Electronic music festival Sónar brings a top quality line-up for 2014 to Barcelona

Barcelona (CNA).- The 21^st edition of the International Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art Sónar 2014 is set and ready to take over the Catalan capital from the 12th-14th June. As in recent years, the festival will alternate between two different locations depending on whether it is a day or a night event. Fira Montjuïc is the location for Sónar by Day whereas Sónar by Night takes place in Fira Gran Via L’Hospitalet. In this way, the festival offers two different venues for the crowd, one for those who prefer a relaxing chill out in the Mediterranean sunshine and another for a greater party atmosphere as the night draws in. The two locations are ready to play host to the performances of a packed line-up made up of more than 130 artists, bands and deejays. With several stages and a program replete with star names, the Sónar crowd is in for a treat as top notch electronic musicians from all over the world will perform before a local and international crowd.

The electronic music festival officially begins on Thursday at noon on two different stages simultaneously. The biggest names to perform on the opening day include Danish multi-instrumentalist Anders Trentemøller on the SónarHall stage. Accompanied by a band, the Scandinavian combines electronic house with acoustics. Another Thursday DJ is Plastikman, set to close the final performance on Thursday evening. Plastikman is the alias of globally recognized Producer and DJ Richie Hawtin, known for revolutionizing techno during the 90s. The British-born Canadian is returning to Sónar to offer an exclusive performance of a live concept debuted in New York last year. Just 24 hours after presenting his new show, Hawtin will be performing again on Friday.  

Saturday offers the return of Massive Attack. The UK band performed at Sónar ten years ago and is expected to offer a highly anticipated show with an audiovisual exploration of agitation propaganda and technology. Furthermore, the line-up includes several prominent artists making it possible for organizers to provide a varied program for electronic music fans. The foundations are laid for a successful festival to build on the 20^th anniversary edition last year, which set new record-breaking figures with more than 120,000 visitors. This year’s Sónar, however, is equally exciting and now the organizers are more familiar with the relatively new venue. Tickets are still available.

SónarKids

The SónarKids festival which offers music and creative experiences for children and parents took place recently. Once again, Port de la Selva was the chosen location for the third edition of SónarKids. Hundreds of people filled the promenade of the town in a festival that has put special emphasis on hip-hop. Parents and children came from all over Catalonia as well as France. This year’s theme was more electronic, hip- hop and funky techno. Hip-hop rapper Tremendous was praised for an impressive performance, but other artists such as Busy P or 'beatbox sampler' Markooz were among the star performances. However, the highlight was the concert offered by DMK who acted for the first time in Europe showing original versions of songs by Depeche Mode. The stage was located in the middle of the promenade for people to enjoy these musical and creative experiences. A photo of the promenade during SónarKids in Port de la Selva was one of smiling families, music and dancing. Good weather is likely to have helped the attendance at SónarKids reach 5,000 visitors.