Primavera Sound 2015 in brief, day 3

No time to waste: here's the third chapter of our Primavera Sound 2015's chronicles. Friday 29th was the 'riot grrrl' day, full of acts to see: from music myths to most promising bands. Did it meet the expectations? Here's the answer...

The Good

Núria Graham: Saw her a couple of years ago at the presentation of a book: a young talent gifted with a mind blowing voice, but playing that sort of folkie-pop tunes seen too many times. But what we found at Pitchfork stage on Friday was something completely unexpected. An artist capable of doing whatever she wants, with tunes that morph into several things in a matter of seconds, from PJ Harvey abrasiveness to St.Vincent experimental approach to indie-rock to James Blake soulfulness. The discovery of the Festival.

Ms. Graham, the surprise of the Festival. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Ex Hex: 'Rips' was one the best albums of past year, as fun, playful and addictive as rock should be. And that's exactly what the trio formed by Mary Timony, Betsy Wright and Laura Harris delivered at Pitchfork stage. Impossible not to smile with the guitar riffs, the rock-hero poses and the unstoppable strength of their tunes. We love you Mary Timony.

Ex Hex, rock goddesses. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Damien Rice: We only saw about the second half of his show, but it was simply tremendous. All alone at Primavera stage he sounded immense, thunderous, gigantic. What a difference compared with the Black Keys on Thursday!

The Bad

Hidden stage: This interesting, appealing idea can improve. It's ok tickets have to be picked on a specific time and after they are gone, they are gone. But it doesn't make much sense to place the time to collect the tickets just before the gig itself. Or the queues afterwards. Anyway, once inside we were eager to see The Pastels... but the gig didn't meet the expectations. Maybe the venue (there's a wall boxing one of the sides of the stage, weird), or maybe the band, don't know, but although not saying it was a bad one, it was a bit mumsy, lifeless.

Hidden afternoon with The Pastels. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Julie Ruin: Seeing Kathleen Hanna live was, undoubtedly, one of the highlights of the Festival. And, in that sense, the show was something to remember. She is magnetic, an uncontainable force at stage. But the sound was awful (it's punk I got it but still), and her voice quite so-so, so despite the fun and straightforwardness of 'Run Fast', the show was, frankly, disappointing.

The one and only, Kathleen Hanna. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Ride: Impeccable and sounding good all the gig but not very moving (maybe the people at the front rows have a different opinion). Slowdive's show last year was intense and emotionally charged. Can't say the same about Ride's performance.

Hearing beautiful noises with Ride. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen

Sleater-Kinney: Can't compare with the extraordinary show we were fortunate to attend in Paris a couple of months ago, but still, at Heineken stage they put a show to ratify what Sleater-Kinney means. Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss are stage beasts. No matter they play new tunes or classics, they throw all they have in every song. They are honesty, intensity and truth every single second performing. They are simply one of the best bands out there, and they demonstrated, once again, at Primavera Sound. The finale, with 'Dig Me Out', 'Entertain' and (yes, yes, yes) 'Modern Girl' can't be beaten.

Sleater- Kinney, the definition of a power trio. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

One more "big day" to come, Saturday 30th's chronicle about to arrive!