Primavera Sound in brief, day 3

As promised, here comes the final post on "our" Primavera Sound Festival (PS) 2019, with the quick summary of what happened in Saturday's 1st, plus a comment on Sunday's 2nd. One more time, let's talk about music!

The Good

Built to Spill: Another box to be checked in this PS, we were finally able to see the Boise band lead by Doug Martsch live. And in a very special occasion, performing the flawless 'Keep It Like a Secret', in what it became an hour of getting completely lost in the sound, during which the Primavera stage transformed in the 'Center of the Universe' for a rapturous while. Not-so-secret, happily.

Best kept secret from Idaho. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Jarvis, making you dance and jump... again
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Jarv Is: It's a no-brainer. If Jarvis Cocker is in the building you go watch what he's about to offer. He's just one of a kind. On Saturday, at Ray-Ban stage he presented his new music adventure, Jarv Is, delivering a set of newbies. Obviously, that made the audience unable to connect fully, but the Sheffield's icon, in our opinion one of the best frontmans ever, can't miss a beat. Promising sounds, theatrical moves, odd, hilarious engagements with the crowd (that Italian guy, freaking out). Jarvis never disappoints.

Filthy Friends: Another mandatory gig, despite taking place on Sunday and having to suffer some trap act (beyond terrible) before two Blog superheroes, Peter Buck and Corin Tucker, took the CCCB stage, alongside the great company of an hyperactive Kurt Bloch, a shiny happy Scott McCaughey and the efficient Linda Pittmon on drums. There were some issues regarding Tucker's vocals (windy afternoon), but the energy and easygoing attitude, plus the strength of the diaphanous rock tunes contributed for a very pleasing afternoon, a nice way to end our PS with a smile.

The mighty friends. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Saturday's holes and mixtures: It was something to be expected. The PS turn towards mainstream, embracing the most commercial side of R&B, latin music, prefabricated pop, reggaeton or trap... took its toll, creating several huge gaps in our schedule during Saturday. Not much to see, if you weren't interested (at all) in the 'New Normal', a situation that is rare (and disappointing) in a Festival with such a great offer. But, in the other hand, maybe we shouldn't complain that much, because the amount of dubious acts were all programmed in Mordor, so we didn't have to visit the most exhausting area of the Festival, avoiding not only the unwanted music, but also the biggest crowds, allowing us to enjoy the ones we want to watch in a much more comfortable way instead.

The Queen
Stereolab: The most anticipated gig of the PS for us (never seen live before), but we must admit the previous excitement (another couple of Blog heroes in Laetitia Sadier and Tim Gane) was mixed with some concerns, regarding the possible clash of their experimental indiepop musik with this "millennial era" of permanent distraction. But the doubts quickly vanished, replaced by a stunning perfomance, rockier than expected, dynamic and energetic, making the audience dance with their komische sounds. Playing in the milky night of Barcelona... 

At the French Disko. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Here are the links of the previous chapters! Day 1 and Day 2

Primavera Sound 2019: my draft schedule

As the tradition obliges, here comes one of our favourite Blog posts! Because the Primavera Sound Festival timetables' were disclosed yesterday, so the time of making our own 'path' trough the line-up has already arrived. At first sight, it doesn't look as promising as previous editions (at least for us, but that's something we knew already, sign of the times and "new normalities") but we know that one of the charms of this festival is to discover new bands... just seems that in this 2019 more than ever!

Wednesday,  May 29th, 
18:00 Melenas (Primavera)
19:10 Hatchie (Primavera)

Just two names we are really interested in for the opening day (sorry, not feeling Big Red Machine that much) but attractive enough to be there for the afternoon...

Thursday, May 30th, Parc del Fòrum
17:00 Julien Baker (Auditori Rockdelux)
18:10 Soccer Mommy (Ray-Ban)
19:00 Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks (Primavera)
21:50 Courtney Barnett (Pull & Bear)
23:15 Interpol (Seat) 
Pretty complete and straightforward day... that could have been wonderful without the clashes, a couple of them being simply terrible: Mr. Malkmus overlaps with half of Big Thief's gig, and Interpol with Guided by Voices. So, though questions to be resolved ahead. Mac DeMarco before Courtney? Mr. Pollard or a band that has returned with a very solid record after a couple of letdowns? Or even considering watching Pylon Reenacment society (also clashing with the aforementioned two)?)

Friday, May 31st, Parc del Fòrum
16:45 Lucy Dacus (Ray-Ban)
17:35 Snail Mail (Primavera)
18:30 Birkins feat Ken Stringfellow play Ziggy Stardust (Your Heineken Stage)
19:35 Kurt Vile & The Violators (Pull & Bear)
22:30 Suede (Ray-Ban)
23:50 Low (Primavera)
00:55 Kate Tempest (Ray-Ban)
Another pretty full day (why is Lucy Dacus starting that early?) with only a gap between Kurt Vile and Suede (right now leaning towards Liz Phair). Not bad on paper...

