Primavera Sound is back with an impressive line-up and more than 190,000 fans expected in Barcelona

Barcelona (ACN).- In 15 years, Primavera Sound has established itself as the most international musical festival in Southern Europe and a global point of reference in the realm of urban music events, particularly among indie and pop fans. With more than 190,000 festival-goers expected this year, the core of the show takes place in Barcelona's Fòrum Park - an enormous setup by the sea - from Thursday the 28^th to Saturday the 30^th of May. During this 3-day-session, a total of 193 concerts will be held, with international artists performing non-stop from the afternoon (around 5 p.m.) until the next morning. The 2015 line-up looks once again to be pretty spectacular: The Black Keys, Interpol, The Replacements, alt-J, Underworld, Damien Rice, Belle & Sebastian, The Strokes, Patti Smith, Tori Amos, Antony and the Johnsons, Ride, Caribou and many (many) others will be playing on the 8 main stages of the festival. 49 concerts can be followed in high definition streaming on both the web and via the festival’s official app. This weekend is also going to be very crowded in the Catalan capital as Primavera Sound 2015 overlaps with two other major events: the final of the Copa del Rey between FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao and the AC/DC concert in the Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys.

Born 15 years ago in a Barcelona basement, since then the Festival has come very far. Held from 2001 to 2004 in the Poble Espanyol - an open-air architectural village located on Montjuïc hill - it was then moved to the current venue as the number of attendees steadily increased over the years. Indeed, from the 8,000 people who took part in 2001, last year the incredible figure of more than 190,000 tickets sold was reached. And for this 15^th edition, the organisers are even expecting to break this record.

The 2015 line-up includes a massive number of international and Spanish artists

'Empieza' (Start!), tweeted the Festival's staff at 5 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. From now on, for three consecutive days international artists from all over the world will be playing on the Festival's stages. Among them will be: the American duo The Black Keys, post-punk band Interpol, the American band The Replacements, visionary Patti Smith with 'Horses', the Scottish indie pop band Belle & Sebastian, the powerful British combo alt-J, the German Einstürzende Neubauten with their experimental rock, the long-awaited return of The Strokes and, among many others, Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice, American hip hop duo Run The Jewels, Canadian electronic musician Caribou, British rock band Ride and American singer-songwriter Antony and the Johnsons.

Besides the extensive international line-up, many renowned Spanish artists will be playing as well, such as: Christina Rosenvinge, Sr. Chinarro and former Antònia Font's leader Joan Miquel Oliver. Among the Spanish bands performing will be: Nueva Vulcano, Los Punsetes, The Suicide Of Western Culture and Las Ruinas.

As usual, a countless number of musical styles will intermingle: from rock to pop, passing through afrobeat, electronic music, tropical psychedelia and flamenco.

The 'full' Primavera Sound event goes beyond a 3-day music session

The three evening sessions at the Forum Park represents the festival's core, when most of the performances will take place. However, some of the events of this 2015 edition have already been held. Indeed, in addition to the 3-day session, the 'full' Primavera sound event also includes other interesting (and mostly free) parallel shows.

For example, Primavera a la Ciutat (in English, 'Spring in Town'), which aims at bringing quality music closer to all audiences. This event includes a series of different shows: the Festival's opening day (a free music concert held on Wednesday); Els Vermuts del Primavera al Parc amb Martini (22 free concerts - partly already over, partly still on - in the Ciutadella Park with the participation of international and local artists); and - among others - Primavera als Barris (a round of free concerts held in different community and youth centres around Barcelona).

Another interesting parallel event is PrimaveraPro. Created in 2010, it is conceived as a meeting point for the music industry, gathering music industry professionals from different countries and different areas within the sector such as labels, booking agencies, promoters, festival programmers, sound system manufacturers, etc.

'All you need to know before coming to Primavera Sound', a guide for the novice

The Festival's organisers have dedicated a page of their website to the thorny issue: 'Everything you need to know before coming to #primaverasound 2015!'. There, the lucky ticket-holders can check information about concert timetables, how to pick up and exchange tickets, location, food and advice for people with disabilities and minors.

According to the page, meals suitable for celiacs, vegetarians and vegans as well as alcohol- and sugar-free drinks will be available at the concerts' venue, as will ATMs. There will also be a recharge point where people will be able to charge their phone battery and buy earplugs to protect their ears if necessary. Finally, for lovers of multitasking, on Saturday the 30^th a screen in the main restaurant area will allow festival-goers to watch the Spanish Cup final between FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao.