Primavera Sound 2020: first impressions

2019 is over. Lists are over... and here it comes (finally) the heavily anticipated announcement of the Primavera Sound's line-up for 2020. Gone is the tricky label #NewNormal, so let's welcome the #BestFestivalForever... Or it is, really?

At first glimpse, it seems way better than last year. Yes, the traditional eclecticism of the Festival turned into its Coachellisation and the embrace of the so-called urban music is here to stay. But there's plenty to see, with an exciting 90s revival (Pavement, Yo La Tengo, Dinosaur Jr., Kathleen Hannah and Ms Gordon altogether) and some wonderful surprises, particularly Mavis Staples and Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, absolute musts of the Festival for this Blog. Add "surefires" among the headliners, such as The National, or among the 'small class', such as Jessica Pratt or Fontaines D.C. and the result is an edition that, at least on paper, looks happily stacked.

But is there something really special, something that really blows our minds and justifies the promotiong of the Festival as very special edition (20th anniversary of Primavera)? Not to our knowledge/tastes, aside from the aforementioned hero from Hull, to be honest. Moreover, there's the feeling of several painful misses that could have elevated this edition to undeniably one of the best. If you allow us to name a few: Sleater-Kinney, Sharon Van Etten, Julia Jacklin, Vivian Girls, Tiny Ruins (or any of the wonders from 'down under', a familiar, recurring pain), Better Oblivion Community Center, Wilco, Crowded House or Tindersticks (bands that are playing in Barcelona this year for the price of your mortgage)... Plus, there's the fear too much Mordor awaits us compared with the latest, pretty comfortable editions, and that some acts we really want to see, namely Jesus and Mary Chain or Rolling Blackouts are playing on Wednesday. And even more scary than the previous: overlaps could be particularly devastating this edition.

But there's no point wasting much time complaining about what could have been... As, we insist, the overall first impression is pretty positive, taking in mind, as always, there's always something to discover among the vast 'middle and small class' offer to add to 'our' Festival routes. Having said that, let's honour the Blog’s tradition: here’s our rough paint & colour' version of 2020 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 2020