Saturday, June 1rst, Parc del Fòrum
19:15 Built to Spill (Primavera)
20:15 Me and the Bees play The Breeders (Your Heineken Stage)
22:55 Jarvis Cocker (Ray-Ban)
01:30 Stereolab (Ray-Ban)
If Jarvis doesn't save it (any of you has an idea of what kind of performance will offer to us?) this is a frustrating day. Almost nothing to be excited for until Built to Spill, which overlaps (hope just slightly) with our dear Me and the Bees. There, more emptiness (Drab Majesty?) until the Jarvis' enigma and waiting for Stereolab's time (one of the few must-see of this PS19 for us) with Primal Scream.

Sunday, June 2nd, 
18:20 Filthy Friends (Primavera a la ciutat -Barcelona)
23.30 The Beths (Sala Apolo)
And more frustration to end the Festival. Two big, mandatory acts for us (Peter Buck & Corin Tucker? They should be headliners... ALWAYS), separated by many hours and locations, damn it what a terrible schedule!

Stay tuned for further developments!!

Primavera Sound 2019: first impressions

We're back! Fresh from our break... and surprised with the announcement, almost out of the blue (at least for us, but we are guessing the amount and caliber of certain headliners by certain Festivals within the country might have had something to do) of the Primavera Sound's line-up 2019. So let's dive in...

Labelled as the #NewNormal and heralded as the perfect encounter between the 'state of music', parity and the trademark eclecticism of the Festival, there's a bit to be annoyed for. First, why now? Getting involved in the parity debate looks kind of  'too little, too late'. But hey, better late than never. You are welcome. The worst part, if you ask us, is that there's a feeling of a worrying marketing product created (that video doesn't help) as an excuse to justify a roster that, at first glimpse, lacks some substance and exciting names, replaced by extremely lame (being very polite) and mainstream trends that (product placement alert, product placement alert) behind cool (music genre?) terms such as Urban are eager to sell sneakers, hats, glasses or tracksuits.   

But at the same time, and despite some huge misses that we thought almost granted, like Robert Forster (new album and European tour in Spring), The Chills (one of the records of 2018) and Sharon Van Etten (although I'm very scared of the new album judging by first tunes), there's quite a lot to be excited for, in particular the amazing return of Stereolab, the unexpected gig of Filthy Friends (Primavera, if you are having Peter Buck & Corin Tucker in Barcelona why don't you ask them for more, in any of their multiple incarnations) and the chance of seeing live some of the artists responsible for the best LPs of 2018, like Lucy Dacus or Soccer Mommy.

As always, this is just the Blog's first impression. We are happy it seems this Primavera's edition recovers the traditional vast offer in what regards to the 'middle and small class', so we are certain we are about to 'discover' several proposals to add to 'our' Festival routes. So, all in all, let's honour the Blog’s tradition: here’s our rough paint & colour' version of 2019 line-up with the bands we are willing to see. Suggestions are welcomed and as always, a lot to listen ahead!!

