Best Songs of the Year 2021... so far

Sorry it took us a little longer than expected. Some out of the blue busy days, plus, more recently, being knocked out by the second dose of the vaccine explains it (but no complaints, very happy about it). But as promised in the previous post, with our best records and EPs of the year so far, now it's time to unveil our Favourite Songs from this half of 2021. 40 tunes, again in alphabetical order, with the sole limitation of one song per band/artist, and gathered on a playlist (see below) for your listening pleasure. 2 hours and 23 minutes of wonderful gems, so we hope you enjoy!

Crowded House- Start of Something
Dinosaur Jr.- And Me
Doble Pletina- Algo de lo que Poderme Quejar
Eddie 9V- Little Black Flies
Emily Rodgers- I Will Be Gone
Farewell Horizontal- Doesn’t Matter No One Cares
Full Power Happy Hour- Old Mind of Mine
Hadda Be- Another Life
Holiday Ghosts- Off Grid
Hooveriii- Control
Kings of Leon- The Bandit
Kiwi Jr.- Undecided Voters
Marina Allen- Oh, Louise
Massage- Made of Moods
Matt Berninger- The End
Mogwai- Ritchie Sacramento
Nation of Language- Across that Fine Line
No Kill- Better
Painted Shrines- Gone
Paul Weller- Shades of Blue
Pearl Charles- What I Need
Qlowski- A Woman
Quivers - Hold You Back
Real Numbers- In the End
Ryley Walker- Rang Dizzy
Shame- Water in the Well
Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen- Like I Used To
Steady Holiday - Tangerine
Stephen’s Shore- Skogen
Teenage Fanclub- Back in the Day
The Chills - Monolith
The Lodger- Dual Lives
The Mountain Goats- Mobile
The Tubs- Two Person Love
The Umbrellas- She Buys Herself Flowers
The Weather Station- Robber
Wojtek the Bear- One’s Thing for Certain
Woods- Waiting Around for a New Me

And if you want to check the previous years, click on 2011,2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 selections!

Agenda of Concerts Fall 2016

Here we are again, beginning a new season of concerts! And therefore, in order to honor one of our traditions, here's our personal Agenda of Concerts for this Fall. Luckily, it looks like a really awesome end of year ahead, with the chance to see our beloved Fear of Men or The Wedding Present again, plus exciting newcomers as The Goon Sax or Sunflower Bean (November will be a "busy" month, for sure!). Without, of course, forgetting Primavera Club Festival which, among others, will give us the chance of watching Minor Victories' live (one of our MUSTS for the season). Obviously, we hope to add more proposals soon (September has only started) so we'll have months full of live music! Have a look and see you there!

Best Songs of the Year 2016...so far

Following the best records /EPs list, here's the list with our favourite tunes (trimmed down to 30) of 2016 to date. We have listed them in alphabetic order (remember we rank them at the end of the year), taking in mind only "two rules": songs have been released during 2016, and just one song per group (a really hard decision in some cases). The Spotify playlist (plus some soundcloud links for the ones missing) below the picture, as well as the complete list. Enjoy!

             Click here to check the Spotify playlist!

Adore -Savages

Ámenme, soy un liberal- Nacho Vegas

Ariana- Mercury Girls

Aviation- The Last Shadow Puppets

Baby Blue- Soft Wounds

Coastal California- Maths and Physics Club

Cold to See Clear- Nada Surf

Crooked Cop- Beverly

Crowd- EGO

Different Shades of Blue- The Buildings

Easier Said- Sunflower Bean

El Progreso- Sr. Chinarro

Évoli- Terrier

Full Moon, Hungry Sun- Kane Strang

Infamous- Basia Bulat

La progresión exponencial- Doble Pletina

Lazarus- David Bowie

Moon- Beth Orton

No Woman- Whitney

One Fine Summer Morning- Britta Phillips

Out of control- Lush

Scattered Ashes (Song for Richard)- Minor Victories

Second Skin- Zen Mantra

Squirrel vs Snake- The Posies

Strange Torpedo- Lucy Dacus

The End of Things- Bob Mould

The Wheel- PJ Harvey

Under London Skies- Close Lobsters

Under the Sun- DIIV

We Are Dreamers- Tindersticks

And if you want to check the previous years, click on 2011,2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 selections!

