Sónar returns to its usual dates in June, with a multifaceted, global line-up that brings together marquee names from the contemporary club scene, much loved electronic and experimental artists and cutting edge voices from the worlds of trap, rap and the global beats panorama.
Electronic Superstars with shows to match
One of the most eagerly awaited, and much requested, returns to Sónar comes in the form of legendary electronic duo The Chemical Brothers, presenting the Spanish debut of their spectacular new live show.
Another exclusive, this time worldwide comes from THE BLAZE, performing their only live show of 2020, an audiovisual experience true to the cinematic nature of their project, uniting live electronica and filmmaking. Similarly anticipated is the return to Sónar of progressive house superstar Eric Prydz, whose technologically advanced live shows are an event unto themselves.
When it comes to djs, we're especially proud to welcome DESPACIO to Sónar by Night for the first time. Taking over SonarCar for 6hr sets on consecutive nights, the one of a kind circular hi-fi soundsystem helmed by James Murphy and 2manydjs is set to be another unmissable high point of the weekend.
Elsewhere, the biggest names in dance music will appear across every stage with sets from Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Laurent Garnier, Helena Hauff, Âme, Joy Orbison, Charlotte de Witte, Avalon Emerson, 2manydjs and The Black Madonna, closing the festival on Saturday night with one of her essential, celebratory sets.
Also, don't miss Lost Souls of Saturn, which sees tech house superstar Seth Troxler explore another facet of his creativity as part of a live a/v duo with respected sound engineer Phil Moffa.
From tech shows to techno
Though no stranger to Sónar, Arca has never performed at Sónar by Night. All that changes in 2020, as the most radically innovative artist of our time presents the exclusive debut of his new show at Sónar's epic night venue. Expect to have your preconceptions challenged and your prejudices overturned in a performance that will unite provocation with technological proficiency, art with heart.
Sónar 2020 also hosts the unexpected return to the stage of Telefon Tel Aviv, as well as new shows from Mura Masa, experimental art-rock group Battles, and the return of the era defining electronic duo TNGHT formed by Hudson Mohawke and Lunice). Other innovative names in electronic music come in the form of high concept performances from Sega Bodega and Giant Swan, whose abrasive noise-punk has been one of the years' discoveries.
Sonic experimentation meets technological boundary pushing in this years' tech shows, capped off by the large scale debut of Max Cooper's Yearning for the Infinite - in its biggest venue to date. Young visionary producer Koreless also breaks his relative public silence since his 2016 Sónar show, following up writing and production duties for fka twigs with his debut album, and a performance that will see him unite once again with set designer Emmanuel Biard. Also unmissable is Ryoichi Kurokawa's Subassemblies piece which sees the artist employ LIDAR scanned environments and generative audio to stunning effect.
For fans of house and techno at both it's most experimental and uplifting, the line up is fully stocked, with the likes of Joy Orbison, KiNK, Âme, DJ Python, ANNA (a recent addition to Richie Hawtin's stable of artists) and La Fleur to name a few.
Many of these artists find their natural home at the SonarLab by Resident Advisor stage, with Midland b2b Shanti Celeste, Project Pablo, Skee Mask, Avalon Emerson, Project Pablo and Helena Hauff all performing across the two nights of the festival.
Rap, trap, drill and dembow
Sónar 2020 has not one but two of the UK's most successful rappers on this years line up: the charismatic and overly talented Dave presenting his Mercury Prize winning LP Psychodrama, and his one time sparring partner and peer AJ Tracey, whose catchy and inescapable garage tinged banger Ladbroke Grove, was one of the hits of late summer. Other UK sounds on the bill come courtesy of drill artist and go to collaborator Headie One, and Garage revivalist Conducta whose 2020 promises to be even bigger than his 2019.
Sónar also welcomes the return of one of the finest MC's in recent years Princess Nokia, with a new LP, reprising her slot at SonarVillage by Estrella Damm.
Exciting new sounds from around the world come courtesy of the Uruguayan artist Lechuga Zafiro, Kelman Duran's instrumental dembow, or the genre smashing skills of GHE20G0TH1K's Venus X.
African and diaspora sounds are also celebrated with Uganda's psychedelic drum troupe Nihiloxica, neo-grime from MC Yallah & Debmaster, Congolese-french singer Lous and the Yakuza - set to be one of the breakout stars of the year - and Palestinian techno dj Sama'.
SonarXS comes of age
After 3 years as one of the most successful small stages at Sónar by Day, SonarXS moves location and expands its mission as a springboard for local and international talent from the fringes. This year the stage presents Spanish trap and reggaeton from Morad, Afrojuice195 and Miss Nina, as well as unclassifiable strains of street derived music from the likes of Chenta Tsai - Baobae, Califato ¾ or Kaydy Cain with his new project Salsa Dura. Also performing will be afro-pop group Egosex and, perhaps the spiritual fathers of the stage - Hidrogenesse, returning with a new LP.
Special mention for two other absolute premieres at the festival. Niño de Elche will present his new project to review the sound legacy of José Val del Omar, experimental filmmaker and mystical genius, together with three of the most relevant young artists of the state electronic scene: Mans O, Shelly and Nara Is Neus. For their part, the duo Maria Arnal and Marcel Bagés, following the huge success of their debut album, will be releasing their much awaited second live album, which includes electronic beats, synthesizers and collaborations with important figures from the national and international electronic scene. The performance that will bring together pianist Carles Viarnès and visual artist Alba G. Corral is also very special.
From today, Thursday 16th January, the Sónar 2020 SonarPass can be purchased in up to 3 instalments. You can also get now your 2-Night VIP ticket. The price of SonarPass and SonarPass VIP tickets will change on February 6th.
Tickets available here.
Check all the Sonar programming here.
