To our community, artists, audience and partners: 

In the past days, we’ve received a number of legitimate messages and requests from audiences, artists, institutions, and partner organisations. We understand that our lack of a sufficiently clear public response to such a grave humanitarian situation has caused unease and concern. 

At Sónar, we want to explicitly express our solidarity with the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, caught in the midst of an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. We also extend this solidarity to all those who suffer the consequences of violence and the violation of human rights anywhere in the world. We care deeply about—and are affected by—the suffering of thousands of innocent people who endure the cruelty of war, occupation, and genocide, as witnessed by the international community. 

The participation of KKR as an investor in the festival sector has understandably raised questions and caused uncertainty. In 2018, Sónar was acquired by Superstruct Entertainment. In the summer of 2024, Superstruct was in turn acquired by the investment firm KKR, amongst other investors. We want to make explicitly clear that Sónar distances itself from any action taken by KKR. We have no influence over—nor, of course, any control whatsoever—over their investments or decisions. 

Our independence remains intact across all areas that define Sónar’s identity: the artistic direction, management of the festival, and our ethical and cultural commitments, with which we have stood firm over the course of 32 years. 

Since its very first edition, Sónar has been a space for creative freedom, a tool for social transformation in the service of artists and thinkers, and a platform for voices that represent their communities. Protecting and nurturing these spaces of expression, dialogue, and critical thought is more urgent now than ever. We care about and actively understand the necessity of supporting these principles.

Now and always, Sónar is a festival for everyone— a collective space, shaped by many voices, that defends freedom of expression, critical thinking, and reaffirms our commitment to peace, justice, and culture. 


Sónar Festival