Primavera Sound 2016 in brief, days 1 & 2

Here we are, in the frantic, exhausting (adding some Primavera Pro activities) but always remarkable Primavera Sound Festival days. So, like we always do, here are our quick chronicles of what's going on for us within this 2016 edition. To begin with, the first couple of days, the opening day, Wednesday 1st, and yesterday's first "big one", Thursday 2nd. Let's begin!

The Good

First Day Pro: First time attending, and finding it pretty interesting. Liking the mixture of conferences (I attended a couple on the not very bright future of music journalism with members of Billboard, Stereogum, Pitchfork and Intro) and music (the plan is watching several gigs there). Letting aside the criminal midday sun, the CCCB is a comfortable and interesting place to be.
Núria Graham: Precisely, my first gig at PS16 was Núria Graham on Wednesday... and what an incandescent talent she is! Alone, just armed with her guitar and haunting voice, she can be effortlessly epic, lightweight poppier or St.Vincentnesque in a matter of seconds.

Ms. Graham, young magician. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Spanish indie: Also on Wednesday, our main interest of the afternoon at the Fòrum was my beloved Doble Pletina, who nailed it despite the hour and the huge stage for their minimalistic indiepop proposal. But to my surprise, the real winner of the afternoon (at least for me) was Sr. Chinarro, who managed to deliver a very powerful set, combining some of his expected greatest hits with several strong takes of new album 'El Progreso', that were the real highlights of his show. A veteran glowing.

Sr. Chinarro, still progressing after so many years. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Algiers/Protomartyr: Although their gigs weren't perfect they are two terrific bands. Algiers couldn't beat their mindblowing set at Primavera Club (the bar was so high with what they did at Apolo) but they are such a fierce presence, musically, lyrically, live, you always have to rise the white flag with them. Same can be said about Protomartyr. A very fun mess, with Joe Casey being such a chaotic yet ravishing frontman. Will follow closely.

Protomartyr, indeed it shakes, wildly. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Massification: PS might die due to success. Going to "Mordor" (H&M and Heineken stages) is always a punishment, but this year, even on Wednesday Primavera stage was incredibly full. Can't even imagine what's going to happen today with Radiohead's gig...

El Último Vecino: Sorry, just don't get it. And the live show hasn't improved a single bit...

Primavera Sound on strike: Living pretty far from Fòrum (as almost every person in the city who is not a tourist)? What about having to deal with a combined strike from subway and bus on the days where Primavera takes place? Nice, very nice... Years complaining on how ridicule are the lame transportation options every night of the Festival and now this...

The Queen
Daughter: I really don't qualify as a Daughter fan (not that fond of their records, my previous live experiences with them have been so-so), but what happened yesterday evening at Heineken stage was really something. An incredible mass of people gathered (the whole Mordor esplanade, scary and impressive at the same time, as Elena Tonra pointed out), to listen such a subtle music proposal. It's true that Daughter opted for some "muscle" at times, like the forgettable 'No Care', but the whole majority of the gig was simply arresting, with incredible moments as the surprising, very respectful silence (there's hope! there's hope!) while the quartet delivered 'Smother', the affecting power of 'Human', 'Youth' and 'Numbers' or the dreamy bliss of 'How'. Add that you can't help it but fall for Elena's adorable shyness and you have it: a wonderful, bewitching gig.    

A very joyful Elena. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Brief of the second "big day" of the PS16, Friday 3rd, coming very soon here!

Our Primavera Sound 2016 Playlist

We are about to start another edition of Primavera Sound Festival, so we have prepared a stunning playlist with all bands we are aiming to see in the forthcoming days. We'll keep you posted, see you at the Fòrum!

Primavera Sound 2016: my draft schedule

Time to honour another Blog tradition! The timeables of Primavera Sound Festival 2016 have been revealed, so let's (try) to make our schedule (first attempt). Despite general opinions, this edition is quite far from being a favourite, and the recurring, inevitable, painful overlaps, are going to make it worse (that's why here we have listed only the gigs we believe will see fully). But no complaints, let's "play" and complete the puzzle! This is what our PS 2016 looks like (initial impressions):  

Wednesday, June 1st, Parc del Fòrum

17:00 Doble Pletina (Primavera)
18:00 El Último Vecino (Primavera)
19:00 Sr. Chinarro (Primavera)
20:30 Goat (Primavera)
22:00 Suede (Primavera)

Day without issues... except the bands we really want to watch are just Doble Pletina and Suede, first and last on the schedule

Thursday, June 2nd, Parc del Fòrum
18:00 Algiers (Heineken)
20:00 Daughter (Heineken)
21:30 A.R. Kane (Adidas Originals)
23:45 Protomartyr (Pitchfork)
Troubles begin: Algiers versus Lee Ranaldo. incomplete Julien Baker, Suede clashing with Daughter, clashing with Destroyer, empty until Protomartyr. Pretty disastrous day overall.

