Pulp and Vampire Weekend make stellar return to Primavera Sound on its first big night

Primavera Sound's first big night kicked off on Thursday with a star-studded lineup.

Thousands of excited festival-goers from all over the world began pouring into Barcelona's Parc del Fòrum in the early afternoon.

The festival's seaside location and warm weather set the perfect atmosphere for fans eager to kick off the party to the sound of the world's best music.

Thursday night's lineup included big names like Pulp, Vampire Weekend, Justice and Peggy Gou, among many others. 

Primavera Sound will welcome between 65,000 and 70,000 people from 134 different countries on each of the three big nights.

Until Sunday, June 2, Barcelona's biggest festival of the year will host 253 shows in 15 different venues.

Stellar return for Pulp and Vampire Weekend

Two of the most anticipated performances of the night were legendary British rock band Pulp and American indie band Vampire Weekend.

The Sheffield-based group, returning to Primavera for the first time since 2011, brought fans to a frenzy with songs like 'Disco 2000' and 'Do You Remember the First Time?.'

Led by their charismatic frontman Jarvis Cocker, Pulp closed the concert with "Common People," bringing some in the crowd to tears.

Vampire Weekend also returned to Primavera after more than a decade. Their last appearance was in 2008 to present their debut album, and they had not performed there again until now.

On Thursday night, the band presented their latest album, their fifth, 'Only God Was Above Us'.

In a stellar, magical and joyful performance, the New Yorkers brought thousands of fans to their feet.

A video of contemporary art and images were projected on the backdrop, including some by Catalan artist Joan Miró.

"We hope to be back in this beautiful place soon," said lead singer Ezra Koenig as he bid farewell to the fans.

Visitors from all over the world

Thousands of music fans from all over the world flock to Barcelona just for Primavera Sound. In fact, most of the attendees each year are from outside of Spain. 

Pip, who has been at the festival twice, loves it because "it is inclusive and diverse."

She also praises the Primavera Sound's location, "by the sea with nice weather."

Josh, who has been five times at the festival, likes it because it is "so friendly and so relaxed" and appreciates the variety of different music in the same space.

"Primavera is everything that Glastonbury is not. It is the best festival in Europe," says James, who is going for the second time.

Ian and Ian, friends from Glasgow who are attending together for the first time, say they have enjoyed it "a lot so far" and are looking forward to seeing Pulp and Lana Del Rey.

"The food, the culture, the weather, the architecture. It is a fantastic city," they say, praising Barcelona.

Catalan representation at Primavera Sound

Like every year, the trendiest Catalan artists were also present on the festival's first big night. 

One of the most anticipated performances was by Renaldo & Clara, an indie pop group from Lleida led by Clara Viñals. A few hundred fans danced to the band's rhythm in the early hours of the festival.

Alizzz, a composer and music producer from Castelldefels known for collaborating with C. Tangana, Rosalía, Becky G, and many more, delivered a vibrant performance at the revolutionary Red Sound Studio, a small stage designed like a music studio.

Mujeres, an indie pop and rock band from Barcelona, thrilled crowds on the main stage of the festival.

Wednesday's unofficial kickoff

The festival opened its doors on Wednesday with a night of free concerts, marking the unofficial start of the festival.

One of the most anticipated performers was Phoenix, the French indie rock band led by Thomas Mars, who presented their seventh album, 'Alpha Zulu'.

Another highly awaited performance, especially for local fans, was Stella Maris, a satirical Christian pop group made famous by the TV series 'La Mesías'.