Everything you need to know about music festivals this summer

After music festivals fell silent in 2020, there is fresh hope across Catalonia that festivals can go ahead in some format this year. 

The steady progress of the vaccination rollout programme has already ensured immunization for the majority of the most vulnerable of the population, and more and more milestones will be reached over the coming months as authorities hope to have 70% of the country vaccinated by the end of the summer. 

Currently, over 37% of the total population of Catalonia has at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine already administered.

Additionally, health authorities decided to allow 'festa major' local festivities from July 7, meaning that towns all across Catalonia brace for a summer of concerts. 

This progress, coupled with positive results from the pilot concert experiment where 5,000 enjoyed a Love of Lesbian concert without social distancing, has allowed organizers to push ahead with plans to stage various music festivals.

However, Catalonia’s biggest, Primavera Sound, will not be held this year, after the decision was taken months ago to call off 2021’s edition amid uncertainty surrounding the health crisis and travel possibilities. 

Likewise, Sónar won’t be going ahead this year, but will instead hold two new, smaller format festivals, in consecutive days this autumn. 

Cruïlla is perhaps the biggest festival that will go ahead this summer, and with plans to do so with no social distancing. Attendees will have to wear face masks and have antigen tests before arriving, but in general the crowds will be allowed to mix and enjoy the concerts similar to pre-pandemic times. 

Music festivals in Catalonia this summer: 

Cruïlla 

Where: Barcelona

When: July 8-10

Main acts performing: Two Door Cinema Club, Editors, Manel, Kase.O, Residente, Morcheeba and Of Monsters and Men 

Covid-19 measures: Cruïlla is “back as normal” this year. Attendees will have to pass antigen tests every day to enter even if they are already vaccinated, and they will have to wear face masks, but no limits will be placed on distancing or movements of people. Organizers expect around 25,000 visitors to attend at Parc del Fòrum on each day of the festival.

Tickets: Fans can choose between attending one day, two days, or three days, for prices ranging from €40 to €145 plus fees. 

Vida 

Where: Vilanova i la Geltrú

When: July 1-3

Main acts performing: Vetusta Morla, Hinds, Nathy Peluso, Love of Lesbian, Mujeres

Covid-19 measures: 11,000 people will be in attendance at the festival, with daily testing for all visitors. 

Tickets: Day tickets for €70 or full weekend passes for €235. Tickets including camping and bungalow accommodation are also available for up to €593. 

Embassa't 

Where: Sabadell

When: June 10-13 

Main acts performing: Sidonie, Arlo Parks, Pau Vallvé, Rigoberta Bandini, María Arnal i Marcel Bagés, Lu Rois y Xiula

Covid-19 measures: Face masks and social distancing. Fans can purchase single tickets, or else buy tables that can fit 5, 6, 7, or 8 people, as groups will have to remain in their social bubbles. 

Tickets: Prices vary depending on the act and day. Tickets can be purchased for six different blocks of concerts over the course of four days. 

Canet Rock 2021 

Where: Canet de Mar

When: July 3 

Main acts performing: Stay Homas, Buhos, Zoo, Suu, Oques Grases, Doctor Prats, Miki Núñez, Roba Estesa y Lildami

Covid-19 measures: All visitors, artists, and workers will have to pass an antigen test on the same day as the festival, but there will be no social distancing. Face masks must be worn at all times, there will be a specific area for eating and drinking, and hand sanitizer dispensers will be found throughout the venue. Entrances and exits of fans will be done at staggered intervals. 

Tickets: €40 for the full day, with discounted prices for younger fans. 

Festival Cap Roig 

Where: Calella de Palafrugell

When: July 23-August 21, with only one concert per night.

Main acts performing: Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Sopa de Cabra, Aitana, Estopa, Manel

Covid-19 measures: With only one concert taking place at a time, seats will be assigned and social distancing will be enforced. Hand gel dispensers will be found at the site. 

Tickets: Prices vary depending on the performance.

Festival Porta Ferrada 

Where: Sant Feliu de Guíxols

When: July 10-August 2 

Main acts performing: Kool & the Gang, Bad Gyal, La Oreja de Van Gogh

Covid-19 measures: With only one concert taking place on any given night, seats will be assigned and social distancing will be enforced. Entrances and exits of fans will be staggered, with various access points. 

Tickets: Varying prices depending on the concert.

Festival Jardins de Pedralbes

Where: Barcelona

When: June 1-July 22 

Main acts performing: Vanesa Martín, Love of Lesbian, Manel, Aitana

Covid-19 measures: With only one concert taking place on any given night, seats will be assigned and social distancing will be enforced.

Tickets: Varying prices depending on the concert.

Festival Castell Peralada

Where: Peralada

When: July 16-August 1

Main acts performing: Rufus Wainwright, Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Orlando, Javier Camarena

Covid-19 measures: With only one concert taking place on any given night, seats will be assigned and social distancing will be enforced.

Tickets: Varying prices depending on the concert.

2022 festivals 

Some of Catalonia’s biggest music festivals have already announced details of their 2022 shows, namely Primavera Sound and Sónar. 

Primavera Sound had hoped to celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2020 with an extended programme, but those plans were scuppered by the pandemic. 

Uncertainties over travel restrictions for both fans and artists and measures that would mean social distancing would be a requirement made it too logistically difficult to hold both of these festivals. Instead, the pair of them have focussed their efforts on putting on a great spectacle next year. 

In 2022, Barcelona’s biggest music festival, Primavera Sound will be hosting a double-festival, spread across two weekends rather than the customary one, with plenty of great acts performing in the midweek between the two weekends, and a new beach party on the final Sunday as well. 

Primavera Sound

Where: Barcelona

When: June 2-12, 2022 

Main acts performing: Tyler, The Creator, Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa, The Strokes, Gorrilaz

Covid-19 measures: No details announced. 

Tickets: From €245 for one weekend. 

Sónar 

Where: Barcelona

When: June 16-18, 2022 

Main acts performing: The Chemical Brothers, The Blaze, Arca, Oneohtrix Point Never, Richie Hawtin, AJ Tracey

Covid-19 measures: No details announced. 

Tickets: From €165 for the full weekend.