Friday, June 3rd, Parc del Fòrum
12:30 Big Summer (CCCB)
13:00 Cala Vento (CCCB)
14:00 Julien Baker (CCCB)
14:30 Cass McCombs (CCCB)
17:30 Aliment (Pitchfork)
18:30 Ben Watt Band (Ray-Ban)
19:05 Titus Andronicus (H&M)
20:00 Savages (Heineken)
21:00 Beirut (H&M)
22:15 Dinosaur Jr. (Ray-Ban) 
23:35 Royal Headache (Pitchfork)
00:25 The Last Shadow Puppets (Heineken)
Could we make it? The challenge is titanic (12 bands, plus Beach House as an additional option after the Puppets) and yet I'm furious there are some tough choices to be made. No Radiohead? Savages of Robert Forster? Lush at the Hidden Stage? Move some of them to Thursday! That's criminal!

Saturday, June 4th, Parc del Fòrum
15:00 Robert Forster (CCCB)
17:00 Bob Mould (Hidden Stage) 
18:40 The Chills (Ray-Ban)
20:00 Brian Wilson (Heineken)
22:35 PJ Harvey (Heineken)
00.50 Julia Holter (Ray-Ban)
And after a terrifying day full of choices, a Saturday quite so-so, with the main clash between Brian Wilson and Richard Hawley. Aside from that, pretty clear...

Sunday, June 5th, Apolo/Sala BARTS
19:30 Mudhoney (CCCB) 
21:00 Black Lips (CCCB) 
Huge questions marks for the closing day, very doubtful we'll make it, we'll see!

Music to look forward in 2016

Can't remember why, but didn't honored another blog tradition on 2015: our new year's music wishes. But this is not going to happen again! So here's our top ten summary of the releases/events we're looking forward the most in what regards to music. 

1. If this is a blog tradition, let's begin with "our" man & most beloved sure-fire: Jeremy Jensen, aka The Very Most, is returning big on this 2016 with 'Syntherely Yours', a collection of synthpop songs from the band, out thanks our dear friends at February Records. The LP features and awesome list of guests including Lisle Mitnik from Tiny Fireflies, Adriano from Postal Blue, Colin from The Smittens, Charles from Math and Physics Club, Thomas from Pale Spectres, Adam from Adam and Darcie, Laz from Bubblegum Lemonade/Strawberry Whiplash,... And there's more...

Most deserved tribute for Ms. Melberg

 2.... Because The Very Most is also taking part in 'Constant and True: A Tribute to the Songs of Rose Melberg', that February Records will release in late Spring. A compilation CD of indiepop artists paying tribute to one of the GREATEST: Rose Melberg and her essential bands (Tiger Trap, The Softies, Brave Irene, Go Sailor, Knife Pleats). Bands like Rocketship, The Smittens, Band a Part, LAKE, Seapony, Marc Elston, are already confirmed, so no wonder why we are already excited...

3. More sure-fires. Eleanor Friedberger returns to action with 'New View' on January 22nd, same day that marks the arrival of 'Adore Life', the sophomore album of Savages. And what can be said about our beloved Basia Bulat and The Divine Comedy returns? The Canadian angel has LP 'Good Advice' scheduled on February 12th, and the always necessary Neil Hannon is giving us some clues his new work will be ready by Spring/Summer. With these two coming up with new songs, the world will be a better place to live in... 

The great Jess Weiss on boards. Fear of Men take 2

4. Despite there's no exact day for the official releases revealed yet, these two might be the most anticipated and awaited new albums of 2016 for me. I'm referring to my dear Fear of Men, that have finished recording their sophomore album, the much awaited follow-up of the terrific 'Loom'. And another band we have a real soft spot for at the Blog, Paolo and Claire, a.k.a Young Romance, which after giving us stunning song after stunning song in several EPs and singles, now jump into the long format with their debut full album. So anxious to hear both... and please do not forget Barcelona on the forthcoming tours this time!