3 June - 7 June

100 GECS •33EMYBW •ABBATH •AEAEA •AFRODEUTSCHE •AGORAPHOBIA •AKASHA KID •AMAIA •AMELIE LENS •ANIKA KUNST •ARTHUR VEROCAI •AURORA HALAL •AUTOMATIC •BAD BUNNY •BAD GYAL •BAUHAUS •BEACH BUNNY •BECK •BEN UFO •BICEP LIVE •BIG FREEDIA •BIGKLIT •BIKINI KILL •BILL CALLAHAN •BISCUIT •BLACK COFFEE •BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD •BLACK LIPS •BLACK MIDI •BLAWAN •BLOND:ISH •BOY HARSHER •BRITTANY HOWARD •BROCKHAMPTON •BUTTECHNO •C. TANGANA •CALL SUPER B2B SHANTI CELESTE •CARIBOU •CARISTA •CARLA •CAROLINA DURANTE •CAROLINE POLACHEK •CHAOS IN THE CBD •CHAQUETA DE CHÁNDAL •CHROMATICS •CIGARETTES AFTER SEX •COMA •CRUDO PIMENTO •CUBAN DOLL •D. TIFFANY •DAVE P. •DESIRE •DIE KATAPULT •DIIV •DINOSAUR JR. •DISCLOSURE •DJ COCO •DJ FRA •DJ HARVEY •DJ KELVIN •DJ LIZZ •DJ NARANJITO •DJ PLAYERO •DJ SHADOW •DJ WHOISDUALIPA •DUKI •EARL SWEATSHIRT •EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN •ELA MINUS •FATIMA YAMAHA •FAYE WEBSTER •FERRAN PALAU •FLOATING POINTS •FONTAINES D.C. •FREDDIE GIBBS & MADLIB •GABBER MODUS OPERANDI •GABRIELA RICHARDSON •GEORGIA •GIRL IN RED •HANNAH DIAMOND •HEALTH •HÉCTOR OAKS •HELADO NEGRO •HICKEYS •HONEY DIJON •IGGY POP •IOSONOUNCANE •ISABELLA •IVY BARKAKATI •JAKUZI •JAMILA WOODS •JANE FITZ •JAWBOX •JEFF MILLS •JEHNNY BETH •JENNY HVAL •JESSICA PRATT •JOAN SHELLEY •JOHN T. GAST •JOSEY REBELLE •JOYHAUSER •JULIETTA FERRARI DJ •KACEY MUSGRAVES •KAMMA & MASALO •KAMPIRE & DECAY PRESENT BUNU BOP •KANO •KHALED •KILLAVESI •KIM GORDON •KIM PETRAS •KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD •KING KRULE •KING PRINCESS •KOFFEE •KURT VILE •L DEVINE •LA FAVI •LANA DEL REY •LAS LIGAS MENORES •LAWRENCE LE DOUX •LE HAMMOND INFERNO •LE NAIS •LEON VYNEHALL •LES AMAZONES D'AFRIQUE •LES SAVY FAV •LIGHTNING BOLT •LILA TEQUILA •LINGUA IGNOTA •LITTLE SIMZ •LORENA ÁLVAREZ •LORENZO SENNI •LORY D •LOS HIJOS DE YAYO •LUNA KI •MABEL •MAGGIE ROGERS •MANEL •MANO LE TOUGH •MARIA DEL MAR BONET •MARIAH THE SCIENTIST •MARTHA •MASSIVE ATTACK •MAVIS STAPLES •MECÁNICA POPULAR •METRONOMY •MICA LEVI •MIKE DRED •NAPALM DEATH •ÑEJO •NINA KRAVIZ •NOGA EREZ •NORSICAA •NÚRIA GRAHAM •OKLOU •OM •OSCAR MULERO •OTOBOKE BEAVER •PABLLO VITTAR •PALOMA MAMI •PANTOCRATOR •PARK HYE-JIN •PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ABBOTT •PAVEMENT •PELADA •PENELOPE ISLES •PILE •PNL •RAPSODY •RICHARD DAWSON •RINA SAWAYAMA •ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER •ROMBO •ROOSEVELT •SAMPA THE GREAT •SANGRE NUEVA •SHAME •SHELLAC •SHERELLE •SHYGIRL •SIDE CHICK •SONIDO LA CHANGA •SOTO ASA •SPECIAL REQUEST •SQUAREPUSHER •SQUID (UK) •STELLAR OM SOURCE •SUDAN ARCHIVES •TEKI LATEX •TETO PRETO •THE CARETAKER •THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN •THE NATIONAL •THE STROKES •TIM BURGESS •TOPS •TRAPANI •TROPICAL FUCK STORM •TYLER, THE CREATOR •UNIFORMS •VAGINA DENTATA ORGAN •VIOLET •VTSS •WEYES BLOOD •WILLIAM DJOKO •YO LA TENGO •YOUNG DOLPH •YOUNG MARCO •YOUNG THUG •YUNG BEEF & PABLO CHILL-E •ZA •ZOZO

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

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 in brief, day 2

Back to regular life after Primavera Sound Festival (PS) 2019 ended! So, while we adjust to our day-to-day schedules, here comes the second of our quick recaps of what we just experienced at Parc del Fòrum, today focusing in Friday's 31st. Let's go!

Lucy Dacus, historian at work. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Good
Lucy Dacus: The hour in which her gig was programmed was criminal. The Ray-Ban stage was, in principle, too big. But these unflattering factors became irrelevant the moment Ms Dacus started singing. What an arresting record 'Historian' is (if 'Night Shift' doesn't touch, you don't have blood in your veins). What a mesmerizing talent the Virginian is.

Kurt Vile: In an edition where the guitar seems to be a prehistoric, outdated instrument (of course, IS NOT), the proposal from the Philadelphian musician and his backing band was kind of challenge against the new "definition of cool". A guy who doesn't care about poses, looks or flashy movements. Just about indulging you into his hypnotic guitar-driven, slightly psychedelic, hazy folk-rock. He just killed it at the Pull & Bear stage.

Vile & The Violators, pretty pimpin at Primavera. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Snail Mail: The most disappointing gig from our entire PS took place on Friday afternoon. We love 'Lush''s immediacy, electricity and straightforward indiepop charms... But we couldn't hear any of these wonders at the Primavera stage. First technical issues, then serious vocal problems, with abundant squawks and misses from Lindsey Jordan (was she ok?). We demand a quick return to the city to compensate the disillusion. (Please!)

