Primavera Sound 2019 in brief, day 1

We are quickly approaching the final stretch of Primavera Sound Festival (PS) 2019! So, while we try to recharge some batteries before the long Saturday (we never learn, don't mix work and Festival, folks), we are to ready to begin with the first post of our traditional quick chronicles of what are we experiencing there. What follows is our take of Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th. Let's go!

Long-haired and hyper-addictive indiepop from the North.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Good

Melenas: In a year where indiepop has been clearly neglected, to begin the Festival with such a wonderful band became kind of a statement... aside from 45 minutes of fun. The band from Pamplona has everything: guitars, melodies, knockout choruses, and that ease at stage that can be disguised no matter how many hats, jewelry or poses you can't ... if you haven't got tunes. Instant love.

Malkmus and Co., sparkling hard. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Mr. Malkmus: Didn't have very good memories of our previous experience with Stephen Malkmus (a Primavera Club show, quite a looong ago). But at Primavera stage on Thursday we were able to remove that thorn in our side. Defending their fantastic latest album 'Sparkle Hard' (love 'Solid Silk' and 'Middle America'), Mr Malkmus (celebrating his birthday) and the Jicks were rockier, groovier and goofy all the way. A pleasant, enjoyable gig from start to finish. Monkey off our backs...

The Bad

New normalities: It's the DEBATE, in capital letters, around PS: has the Festival sold its soul? Or it's just embracing the sign of the times in music? If you somewhat follow this Blog you should easily guess we clearly incline ourselves for the first question. We could discuss it for hours, but to summarise it: PS is now following the trend of "catch-all" festivals, meaning mainstream music has to be a very meaningful part of it. The difference is PS still tries to hide that turn in the discourse, pretty elaborated, of the "New Normal". But when you just get into the Parc of Fòrum and realise the record fair and flatstock (posters fair) have been replaced by a Pull & Bear store (and Idealista and Ikea are also Festival brands, note the irony when housing it's by far the biggest, poignant and shameful, problem of the city) is easy to see for yourself what the new reality is...

Welcome to the "new & normal" Primavera Sound mall. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen
The female assault: Not everything in the "PS move" is negative or dubious. As a matter of fact, there's one conscious decision, no matter if it has arrived a bit too late, that has to be praised. Of the eight first acts watched in the two days of PS, six were completely female or female fronted/leaded, a trend that has followed (you'll see) during the whole event. In that initial batch of gigs Julien Baker and Soccer Mommy gave solid, almost flawless performances... but we have to highlight Bridget St John and Courtney Barnett shows. The veteran folksinger achieved moments of pure magic (that rendition of Dylan's classic "Just Like a Woman", these meaningful lyrics still so valid today), while our beloved young Australian took the clothing stage by a storm with a heavyweight performance, offering so much electricity and grit that was capable to overcame the chatters and posers (a.k.a the usual suspects) gathered in Mordor.

Sometimes Courtney charms you and kills it, and sometimes she just kills it.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Stay tuned, the second chronicle of the PS19, covering Friday 31st, is just around the corner!

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

Agenda of Concerts Fall 2017

Here we are again, ready to begin a new season of concerts! Keeping with one of our traditions, here's our Agenda of Concerts for this Fall. As you could see, there is a name (and a place) that stands out from the rest. YES, we will be in Lisbon seeing The National and their new tunes! But there´s more, with some exciting gigs listed like our beloved Luna, Father John Misty, plus some additional 'bonus', bands that we have discovered this year, like Marika Hackman or Aldous Harding. Not bad for the first three months of the season, right? Obviously, this is a making in progress agenda and we hope to add more proposals soon. Have a look and maybe see you there!