CONFIRMED ARTISTS FOR PRIMAVERA SOUND 2019

27 May - 2 June

070 Shake • Agoria live • Agost • Aïsha Devi • Albany • Aldous Harding • Aleesha • Alice Phoebe Lou • Alondra Bentley • Ama Lou • Amyl and The Sniffers • Anastasia Kristensen live • Anthony Naples live • Apparat live & dj • Avalon Emerson • Bakar • Batu • Bea Pelea • Beak> • The Beths • BFlecha • Big Red Machine • Big Thief • Bliss Signal • Boy Pablo • Brat Star • Bridget St. John • Built To Spill • Carcass • Cardi B • Cariño • Carly Rae Jepsen • Cate Le Bon • Caterina Barbieri • CHAI • Channel Tres • Charli XCX • Christina Rosenvinge • Christine and The Queens • Clairo • Clara! • Dj Coco • Coucou Chloe • Courtesy • Courtney Barnett • Cuco • CupcakKe • Cupido • Cybotron • Dâm-Funk • Danny Brown • Danny L Harle live • David August • Daymé Arocena • Deerhunter • Demdike Stare • Denis Sulta • Derby Motoreta's Burrito Cachimba • Dirty Projectors • Djrum • Dr. Rubinstein • Drab Majesty • Dream Wife • Ecran Total • Efrim Manuel Menuck • Elena Setién • Empress Of • Epsilove • Erykah Badu • Fantastic Man b2b Tornado Wallace • Filthy Friends • FKA twigs • Flaca • Flohio • Forest Drive West • Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes • Frinda Di Lanco • Fucked Up • Future • Gangsta Boo • Georgia Anne Muldrow • Goa • Goth Boi Clique • Guided By Voices • Haru Nemuri • Hatchie • Helena Hauff • Hieroglyphic Being • Homeshake • Hurricane G feat Tony Touch • Ian Isiah • Iglooghost • IM • Interpol • Isa·bel • Ivy Queen • Izabel • J Balvin • James Blake • Janelle Monáe • Japanese • Jarvis Cocker introducing JARV IS • JASSS • Jawbreaker • Jayda G • Job Jobse • Jon Hassell • Joy Orbison • JPEGMAFIA • Julia Holter • Julien Baker • June of 44 • Jungle • Kali Uchis • Kate Tempest • Kelly Kapøwsky • Kodie Shane • Krystal Klear • Kurt Vile & The Violators • La Goony Chonga • La Zowi • Las Odio • Laurel Halo dj set • Lidia Damunt • Lil Moss • Linn Da Quebrada • Lisabö • Liz Phair • Lizzo • Lndfk • Lolina • Low • Loyle Carner • Lucy Dacus • Mac DeMarco • Mad Miran • Mafalda • The Mani-las • Dj Marcelle • María José Llergo • Maribou State • Marie Davidson • Mark Luva • Melenas • The Messthetics • Midori Takada • Mina • Miya Folick • Modeselektor live • Mow • Mozhgan • Mumdance • Mura Masa • Museless • Mykki Blanco • Myrkur • The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices featuring Lisa Gerrard • Nas • Nathy Peluso • The Necks • Neneh Cherry • Nilüfer Yanya • Nina Kraviz • Nitzer Ebb • Nosedrip • Object Blue • Objekt live & dj • Octo Octa b2b Eris Drew • Odina • Overmono live & dj • Pavvla • Peach • Peggy Gou • Dj Playero • Pond • Primal Scream • Princess Nokia • Pusha T • Putochinomaricón • r.e.a.l. • Retirada! • Richie Hawtin Close • Rico Nasty • Robyn • Róisín Murphy • Rosa Pistola • Rosalía • Dj Rosario & Sama Yax • Roza Terenzi • Rrucculla • Shakti Alliance (Ivy Barkakati, Modet, Vir) • Shellac • Shonen Knife • Sigrid • slowthai • Snail Mail • Soccer Mommy • Solange • Somadamantina • Sons Of Kemet XL • SOPHIE • Steffi • Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks • Stereolab • Sticky M.A. • Stiff Little Fingers • Suede • Dj Supermarkt • Suzanne Ciani • Tame Impala • Tierra Whack • Tim Hecker & Konoyo Ensemble • Tirzah • Tomberlin • Tony Touch & Friends (Don Chezina + Soni WithanEYE) • upsammy • Uzielito Mix • Veronica Vasicka live • Vicky Groovy • Voiski live • Wednesday Campanella • Xols • Yaeji • Ylia • Yung Beef dj set • Yves Tumor full band

Green- Definetely seeing them. Absolute must
Orange- If there are no overlaps (in particular with the green ones), I'll be there for sure
Yellow- Curious about it/on "research mode"/nice option if there's no overlap

Best Songs of the Year 2017: 25-1

We made it, here's the final round of our Best Songs of the Year! The last 25 songs of our particular list, one that ranges from consecrated artists and supergroups to rising bands, without forgetting most beloved comebacks and Blog favourites. We encourage you to listen the Spotify playlist below, the songs deserve it. And we do hope you have enjoyed this 'musical tour' as much as we have done preparing it. We are taking some days off starting tomorrow, along with the music, we wish you Happy holidays and New Year. See you in 2018!   

25. The Orielles- Sugar Tastes Like Salt
24. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever- Julie’s Place
23. Milk Teddy- Rock‘n’Roll Cretin
22. Land of Talk- This Tim
21. Spinning Coin - Raining on Hope Street
20. Mick Trouble- Second Offence
19. Kurt Vile & Courtney Barnett- Over Everything
18. Jeremy Neale- Small Talk
17. Aldous Harding- Imagining My Man
16. Rose Elinor Dougall- Colour of Water
15. Sea Blite- Cerulean
14. U2- Red Flag Day
13. The War on Drugs- Holding On
12. Hater- Mental Haven
11. Cayetana- Mesa
10. Last Leaves- The World We Had
9. The Bats- Rooftops
8. Real Estate- Darling
7. Danny de la Matyr-Lines
6. The Luxembourg Signal- Laura Palmer
5. The National- Day I Die
4. Hurray for the Riff Raff- Pa’lante
3. Protomartyr- A Private Understanding
2. Alvvays- In Undertow
1. Filthy Friends- Any Kind Of Crowd

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 136

Day off... music on! Let's begin this slightly longer weekend ahead (much needed) with our flamboyant new TOP TEN JUKEBOX. A playlist heavy on exciting finds, with the return of our beloved Beach Beach and another song of one of our most anticipated releases of the year, Filthy Friends. There's something on that ringing guitars by Mr. Buck himself and, of course, in Corin's throat that will always sound true and meaningful to this humble blogger, even more so in these "times of resistance". Give it a listen and remember, all songs are available at our Soundcloud page (Join Us!).