The Queen
Birkins & Ken: What can you expect from a covers gig? If you have our dear Birkins alongside great company, you'll have one the highlights of the whole festival. Their rendition of 'Ziggy Stardust', David Bowie's masterful record was exhilarating, unadulterated fun. Initially fuelled by Cris' powerful vocals... and then completely stolen by Ken Stringfellow's electrifying performance, pure punk-rock. This man doesn't get enough credit, when we owe him so much. First as half of the mighty The Posies. Secondly, being part of the immortal Big Star. Later on, touring and playing with R.E.M. (not enough adjectives to explain what that means for this Blog) And now, storming the not so Hidden Stage. Unforgettable. Put some Ken in you life!

Birkins & Stringfellow, "stardusting". Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Suedeheads, again: Didn't know what to expect from the veteran Brits before their show... but what we found was the most rejuvenating, enjoyable gig of PS19 for this Blog. Suede delivered a surprising greatest hits show, with Brett Anderson going relentlessly in search of the connection with the audience, who responded accordingly. It couldn't be any other way when the band is throwing you hit after hit in, such as 'We Are the Pigs', 'So Young', 'Metal Mickey', 'Filmstar' (beat that four killing combo!), 'The Drowners' or 'Animal Nitrate', among many others, with such passion and fiery energy. The attitude, the frontman, the tunes... Oh! They still have it. Intact.

Suede, everything still flows. Photo: Bloodbuzzed.

The third and final chronicle of the PS19, covering Saturday 1st, is already "in the kitchen", so stay tuned!

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

Primavera Sound 2018 in brief, day 3

Without hesitation, we arrive to the third and final chapter of our quick chronicles of "our" Primavera Sound Festival 2018. Saturday 2nd of June was a pretty exciting day, intense and complete, with promising newcomers and surefire heavyweights. It was a full schedule... so let's begin!

The Good

Ms. Graham, indeed does ring a bell
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Third female afternoon in a row: Núria Graham and Christina Rosenvinge were the responsible of igniting our afternoon. The young Catalonian artist and her band were excellent (once again, we must add) showcasing the highly recommendable 'Does it Ring a Bell?' with stunning aplomb and confidence. She's great and, if there's some hope in the world and we're not completely deaf, she should hit big. She was followed by a veteran that was particularly expressive  and enticing at Seat stage. Ms. Rosenvinge showed charm, mystery, strength... plus an unquestionable knowledge of what does it mean being in front of a large audience, leading the way.     

Slowdive: We were a bit late to be in a front row position, but contrary to what was going to happen afterwards with the Arctic Monkeys, the sound was so powerful and the gig so fierce and tightly executed we were able to enjoy it even from a distant (and chatting) location. Like The National yesterday, you can't go wrong with Slowdive. What an unexpected, much longed, welcomed and special return to form this has been. Please keep coming...

 Rosenvinge, still a case to be resolved, luckily. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Too much Mordor (part II): History repeating with what happened the day before. Criminal sun, dust and too many people wandering around. And the collapse to leave the area was appalling after the Monkeys gig, although it has to be said that some of the blame should also rest within the public shoulders, not contributing at all to ease the circulation.

Arctic Monkeys: Arguably the biggest name of this year's edition... that was major disappointment. Not because of the band itself, that was impeccable (although not very engaging and with a setlist heavily focused in their last two records, not the most dynamic) but due to the strangely weak sound, hardly listenable from the far-yet-not-that-far location at Mango stage. For once, it was easy to understand that thousands of people weren't really into it, chatting and looking for things to do/go.

Rolling Blackouts C.F., pop waves (always) from down under. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever/Jay Som: Yeah, we're going to give an ex aequo this time. Because both bands provided us the most joyful moments of the Festival. First, the mighty Australians (probably the most featured band at this Blog with taking into consideration their short career to date) demonstrated WHY any good festival that claims to be so SHOULD have several Antipodean bands in their roster. Energetic, jangly and unstoppable. Later on, it was time for Melina Duterte and her colleagues to conquer the (not so big, kudos to everyone to chose the Americans instead of Lorde, you are hope) audience gathered at Pitchfork stage. There's a natural charm that can't be faked. The Californian quartet looked, acted and played like a genuinely fun, easygoing, bunch. The kind of people you would like to go for drinks and goof around. Add they have enough, lo-fi, quirky and immediately lovely, songs to knock you down, and we must assume the fact: here's a band to love. Two, to be more precise...

