Because we don’t all dance to the same beat, Sónar by Night has something for everyone this year. From stadium-sized shows in SonarClub to the cutting-edge of dance music at a brand new SonarLab x Printworks, here’s our guide to what you can’t miss this year.
Signature shows
Shows that you have to see at Sónar by Night
On Friday night, legendary French duo Air touch down at SonarClub with to play their cult album Moon Safari, backed by a full live band. Or, you can sample enigmatic UK rapper CASISDEAD’s mix of street narrative and retro-futuristic synth-pop at SonarLab x Printworks. Jessie Ware is a modern disco diva: catch her spectacular show, before heading back to SonarClub for an emotional Ben Böhmer live show. Finally, return to SonarPub to hear Canadian beatmaker Kaytranada’s premiere material from his forthcoming album Timeless.
On Saturday, start with Paul Kalkbrenner’s epic live show: it will feel even bigger on the SonarClub soundsystem. Vince Staples is one of the best live performers in hip hop: see him perform tracks from his new album Dark Times plus plenty of classic material over at SonarPub. Later on the same stage, enjoy a brand-new show from Floating Points: the veteran UK producer pairs finely crafted electronic music with incredible visuals. KI/KI is leading a new wave of trance producers: she plays a rare live set in front of the 6x10 metre screen at SonarLab x Printworks.
Pioneers and originators
Educate yourself in dance music history
On Friday, lose yourself in Richie Hawtin’s brand-new live set DEX EFX X0X in SonarClub. Designed to recreate the feel of clubbing before giant screens and lasers, it’s a back-to-basics show with immersive audio and lighting. To end the night, choose between legendary New York house artist Danny Tenaglia at SonarPub or female drum’n’bass originators DJ Flight & MC Chickaboo at SonarLab x Printworks.
On Saturday, Octave One bring the underground sound of Detroit to Sónar by Night: you don’t want to miss techno’s master craftsmen live at SonarLab x Printworks. To close Sónar by Night 2024, there’s a special treat for house-lovers and dance music historians: Kerri Chandler plays an entire set of house, disco and funk on his collection of reel-to-reel tapes, in tribute to the pioneers of clubbing.
Superstar DJs
Dance to the sound of the biggest names in electronic music
With their Thursday party at OFFSónar completely sold-out, Friday is the only chance you have to experience Adriatique’s stadium-sized melodic techno in Barcelona this summer. DJ Tennis has soundtracked countless Mediterranean summer nights: catch the eclectic Italian selector at SonarPub. And make sure you stick around for hard dance’s new enfant terrible, VTSS, who'll close SonarClub with a typically fun and relentless session.
On Saturday, go from 0-60 with Charlotte De Witte as she brings her fast and furious AV show ‘Overdrive’ to SonarClub. Marlon Hoffstadt aka DJ Daddy Trance is putting the fun back into dance music: stick around for trance edits, eurodance, and hard house. After that, acid techno maverick Reinier Zonneveld keeps his foot on the accelerator for a typically punishing live set. Or head outdoors to SonarPub, where New York-Ibiza house legends The Martinez Brothers will play until dawn.
The global underground comes to Barcelona
From Buenos Aires to Melbourne, and from San Francisco to Sevilla
On Friday, the global latin diaspora comes to SonarCar. Local FLINTA collective Me Siento Extraña was founded by Venezuela DJ Verushka: she opens for the reigning queen of ‘treggaeton’, La Goony Chonga. Joining them is Argentina-via-Mexico DJ and producer TAYHANA, for a hard, fast and wild edition of her Club Latinx party, with help from Simona, Slim Soledad, and Mare Advertencia. Stay until the end for an all-Andalucia back-to-back from recent Sónar favourites GAZZI and DALILA: expect plenty of breakbeat.
If you’re in the mood for something more classic, Eliza Rose b2b Dan Shake b2b Sally C, play every shade of house music at SonarLab x Printworks, while Jennifer Cardini and HAAi could play anything from post-punk to psychedelia at SonarClub. Rising star salute appears at SonarLab x Printworks: we’re sure you’ll love his infectious, euphoric mix of UK garage and house music. Make sure you save some energy for C.FRIM b2b BAMBII: their borderless club music goes from dancehall and dubstep to gqom and club-ready r&b.
Saturday starts with Iranian-American producer Sepehr’s unclassifiable, freaky psychedelic live set at SonarLab x Printworks. And who knows what will happen when radical collective Club Cringe take the stage at SonarCar: Mosh pits? Theatrical readings? AI-generated gabber? Afterwards stick around for Soto Asa’s slow-motion, zen-mode reggaeton, or head back to SonarLab x Printworks for cutting-edge techno, electro and more from Marie Montexier b2b Mor Elian. We can’t think of anyone better to close SonarLab x Printworks this year than JASSS: the underrated Spanish artist specialises in eclectic yet refined dance music.
Not got your ticket yet? There’s no time to lose: buy your Sónar by Night Pass (including both Friday and Saturday) or individual Friday/Saturday Night ticket here.