SEPTEMBER
Monday 18th - Molly Burch at Fabra i Coats
Friday 22nd – Girlpool at BAM Festival
Friday 22nd –Marika Hackman at BAM Festival
Renaldo & Clara at BAM Festival

OCTOBER
Wednesday 11th – Luna at Sala Bikini
Friday 20th - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart at Sala Bikini
Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd – Primavera Club Festival*

Saturday 28th - The National at Coliseu dos Recreios (Lisbon)

NOVEMBER
Satuday 4th – BIS Festival at Espai Jove Les Basses
Tuesday 7th - Aldous Harding at La [2]
Tuesday 14th - Spoon at Sala Apolo*
Wednesday 15th- Algiers at Razzmatazz 2*
Saturday 18th - Father John Misty with Weyes Blood at Razzmatazz

Sunday 19th- Julien Baker at La [2]

Listed in yellow. gigs we have doubts about or we have to look into (Primavera Club has just unveiled its line-up)

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 130

Did you think we have forgotten our weekly dose of new music? No way! So, here's its the second round of our TOP TEN Jukebox, with some of the songs we are enjoying the most in this beginning of the year (do not miss the stunning comebacks of Julien Baker or Diet Cig). PLUS, and it's a big plus (dare we say one of the biggest) the first new tune of (ratlle, snare, hum) of Slowdive!!! You'll see/hear, a lot to 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

Primavera Sound 2016 in brief, day 3

Here comes the second of our quick chronicles of how is Primavera Sound 2016 developing for us. After the first post devoted to Wednesday and Thursday, it's time for what many stated as the main on this edition, Friday 3rd (also known, not our case though, as the 'Radiohead day'). Keep the music coming!

The Good

A ton of good music: That's why Primavera Sound can't be beat. Yesterday in a journey that could have lasted longer (options were everywhere) I manage to see 11 gigs (9 in full).
Primavera a la Ciutat/Day Pro (part II): Like on the previous briefing, I began the day at midday at CCCB, having the chance of seeing live 3 acts and attending a conference. And what a trio of great live shows they were! Big Summer put a flawless, rock-solid show as expected (check their latest album 'Trigger', you won't regret it). Julien Baker was terrific in her disarming, affecting solo offer (can't believe her age). And Cass McCombs showed his range as musician on a gig that deserved much more time. Fabulous way to head into the Fòrum.

Julien Baker, blossoming folk. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Glimpses of brilliance: On a day so stocked with music it's hard to choose particular acts, and several concerts had memorable moments. The crazy fun that is watching Titus Andronicus (The Pogues meeting The Clash) and Royal Headache (what a collection of effervescent, immediate tunes Shogun and Co. have already) live. Beirut's 'Postcards from Italy' and 'The Riptide'. The glorious interpretation of 'The Age of the Understatement' from the Puppets. Savages' Jehnny Beth giving all that she has inside, once and again, to reach the audience...

Jehnny Beth honouring the local "castellers" tradition. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

High and higher with Royal Headache. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Dinosaur Jr.: Yep, we missed Radiohead. But we don't regret it one bit, thanks to Mascis, Barlow and Murph. It was a stormy set. Fierce, epic, straight to the jugular. An hour of guitars, distortion, feedback and throwaway classics. A blast.

The Bad

Massification (part II): "Mordor" (H&M and Heineken stages) was already appalling on previous editions, but this year is simply excruciating. Armies of people just wandering around, transformed into a cast of zombies (alcohol without measure has never been a good idea), and getting anxious when the "big name" approaches. Avoiding both stages much as possible has become a pretty clear strategy, which is quite sad...

The Queen
Ben Watt Band: Didn't know what to expect really... a gig too quiet for Ray-Ban stage and a Festival audience probably? Luckily, how damn wrong I was. Gentle and moody yet on full electric mode, on a combination that, at her rockier moments, didn't sound very far from The War On Drugs or Kurt Vile. Of course, Ben was in such good company it's easy to understand how impeccable was the sound of the gig. Kudos in particular to Bernard Butler, terrific in his guitar playing without going flashy or bombastic, just adding what the tunes needed. 45 minutes of wonderful musics played by truly talented musicians.

Butler & Watt, guitar-driven to wonder. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Brief of the third and last "big day" of the PS16, Saturday 4th, arriving tomorrow!