But WE like the bus! Fun with Jay Som. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

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

Primavera Sound 2018 in brief, day 2

No time to waste. Here's the second round of our traditional briefings of what went on for us within the Primavera Sound Festival 2018. Friday 1st of June came with several "big names" and a few promises to be confirmed so let's begin!

The Good

A great female afternoon: The combo of Waxahatchee-The Breeders is just a fantastic way of beginning a Friday afternoon. The band of Katie Crutchfield, which includes her amazing sister Allison (what a wonder when their two voices intertwine) and the great Katie Harkin (Sleater-Kinney, Sky Larkin), gave us a top-notch show, passionate and powerful. We love 'Out of the Storm' and believe the future couldn't be brighter for them. The day kept getting better and somewhat linked, because after Waxahatchee it was the turn of the Deal sisters, who are so genuinely fun and lovely you really don't care about the initial false steps or little bloopers. Their gig, like the weather, got warmer and warmer, ending in a memorable, gigantic, way. A big big love for both bands.   

Waxahatchee, sister's act. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

That band from Ohio: Luckily, we've seen The National in many different occasions and much better, smaller venues now, so we didn't bother about getting in a front row (if you want to be in a closer position for a gig in Mordor, you must sacrifice the previous or next one) position. From the distance, it's pretty obvious the gig wasn't going to be that special for us, but still the band was impeccable and unafraid of getting into their latest and more experimental 'Sleep Well Beast', or deliver a setlist generous in ballads and downtempos. In our opinion, highlights were a rougher 'The System Only Sleeps In Total Darkness', 'Fake Empire' and finale 'About Today', all stunners, as well as newbie 'Rylan' sounding promising. They never disappoint.

Matt Berninger meets the digital age. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Too much Mordor: After several editions without ending there that much, this PS18 we have spent too much time within Seat and Mango stages, the clearest symptom this year's line-up wasn't that appealing for us. Mordor is hell. No way to hide from the sun, too many bored people being there because the headliner "obliges" (meaning endless chat) and too many bar zones (meaning more human traffic of bored people). Add the issues of leaving the area, which is something that the organization has to improve. There's a Festival in Mordor and another one, much more pleasant, out of it.
Charlotte Gainsbourg: You know when you go somewhere because you have a reminiscence (not confirmed) that once you enjoyed it? It also works with records & artists. And usually, it's a mistake. That was the case.

The Queen
Father John Misty: It was in 2012 and Mr. Tillman opened the day (Saturday) at Auditori, very early in the afternoon. The venue wasn't full by no means, and he was doing a show on his own, acoustic guitar and dark sense of humour. How times have changed! On Friday he was accompanied by a full band and an orchestra, clearly one of the headliners of Friday line-up. And deservedly so. The show was arresting, flawless and enjoyable from start to finish. A performer at the top of his game, doing wonders with a song book that at Seat stage sounded like a collection of classics. Folks, the man has it. Probably the gig of the Festival. Must-see in a smaller venue as soon as we can. 

When pure comedy turns into pop. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Don't go anywhere, the final chronicle of the PS18 on Saturday 2nd, coming very soon at the Blog!

Primavera Sound 2018 in brief, day 1

The Primavera Sound Festival (PS) 2018 is almost over! So, here we are, pretty exhausted (again, the not very recommendable combination of daily work and Festival), but ready to being with the first round of our traditional quick chronicles of our experiences there. What follows is our take of Thursday 31st, with a note on Wednesday's fail. Let's go!

The Good

The War on Drugs: Yeah, the millennial era might be all about synths, danceable (or kind of) grooves and that sort of shallow urban pop-indietronica that fits so-well with glasses & clothes advertisements, but dammit if the best gig of the day wasn't full of guitar riffs & solos, plus the urgency and the mystery offered by the most iconic and traditional instrument of rock history. Adam Granduciel and Co. just nailed it. Terrific band, terrific tunes.

