More than 100 performances and 150 artists will perform at Sónar by Day, Sónar by Night and Sónar+D between Thursday to Saturday. On the eve of the 29th edition of Sónar Barcelona 2022, we take another look at what the festival programme has to offer in 10 bullet points.


1. Brand new audiovisual shows from three giants of electronic music 

Sónar 2022 will present three huge audiovisual shows from internationally renowned electronic artists: legendary British duo The Chemical Brothers, Berlin trio Moderat and epic French electronic duo The Blaze. Bonobo and Polo & Pan also appear at the festival with new live shows.


2. Sónar by Night: the best current DJs on the world's biggest dancefloor

Sónar will show why it’s the biggest dance floor in the world with a party until dawn featuring some of the stars of global clubbing. Anfisa Letyago, Charlotte de Witte, Or:la, ANNA & Maotik AV show, Richie Hawtin, Eric Prydz and The Blessed Madonna. Reinier Zonneveld also appears live, as will Folamour with his 'Power to the PPL A/V' show..


3. The present and future of Spanish pop music

C. Tangana returns to Sónar as a global star for a huge headline show. Nathy Peluso also returns to the festival to demonstrate why she’s become an icon for a new generation. And representing the sound of the increasingly near future: rap phenomenon Morad: the feminist neo-perreo of Ms Nina; and Simona’s modern, authentic pop. 


4. Two exclusive 6-hour DJ sets with circular surround sound and unique booth splices

SonarCar hosts two 6-hour sessions in  circular surround sound. On Friday, Berlin queer collective Herrensauna XXL bring techno and electro to the ‘club within the festival’. And on Saturday, Kabza De Small x DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) showcase the deep sound of South African amapiano. Plus there’s other exclusive back-to-backs from Yung Singh b2b SUCHI, Jennifer Cardini b2b Perel and Midland & Shanti Celeste. Plus the European premiere of Tiga & Hudson Mohawke’s joint live project Love Minus Zero.


5. Spectacular premieres created especially for the festival

Niño de Elche + Ylia + Banda "La Valenciana": 'Concert de músika festera' will reinterpret the music of Valencia's popular festivals with 80 musicians on stage. Maria Arnal and Marcel Bagés present Hiperutopia, a re-imagining of their album Clamor accompanied by the 36 voices of the Cor de Noies de l'Orfeó Català. Samantha Hudson debuts at the festival with her new live show 'Liquidación Total Por Cierre'. Catalan vocal duo Tarta Relena will also debut an exclusive collaboration with a 16-person choir. And 'Uncompressed', presented by Patreon, brings together synth wizards Hainbach, Look Mum No Computer and Cuckoo for a one-off performance.


6. A revitalised Sónar+D featuring two new stages, and opened to the general public

Sónar+D is integrated into Sónar by Day, and opened to the general public. It features two new stages: Stage+D, dedicated to audiovisually enhanced conferences and multidisciplinary shows, and SonarComplex, which hosts most technologically-minded musical performances. It will also host debates and presentations at SonarÀgora, plus the brand new SonarMàtica by Tezos exhibition area. This year's edition revolves around Web3, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Acoustic Ecology.


7. Creativity on full display with technologically advanced audiovisual shows

Sónar remains faithful to its commitment to artists and proposals that seek to break moulds and amplify frontiers. Arca will debut at Sónar by Night with a new show. SonarComplex features vocal experiments from Lafawndah, Lyra Pramuk and Eartheater; audiovisual shows by Quayola, Martin Messier, and Hamill Industries & Kiani del Valle; and experimental percussionist Eli Keszler. SonarHall will also hosts intriguing live performances by Sega Bodega, IHHH & Desilence, Louisahhh, Amnesia Scanner and Pedro Vian & Mana.


8. The five continents, represented by the most avant-garde electronic club music

Global club music is being reconstructed by a diverse group of artists from all five continents. Another star of South African amapiano, dancer and singer Kamo Mphela, appears at Sónar by Day. DJs Manara and Jyoty represent the sound of the melting pot with radical mixing and unconventional selections. New Zealand's Lady Shaka blends Maori traditions with club experimentalism. Also appearing: Uganda's Nihiloxica; UK rapper Headie One; Germany's Helena Hauff; veeeky presented by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture; Pote and Jamz Supernova from the UK; Uruguay's Lechuga Zafiro; Angolan-Portugese neo-kuduro ambassador Pongo; plus DJ Python and unpredictable selector Avalon Emerson from the USA.


9. The most radical and innovative spirit of the festival on the new SonarPark by DICE stage

SonarPark by DICE will be home to some of the most groundbreaking and risky festive proposals of Sónar by Day. The aforementioned Morad, Simona and Ms Nina will perform there, as well as Rojuu, Juicy Bae, El Bobe, Canary Island rappers Locoplaya, Galician brothers Yugen Kala, and bedroom pop duo mori + rusowsky. A stage that also features veteran DJ Marcelle / Another Nice Mess’ adventurous record collection, Partiboi69’s ghetto-house, Coucou Chloe’s experimental club music  and the metal-tinted mutant dancehall of Scotch Rolex ft. MC Yallah & Lord Spikeheart.


10. SonarExtra: three sound interventions in the heart of Barcelona

The centre of Barcelona will experience SonarWeek, thanks to SonarExtra. The proposed route takes the public to a ‘hyperorgan’ installed by Blancafort OM, Santi Vilanova (Playmodes) and gamut inc. at Palau Güell; an immersive installation by Quayola at the Hotel ME Barcelona; and a sound installation and listening-room by the late Mika Vainio at the Fundació Antoni Tàpies. All the info here.