New Order, James Blake and synth pioneer Jean-Michelle Jarre’s will to perform at Barcelona’s Sónar festival

Barcelona (CNA).- The 23^rd edition of Barcelona’s Sónar festival – one of Europe’s most well-known electronic music events - will count amongst its acts many big names of the industry. The legendary Manchester band New Order will again be on the bill, after performing at the festival in 2012. The British musician James Blake will present his latest album ‘Radio Silence’ and the French pioneer of synthesisers, Jean-Michel Jarre, has chosen the Catalan festival to mark his comeback to the stage. Sónar “has become everything a modern festival aims to be” stated Jarre. The festival will take place from the 16^th to the 18^th of June at Fira Montjuic by day and at Fira Gran Via by night.

The opening show will take place at Barcelona’s Teatre Auditori with the Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning piece ‘Become Ocean’. The composition, written by John Luther Adams and directed by Brad Lubman, is inspired by the Pacific Ocean and aims to warn of the destruction of nature. ‘Become Ocean’ will be played by the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra (OBC).

However, the main attractions of the 23^rd edition of Barcelona’s Sónar Festival will be performing during Sónar by Night: New Order, French pioneer of synthesisers, Jean-Michel Jarre, James Blake, Laurent Garnier, John Talabat, Fatboy Slim and Antony, amongst many others.

Sónar “has become everything a modern festival aims to be” stated Jarre, who has chosen the Catalan festival to mark his comeback. Indeed, his show at Sónar will be Jarre’s only performance in Spain this year.

More than just music

The festival features nearly 150 concerts (morning, afternoon and night sessions) in addition to more than a hundred activities related to Sónar+D. This parallel event focuses on creativity and technological innovation and is conceived as an international professional conference which brings together international experts and presents cutting-edge initiatives and tools in the fields of music, visuals, interactive content and transmedia platforms.

Last year nearly 120,000 people from all over the world attended the festival, which is considered one of Europe’s most well-known electronic music events.