The War on Drugs, lost in the dream of rock. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The infinite, powerful worlds of Laetitia Tamko
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Two more female artists to follow closely: On a pretty "empty" day (to a poignant level compared with previous years, something that has been the sad trademark of this PS' edition, with the exception of Saturday) the gigs of Vagabon and Amaya Laucirica were very welcomed. Keep an eye on them...

The Bad

(Missing) Spiritualized: Is it that hard to make some sort of announcement or use the Festival App properly to let the people know how are the tickets needed for the Auditori selling? The organization could easily avoid extremely long queues and the understandable anger from concertgoers. We were the unlucky ones that missed grabbing a couple for a matter of minutes, so pretty frustrating to wasteone hour and half waiting for nothing...
Not made for this times: We'll try to keep the rant short and try not to repeat ourselves that much. The millennial age is just killing music. It should be about the songs, the artists that make it and the feelings these tunes bring to you, not about your looks (by the way, Mango?), your selfies, your constant, irrelevant & discourteous chatting, or the amount of beers you can drink... Raise your head and look at the stage, not to your smartphone. It's MUCH MUCH more interesting...

The Queen
The Twilight Sad: In terms of sounding, the Scotts show couldn't compete with The War on Drugs's one. Unfortunately a recurring trend within the Festivals and gigs, bass (and/or rhtym section) are too heavy in the mix burying vocals for the sake of power, that happened with The Twilight Sad. But we were compensated, extraordinarily, with something even more important and meaningful: real, intense, touching, unadulterated emotion. Coming straight from the heart and the boundaries that not even the death can take away. Humans talented and passionated enough to be in front to of a stage, and with the humanity, the guts and kindness to open their hearts out in front of us to pay tribute to a lost beloved pal. Goosebumps and tears. James, we're sure you did your friend proud. Thank you.

The Twilight Sad, Keeping Ourselves Warm. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Stay tuned, the second chronicle of the PS18, covering Friday 1st, is about to come!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 192 (Primavera Sound Festival Special)

Today we have a special Jukebox for you, a miscellaneous playlist devoted to the Primavera Sound Festival that, beginning (for us) next Wednesday, will keep the whole week pretty busy enjoying awesome groups live! Many bands and artists to see, so we thought it might we worth to warm-up with some tunes from the acts that look more appealing for us, plus "some mandatory" gigs to attend like Slowdive, The Twilight Sad, The National or Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. We'll keep you posted and, as usual, all these songs are also available at our Soundcloud, so please join us! And see you at Forum!

Direct links to 2018 Jukebox playlists

Week 171  Week 172  Week 173  Week 174  Week 175 Week 176  Week 177  Week 178 
Week 179  Week 180  Week 181  Week 182  Week 183 Week 184  Week 185  Week 186
Week 187  Week 188  Week 189  Week 190  Week 191

Primavera Sound 2018: my draft schedule

Here comes one of our favourite Blog traditions! The timetables of the Primavera Sound Festival 2018 have been disclosed, so it's time to organize our, temptative, very early, work in progress, draft, personal schedule. Unfortunately, at first look (sure some additional bands will be added) it is clear this is the less exciting edition for us, with not too much we are really eager to see, plus some of the (usual) overlaps reducing the options even more. But anyway, while we do some 'research' to complete the routes (one of the most attractive things of Festivals) and keep an eye on the final surprises (that bigger and open hidden stage) here's what our PS 2018 looks like right now. Suggestions are kindly accepted!

Wednesday,  May 30th, Parc del Fòrum
19:00 Javiera Mena (Primavera with Apple Music)
20:00 Spiritualized with orchestra and choir (Auditori RockDelux)
20:55 Wolf Parade (Primavera with Apple Music)
22:15 Belle and Sebastian (Primavera with Apple Music)

Very temptative day, as the only mandatory gig would be Spiritualized. It still hurts that Belle and Sebastian has lost the aforementioned compulsory condition. But it's been a while now...

Thursday, May 31st, Parc del Fòrum
17:40 Vagabon (Primavera with Apple Music)
19:15 The Twilight Sad (Pitchfork)
19:40 Warpaint (Seat)
20:50 The War on Drugs (Mango)
23:00 Amaya Laucirica (Night Pro)
23:35 Fever Ray (Primavera with Apple Music)
23:40 Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds (Mango)
Ok day with not a lot of must-see acts (The War on Drugs and Vagabon) but the additions of The Twilight Sad (although it clashes with Warpaint, first let down the Festival) and recently discovered Amaya Laucirica has made the day worthy. We end pretty early, which it seems is going to be some kind of a trademark of this PS' edition for us...