Direct links to 2017 Jukebox playlists

Week 126  Week 127  Week 128  Week 129  Week 130  Week 131 Week 132  Week 133
Week 134  Week 135

Music to look forward in 2017

A bit later than last year, but a tradition is a tradition. Here are our new year's music wishes! A quick top ten of summary of the music releases/events we're looking forward the most in this 2017.

Stellular's about to land,
the voice is back

1. The year begins with Rose Elinor Dougall’s new album ‘Stellular’, arriving next week. What can we say? It’s been too long without her and I’m pretty anxious to hear it. Please tour Spain, please tour Spain, please tour Spain… Exactly the same can be said with masters The Bats, who will release ‘The Deep Set’ in January 27th. A terrific way to start 2017, musically speaking (no politics in this post or we’ll all get depressed).

2. Two sophomore albums from two mesmerizing bands that you SHOULD see live if you have the chance. After the mighty ‘Land’, Novella returns to action with ‘Change of State’, scheduled for mid-February, with the first tunes setting the bar as high as expected. And Desperate Journalist will follow with ‘Grow Up’, arriving in late March, a record that should confirm them as one of the bands to follow devotedly.

3. Two of the Blog’s most anticipated and awaited albums of 2017 doesn’t have a release date yet, which make us even more impatient to get some update on them. We’re referring, of course to "our" music genius from Boise and most beloved sure-fire, Jeremy Jensen, aka The Very Most. He announced a few days ago details on new music are about to come, yay! The other is a debuting name that has all the numbers to release one of this blogger’s record of the year; Filthy Friends, or the supergroup (usually not my cup of tea) lead by Corin Tucker and Peter Buck, alongside plus Scott McCaughey, Kurt Bloch and Bill Rieflin. Judging from the first glimpses you can hear at the Internet (Todos los Santos’ Festival and first tune ‘Despierta’) expectations couldn’t be higher...

Filthy Friends, let's talk (again) about the passion...

4. Not enough? There’s not a lot of announcements right now, but you can always trust labels like Flying Nun, Shelflife, Jigsaw Records, Slumberland, Matinée, Test Pattern, WWNBB, February Records, Kanine, Fishrider, Merge, Sub Pop, HHBTM, to just name a few. Sure they have prepared a wonderful year of music for us.

Delightful pop stings granted...  

5. In what regards to national releases, 2017 is the year of several personal favourites returning to action. First take, a trio of infallible bands: Me and the Bees, When Nalda Became Punk and Los Punsetes.

6. Want more? Here’s a second take, courtesy of the great label El Genio Equivocado: Cosmen Adelaida, Ghost Transmission and Grushenka. Add the usual wise ears of the folks running labels like Discos de Kirlian, Pretty Olivia or La Castanya (Beach Beach is also back right?) and the year couldn’t look brighter. And yes, I know there’s some band from Granada set to return too...

7. Time for live music now. Our first VIDA! And with my beloved Real Estate presenting new album? All we have heard about the Festival’s vibes are excellent, so we are really excited about going down to Vilanova i la Geltrú!

8. And another Primavera Sound Festival ahead, this time with all the line-up unveiled and several mandatory gigs, as usual: Angel Olsen, Mitski, Julia Jacklin, Hamilton Leithauser, Magnetic Fields (new album)… and, finally (space for the drums rattling, it’s a “big finally") Teenage Fanclub! The wait is over...

22 years after, new waves of sound await us... 

9. What else? Here’s a potpourri of names (concerts, albums, wishes) that come to our minds at the moment of writing this lines. For sure, another Minifestival is scheduled for March, with Cristina Quesada & Andreas Johnson playing in Barcelona (another "big finally"!), plus our dear Linda Guilala, Luke Haines and Neleonard. Will Lisa Hannigan and beloved Beth Orton tour here? Albums from The Luxembourg Signal, Hospitality, The Feelies, Alvvays, Tim Darcy, The Shins, and... Slowdive (is that for real?) should/could arrive. And let us dream about Michael Stipe taking back the mic...

The end of the world is coming soon (and we know it),
so please come back before it's too late <3

10. And, of course (yes, saved for the very last, to keep “the tension”) this is the year of The National’s comeback... Just in time to strike back at the "fake empire" about to arise in Washington D.C...

Granted, many more records, songs, gigs and amazing moments related with music are awaiting us, so let’s 2017 officially (musically speaking) begin!