5. In what regards to national releases, 2016 should be the year where favourites of mine come back wth new music. Cosmen Adelaida, Doble Pletina and When Nalda Became Punk (triple YAY!) for sure, but fingers crossed during 2016 we'll see also the follow-up of 'Mundo Fatal' by my beloved Me and the Bees. Expecting new songs by Big Summer and Aries too. And would we have the second album of Boutade this year? Here's hoping for a confirmation... 

Paul & Jacqui, the mighty pop duo, finally in Catalonia!

6. There are three gigs that I'm really excited about. First, and just around the corner, Robert Forster at Apolo presenting his excellent 'Songs to Play'. And two "first times" that I'm so eager will finally take place. Tindersticks in April 14th at l'Auditori. And two days afterwards, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott at Blues and Ritmes Festival in Badalona. Finally! Already nervous, can't hardly wait! 

7. More about live music. Another Primavera Sound Festival ahead. With not a single name announced yet. Expectations are huge as always, so it's time to post/especulate my wish list, right? Check it here. And if it's a disappointment, it might be time to consider moving to another Fest (Bilbao maybe?)

PJ Harvey, ready for shaking the world again

8. Even more & records expected. "Heavyweights" as PJ Harvey, with new record set to Spring that, judging by the info so far, it's going to be a mandatory one (again)... and The National, which are already recording but still without a defined release agenda (testing tunes on the road?) What about The Luxembourg Signal (confirmed by Beth Arzy on Twitter), Hospitality, Rose Elinor Dougall (please, please, please, been waiting for ages!), The Julie Ruin, Slowdive (if confirmed, that would be simply anthologic), Minor Victories (very curious), Peter Buck (what about that super-Earth's project with Corin Tucker? Too good to be true...?) Dum Dum Girls, or The Swapsies? 

9. And for sure infallible labels like Shelflife, Jigsaw Records, Slumberland, Matinée, Test Pattern, Fortuna Pop!, Dufflecoat, WWNBB, February Records, El Genio Equivocado, Discos de Kirlian, La Castanya, Kanine, Fishrider (and others coming from down under), Merge, Sub Pop, HHBTM, to just name a few, have prepared a wonderful year of music for us. 

10. And ending in a more personal note, there's a book on one of my all-time favourite bands, The Go-Betweens, coming very soon on Libros de Kirlian. I contribute on it (thanks for the opportunity Marcos Gendre) with the prologue, which might be one of the most heartfelt pieces I've ever written. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a very special read...

For sure, many more records, songs, gigs and amazing moments related with music are awaiting us. Come on 2016, we're listening you!

Best Spanish Records of the Decade So Far

With the end of 2014, half the decade has now gone, so following the proposal of several magazines   like Pitchfork or NME, we have been thinking about our favourite records of the decade so far (2010-2014), and after a thoughtful deliberation here are the results (let's face it, we love making lists). First of all, the Best Spanish Records of the Decade So Far! 15th albums that, in our opinion, are the highlights of five years with great music in our country. Hope you like it! And stay tuned, the international list is going to appear very soon! 

15. Soundtrack for a Winter's Tale - The Bright
14. Los Últimos Bañistas - Los Últimos Bañistas
13. Reina Republicana - Reina Republicana
12. Disco de Autoayuda para Mutantes - Las Ruinas
11. Escapar con el Anticiclón - Manos de Topo
10. Nihil Obstat- Disco Las Palmeras!
9. Lost Album - Coach Station Reunion
8. Fuerteventura - Russian Red
7. A Farewell to Youth - When Nalda Became Punk
6. Técnicas Subversivas - Grushenka
5. De lo Concreto a lo General - Doble Pletina
4. Fuerza Bien - Mee and the Bees
3. Fruits del Teu Bosc - Renaldo y Clara
2. La Foto Fantasma - Cosmen Adelaida

1. El Mundo Se Va a Acabar - Pauline en la Playa

These Go to 11: interviewing Doble Pletina

Back to groups in our interview series. This week, we are lucky to have Doble Pletina, one of our favourite national bands submitting their answers to our questions. A quick and straight one, but full of pop brilliance anyway. These Go to 11!