Friday, June 1st, Parc del Fòrum
16:50 Fontaines D.C. (Day Pro)
17:40 Waxahatchee (Primavera with Apple Music)
19:10 The Breeders (Mango)
20:20 Father John Misty (Seat)
21:30 The National (Mango)
23:30 Charlotte Gainsbourg (Primavera with Apple Music)
00:40 Cigarettes After Sex (Ray-Ban)
03:20 Omni (Adidas Originals)
The most promising day for us, with up to seven acts we are really willing to see, gets seriously jagged because Fontaines D.C. (soon to be featured at the Discoverer series) is only playing at Day Pro (meaning the city centre) and we don't have the superpower of ubiquity yet, and the gap until Omni's gig looks gigantic... Still, from Waxahatchee to Ms. Gainsbourg there's a pretty fine afternoon-evening awaiting us.

Saturday, June 2nd, Parc del Fòrum
17:00 Núria Graham (Ray- Ban)
18:55 Car Seat HeadRest (Mango)
20:10 Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (Adidas Originals)
21:30 Slowdive (Primavera with Apple Music)
22:45 Jay Som (Pitchfork)
23:50 Arctic Monkeys (Mango)
And the last big day is kind of dubious. Excited to see Rolling Blackouts and Slowdive (although we saw them in March in a much smaller venue, so it's hard that a Festival show could beat that experience), and there are some nice options to warm-up and await until the Monkeys gig ends PS 2018 for us... but is that all?

Sunday, June 3rd, 
Tigercats, Waxahatchee and Jay Som could be enough reasons to consider a return to Sunday's, more so if that allows us to making some schedule switches. We'll see...

Stay tuned for further developments!!

Primavera Sound 2018: first impressions

History repeating folks. We have the feeling we could almost copy & paste what we wrote on 2017's Primavera Sound line-up and use it for this year's edition. Just unveiled after what it looks like a filtration/accident, reaching a new low for the Festival in what regards to its announcement. But anyway, that's not what matters at all. Let's focus on the line-up, then.

We know that #PrimaveraUnchained has already being labelled as a terrific one. And don't get us wrong, is pretty impressive and heavy on "big names". But, at least for us, this is kind of another letdown (at first glance, the great thing about PS is what you discover before and at the Festival)
Because the feeling of deja vu is even worse than last year. I mean it's great to have The National, Nick Cave, Father John Misty, even the Monkeys... but that was expected, not surprising at all. And that's where things begin to get slightly dissapointing. The amount of recent 'repeaters' is really considerable, while the first-time band, our discoveries, the 'middle-small' names, usually the key factor that makes PS stand out from the rest, is lacking (we repeat, at first take) looking like we are fated for spending too much time in Mordor this Spring. Where 's Flying Nun and my beloved antipodean bands? No Bats (again)? Fazerdaze? The Courtneys? Where's Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile? Beaches? Also, no Filthy Friends? Eyelids? Weather Station? Alvvays? I could go on forever...

Of course, this is just the Blog's first impression... We are sure we will 'discover' several proposals to add to 'our' Festival routes (Alex Lahey looking good at first listen!). So, honouring the Blog’s tradition, here’s our rough (we don't have the timetables yet) 'paint & colour' version of the line-up with our first impressions on the bands we are willing to see. Too much yellow indeed, right? Sure it will change (suggestions are welcomed)... As always, a lot to listen ahead!!