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!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 97

This weekend we are headed to another edition of BIS Festival, so the expectations of discovering new and exciting national bands are high. Besides, tomorrow's event marks the beginning of a couple of months full of gigs and other relevant activities, so we needed a pretty stunning soundtrack to gave us the much needed impulse to "start kicking all cylinders". A soundtrack, our regular TOP TEN Jukebox, overloaded with great tunes from groups fated to blow your mind (and ears) off. Don't miss it and remember: all songs are listed at our Soundcloud page (Join Us!).

Direct links to 2015 Jukebox playlists

Week 36  Week 37  Week 38   Week 39  Week 40  Week 41  Week 42 Week 43   Week 44  

Week 45  Week 46  Week 47   Week 48  Week 49   Week 50  Week 51   Week 52  Week 53   

Week 54   Week 55  Week 56   Week 57  Week 58  Week 59   Week 60 Week 61  Week 62 

Week 63  Week 64  Week 65  Week 66   Week 67   Week 68  Week 69   Week 70  Week 71  

Week 72   Week 73  Week 74   Week 75 Week 76   Week 77   Week 78  Week 79   Week 80

Week 81   Week 82   Week 83  Week 84  Week 85  Week 86   Week 87   Week 88  Week 89

Week 90   Week 91   Week 92  Week 93  Week 94  Week 95   Week 96

Discoverer 138: new indie findings

Three gigantic female musicians proposed to you in our today's discoverer series. Keep it coming!

Eskimeaux. We begin in Brooklyn, NY, to meet Gabrielle Smith and her arresting music. Founding member of The Epoch, an art and songwriting collective, around 2007 Smith began to use the Eskimeaux moniker in 2007, releasing in diverse formats experimental and noise albums through 2008 and 2010. Her music production keep increasing as well as her sound was developing over the years, like the moody and gorgeous LPs  'Two Mountains', out in 2011 (and re-released by Yellow K Records last year), and 'Eskimeaux' in 2012, where subtle and darker electronic music found her way. But the best was yet to come, arriving last year with the mind-blowing bedroom pop record 'O.K.', out via Double Double Whammy Records, a haunting collection of modern, disarming, soothing, utterly affecting folk-pop tunes. Now the expectations couldn't be higher for forthcoming album 'Year of the Rabbitt', scheduled for April and, judging for the first couple of songs available, the confirmation Gabriell Smith's music is fated to be very close to you.

Two White Cranes. Jump to Bristol, UK, in order to meet Roxy Brennan, a musician active for more than a decade now, mostly known as a member of Joanna Gruesome, Grubs and Trust Fund. But she also has another project, one that under this moniker reveals a softer but still bursting side, warm and intense, approach to folk-pop. First songs surfacing at her bandcamp in 2013, but her official debut, in the form of a self-titled album, arrived in September 2014 via Stitch-Stitch Records. In August 2015 she released sophomore LP 'Radisson Blue' through Odd Box Records to overwhelming praise. Raw, pure and honest blend of indiepop and folk, heartfelt and melancholic. A thing of beauty.  

Julien Baker. And we end in Memphis, Tennessee, to meet this very young singer-songwriter and guitarist. Born in Murfreesboro, she learned guitar and got interested in punk music, forming the alternative  rock quartet Forrister (previously The Star Killers) alongside Matthew Gilliam in 2010. While performing with Forrister, she met musician Ryan Azada, who introduced her music to 6131 Records. Later on, while Baker was in her freshman year at MSTU left the band and began writing her own songs, First songs appeared at her bandcamp in an EP form in the winter of 2014, becoming the bulk of her debut studio LP 'Sprained Ankle', out since October 2015 through 6131 Records. Heavy tunes, full of emotions delivered thanks to the spare instrumentation, yet hard-hitting, arresting vocals, plus a very rare, genuine and intimate connection with the listener. Looking forward to her gig at forthcoming Primavera Sound.