Doble Pletina

Doble Pletina, the only tape deck
revival that makes sense

The Barcelona band started in 2010, originally as the duet formed by Marc Ribera and Laura Antolín, once the peculiar covering band Abrevadero called it a day. The buzz about their knack for pop melodies and their witty lyrics started to roll, in particular after releasing 2011 slow-burn hit 'Música para cerrar las discotecas'. After three singles between 2011-2012, in 2013 they released 'De lo Concreto a lo General' via Jabalina Records, crystallizing all the promise into a irresistible pop reality. Smart, fun, intimate and accurate music. Anthems for extremely good-tasted, sensitive and a bit shy pop lovers. Here we go!

Indeed the devil came & together
they went to the disco

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

Jaume: Dover 'Devil came to me'
Marc: Mc Hammer 'Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ’Em'
Laura: UB40 'Promises and Lies'
Francina: Spice Girls 'Spice'

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)
Jaume: First concert: S.A. (Sociedad Alkohólika) / Last one: Moodoïd
Marc: First: Smashing Pumpkins / Last: Los Ganglios
Laura: First: Elton John / Last: Los Ganglios
Francina: First: Els Pets/ Last: Daniel Lumbreras

Surprise! Not the song about a monument

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)Jaume: Hummm… maybe a TV  theme? (Professor Poopsnagle's Steam Zeppelin)Marc: You want us to confess something like 'Agapimu by Ana Belen' or 'Ella o Yo by Rocío Jurado', right? 

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
Jaume: The Pocket Piano Midi! It's so playable that sometimes I fall asleep freaking out with it in bed.
Marc: A couple of singing saws.

Your average wind instrument...

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

Marc: Dory Previn  'Doppelgänger'

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Jaume: Yo la Tengo

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Jaume and Marc: Spark’s 'Propaganda' is unbeatable.

High school's mandatory read

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 

Francina: Books AND Movies! I’m reading 'Mirall Trencat' now (my third consecutive Mercè Rodoreda’s book). The last movie I watched that I would recommend is 'Under the Skin'.

  

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
Marc: 'Es innegable'.

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Jaume: A dead tag, like “punk”. 

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Marc: Hopefully still making songs
Jaume: Under a bridge...

Zillion thanks Doble Pletina!

These Go to 11: interviewing Discos de Kirlian

For our next interview, we move again from musicians to a label owner. This time to introduce you to the man behind (and I mean it, he is a one-man label owner) the lovely Discos de Kirlian, which is a regular of our Spanish section. If you want to talk about indiepop in Spain... ask Òscar. These Go to 11!

Òscar Fernàndez, Discos de Kirlian

Mr.Kirlian, Scottish fiction

Indiepop activist (band and gigs promoter, fanzine creator), Òscar Fernàndez decided that one of the few things he had left to do was creating and indie label. So that's what he did in the summer of 2011, paying tribute to the legendary Spanish band Aventuras de Kirlian (later Le Mans) with its name. Based in Barcelona, Discos de Kirlian (also books) is DIY ethics and aesthetics as its best. Minimal infrastructure and logistics, homemade, very handcrafty production and design, and Internet promotion. And of course, and incredible taste and care. The result? The bands he has/is worked/working with speak for itself: Armistice, Lavandera, Gente Joven, Puzzles y Dragones, Coach Station Reunion, Doble Pletina, Juli Bustamante... One of the best labels in our country.

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

A cassette with Tino Casal first singles

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)  

Loquillo y los Togloditas (My hometown parties) and Barbacoa (29/12/2013).

That's what I call... A MUST

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
More that I would like it. Does Elton John might he be one?

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
Maybe… The Field Mice, "Where'd You Learn to Kiss That Way?" (Shinkansen Recordings, 1998)

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

Belle and Sebastian, "We Rule the School".

Georgia Hubley, Yo La Tengo's 1/3

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Magnanimous nobody. Personal myths as Pascal Comelade, Stephen Pastel, Georgia Hubley or Cat Power.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
"Dioptria", Pau Riba.

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both)
I have read many more books. Any Enrique Vila-Matas's book is a good recommendation.

Lovely logo? Indeed, but
music behind is even better

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
All, indeed, the past ones and the future ones (so many don´t stay) ... I believe that I go away to feeling proudly all.