CONFIRMED ARTISTS FOR PRIMAVERA SOUND 2018

28 May -3 June

(SANDY) ALEX G • A$AP ROCKY • ABRA• ALEKSI PERÄLÄ • ALEX LAHEY • ALICIA CARRERA • ÂME II ÂME • ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF • ARCA • ARCTIC MONKEYS • ARIEL PINK • ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO • BAD GYAL • BEACH HOUSE • BELLE AND SEBASTIAN • BJÖRK • THE BLACK MADONNA • THE BLAZE • THE BREEDERS • BUFIMAN B2B DJ NORMAL 4 • C. TANGANA • CALL SUPER • CAPULLO DE JÉREZ • CAR SEAT HEADREST • CARPENTER BRUT • CESARE BASILE • CHAMPION • CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG • CHRISTINA ROSENVINGE • CHROMEO • CHVRCHES • CIGARETTES AFTER SEX • CLARO INTELECTO • DJ COCO • CONFIDENCE MAN • THE CRAB APPLES • DAMED SQUAD • DAPHNI • DAVE P. • DEAD CROSS • DEERHUNTER • DEKMANTEL SOUNDSYSTEM • DELOREAN presenta Mikel Laboa • DOBLECAPA • DONATO DOZZY • EL ÚLTIMO VECINO • ESSAIE PAS • EVA GEIST • EZRA FURMAN • F/E/A • FATHER JOHN MISTY • FERMIN MUGURUZA ETA THE SUICIDE OF WESTERN CULTURE • FEVER RAY • FLAT WORMS • FLOATING POINTS Solo Live • FOUR TET • GABRIEL GARZÓN-MONTANO • GANGES • GENIUS OF TIME • GERD JANSON • GRIZZLY BEAR • HAIM • HERE LIES MAN • HINDS • HOLY BOUNCER • HONEY DIJON • HUNEE B2B ANTAL • IBEYI • IDLES • INTANA • THE INTERNET • JAMES HOLDEN & THE ANIMAL SPIRITS • JANE BIRKIN sings Birkin Gainsbourg Symphonic • JAVIERA MENA • JAY SOM • JLIN • JOE GODDARD • JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON • JOHN MAUS • JOHN TALABOT Disco Set • JON HOPKINS • JORJA SMITH • JOSEY REBELLE • KAREN GWYER • KEDR LIVANSKIY • KELELA • KELSEY LU • KERO KERO BONITO • THE KITE STRING TANGLE • KNOX FORTUNE • DJ KOZE • KYLE DIXON & MICHAEL STEIN performing the music of STRANGER THINGS • LA BANDA TRAPERA DEL RÍO • LA BIEN QUERIDA • LEVON VINCENT • LIFT TO EXPERIENCE • LINDSTRØM • LORDE • LYKKE LI • MADLIB • MAJID JORDAN • MALL GRAB • MANO LE TOUGH • MARCEL DETTMAN • MARIA ARNAL I MARCEL BAGÉS • MARINA HERLOP • MARION HARPER • MATTIEL • MAVI PHOENIX • THE MEN • METÁ METÁ • MIGOS • MIKE D Dj set • MOGWAI • MONTERO • MOUNT KIMBIE • MUJERES • NAT SIMONS • THE NATIONAL • NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS • NICK HAKIM • NIGHTCRAWLER • NILS FRAHM • NORTH STATE • NÚRIA GRAHAM • OBLIVIANS • OLYMPIC FLAME • OMNI • ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER • ORPHEU THE WIZARD • OSO LEONE • OUMOU SANGARÉ • PALMBOMEN II • PALMS TRAX • PANDA BEAR • PEGGY GOU • PÉPE • PETER PERRETT • PLAYBACK MARACAS • PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING • PUPUT • DJ PYTHON • RAMZi • REX ORANGE COUNTY • RHYE • ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER • RORY PHILLIPS • ROSS FROM FRIENDS • ROSTAM • THE SEA AND CAKE • DJ SEINFELD • SETH TROXLER Disco Set • SEVDALIZA • SHANTI CELESTE • SHELLAC • SLOWDIVE • SOLAR • SPARKS • SPIRITUALIZED with Orchestra and Choir • STARCRAWLER • SUMAC • SUPERORGANISM • SYLVAN ESSO • TEXXCOCO • THUNDERCAT • TIGERCATS • TOLOUSE LOW TRAX • TOM MISCH • TY SEGALL and The Freedom Band • TYLER, THE CREATOR • UMFANG B2B VOLVOX • UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA • VAGABON • VINCE STAPLES • VRIL • VULK • THE WAR ON DRUGS • WARPAINT • WATAIN • WAXAHATCHEE • DJ WEY • WILLIKENS & IVKOVIC • WOLF PARADE • XAVIER CALVET • YELLOW DAYS • YONAKA • ZA! • ZEAL & ARDOR • THE ZEPHYR BONES • 

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