more time it is IR BRC teaming up with another great organisation. This time it’s Hivern Discs the label from Barcelona and owned by John Talabot who organise their home game. At El Monasterio, a beautiful location of el Poble Espanyol local John Talabot, London based Joy Orbison, Colognes Barnt, Dorisburg and Marc Piñol. And there are even more artist to be announced.
John Talabot | Joy Orbison | Barnt | Dorisburg (live) | Marc Piñol
#11 Culprit Showcase | Thursday | 18th June
A lot of fun and a good time is guaranteed when attending a Culprit showcase. The LA-based imprint Culprit, founded by the DJ/producer trio Droog, is known for their careful selection of funky and modernistic underground house music. Our friends have released records for distinguished and celebrated names like Lee Foss, Lee Curtiss, Jamie Jones or Seth Troxler. This year they’re coming back to Barcelona for the sixth time and they will set up their event at LaTerazza again. They will be joined by Edu Imbernon, hailing from the city of Valencia, Benoit & Sergio and Daniel Bortz and more in their line up for the evening.
Benoit & Sergio | Bambook | Daniel Bortz | Droog | Edu Imbernon | jozif | Lorenzo Dada | Maxxi Soundsystem
# 10 IR Presents Resident Advisor | Thursday | 18th June
Another event located at EL Monasterio, a former monastery that offers stunning views of Barcelona and in partnership with IR BCN will be organised by Resident Advisor. Expect a live set from Andy Stott, the artist behind RA’s number one album of 2014. He’ll be joined by Erol Alkan, Felicita, I-F hailing from The Hague, Hessle Audio co-founder Pearson Sound, Leon Vynehall and Running Back’s Gerd Janson, who is playing back-to-back with Jackmaster.
Andy Stott | Erol Alkan | Felicita | I-F | Pearson Sound | Leon Vynehall | Gerd Janson | Jackmaster