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Always say the same: indie for my it´s a raison d'être and living, not only in my music, all the moments of my life. To be your same and to travel out of all the established procedure or that want to impose us.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I wait that not very removed of now, probably out of music promoter/label works but with a lot of way “indie life”.

Zillion thanks Òscar!

Best Songs of the Year 2013: 25-1

And here it is. Tthe fourth and last chapter of our favourite 100 tunes of the year, with our Top 25 Songs of 2013. Again, you have the complete (22 tunes) playlist at our newly created Soundcloud page, and if the song isn't available there, you'll have an alternative direct link. Hope you enjoyed the musical ride!

25. Johnny Cash- Coach Station Reunion
24. 2am- Northern Spies
23. Another Game On Saturday- The Swapsies
22. Julie (Come Out of the Rain)- Josh Rouse
21. Honey- Torres
20. Lucky Too- Males
19. If You Still Want Me- Veronica Falls (link to video)
18. Into the Sun- The Proctors
17. El Caminar- Wiggum
16. Teenager- Go Violets
15. If You Were My Captain- Big Summer
14. London Bound- Just Handshakes (We’re British)
13. Terco- Doble Pletina
12. Delphine (With a Purpose)- Trick Mammoth
11. Heavy Feet- Local Natives
10. Methuselah- San Fermin
9. Pink Rabbits- The National
8. Future Vanishes- Rose Elinor Dougall
7. A Ton of Love- Editors
6. Singing Time- Eleanor Friedberger
5. Break It to You Gently- Camera Obscura
4. Husbands- Savages
3. Relevé- Pauline en la Playa
2. Tall Tall Shadow- Basia Bulat
1. This is the Last Time-The National

Click here to check the SoundCloud playlist!

Primavera Sound 2012 in brief, day 2

Doble Pletina. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

And following the first post on the Primavera Sound Festival development here's the second part about what happened on Thursday 31st, now at the Parc del Fòrum.

The Good

Mr Dury. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Spanish twee-pop: I was looking for Doble Pletina's gig, and they didn't disappoint me. On the contrary, I ended their show with the feeling I finally found a band that does justice to twee-pop in Spain. Lovely.
Sound quality: All stages sounded really well. Cheers for that!
Great afternoon: Doble Pletina, Baxter Dury (another nice discovery, they reminded me Blur, and Baxter is a charismatic frontman), Archers of Loaf (I was just making time) and Lee Ranaldo. Diversity, with great sounding and seen in a comfortable way. That offer is what makes the PS unbeatable.
Beirut: A music obligation that I finally saw live. It wasn't a completely satisfying gig, but still, debt paid.
The Bad

Massification: I know that compared with last year's edition this problem has improved, but moving from or to the Mini stage (named Llevant in 2011) is a nightmare when the headliners gigs start. I'm sure I'm not the only who is deciding about the "overlaps" having in mind distances, and in particular, avoiding that stage.
So-so night: Linked with the previous one and what I wrote on the post about the first day. Too much people is just at PS just for the sake of "being there" and is annoying for the ones that are there for the music. Beirut's and Franz Ferdinand's gigs (although for latest one we were keen with the idea of watching it from the distance, in a more relaxed way) were a bit dull due to the combination of masses, tolerable levels of discomfort but many annoying people, constantly chatting or moving around when the song was unknown/known for them.

Hope Sandoval. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

No mercy for the press: That long and very slow queue under the criminal sun was the worst thing ever. Wouldn't be easier to allow the press to pick our accreditation during the previous days, as the rest of the attending public?
Overlaps: Missed The Afghan Whigs, Wilco, Spiritualized due to overlaps. That hurts.
Mazzy Star: Really awaiting for this gig, and it was a complete disappointment. Just my opinion, but to me Hope Sandoval sounded tired and cold. Lifeless gig.

The Queen

Lee Ranaldo: If on Wednesday the "indie myth" I discovered was The Wedding Present, on Thursday I was blown out by Lee Ranaldo. I started checking his album "Between the Times and the Tides" just a couple of weeks before the start of Primavera, and my addiction was growing steadily. But after seeing him playing now I'm totally converted. What a guitar maestro, what a stunning performance. What a great record, to me a crossover between R.E.M's and the softened version of  Sonic Youth's guitar style. Mesmerizing.

Friday's brief coming next!