Primavera Sound 2017 in brief, day 2

As promised, here's the second round of our quick chronicles of how it was Primavera Sound 2017 for us. After the first post devoted to Thursday 1st of June, here comes Friday 2nd, a day that seemed the weakest in paper, but still had several noteworthy moments to enjoy and highlight. Let the good times roll!

The Good

Lawrence Arabia: Charming pop music at the Hidden Stage courtesy of James Milne (what an amicable frontman) and his locally assembled band (Hi-jauh to the rescue!), putting out an impeccable, gentle and immediately lovable show to start the afternoon with a big smile.

Lawrence Arabia, Christchurch-Barcelona pop connection. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Mitski: Among the best album debuts of last year, Mitski Miyawaki stark, minimalist staging approach might make you think on a cold performer on a first impression. What a mistake that is. She lets the music do the talking, with the fury coming from the bursting guitars, the visceral screams and the blows of her melodic vocal turns. And soon you realize she is going to be in the same league of St. Vincent or Angel Olsen. She is untamable.

Mitski, static wonder. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Make-up: You might find the band very unsurprising, too classic in their attempt to recreate that "vintage" funk-soul-rock spirit. But NO ONE can't deny the power, joy and good vibes a night with Ian Svenonius can provide to any willing to listen & watch. Summoning the spirits of James Brown and Iggy Pop, giving everything he has and beyond to engage the audience, the wild frontman and his well-oiled band are a guarantee of fun (and a threat to that hipster self-absorption).

The Make-up, rock'n'roll suicide. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Queing for Auditori: There has to be a better way to organize this sort of massives events at Auditori. I mean, you waste a lot of time just queueing to buy the mandatory extra-tickets in advance... and then you spend another lifetime queueing again to enter the gig. The result? You have missed the four first tunes of the show. Frustrating.
Eating at Primavera: Rephrasing a famous Woody Allen quote "The food in this place is terrible. Yes, and it's so expensive one would expect not even the Brits will pay for it". Enough said...

The Queen
The Magnetic Fields: Another "first time" and a mandatory gig was seeing Stephen Merritt live presenting his new concept album '50 songs memoir'. Splitted in two shows (Friday and Saturday), of 25 songs each, The Magnetic Fields proposal was a serious threat to every PS17 line-up planning... but a lovely experience to be seen and heard. Cute and intimate stage setup (very nice visuals) a seven-piece band enveloping every single tune with grace and elegance. An entertaining story-biography (more engaging the first day, imo the songs were more diverse and less languid) to be told with that deadpan, offbeat sense of humour that is one of Merritt's trademark. But another of his "signatures", by far the more important one (and just in case you didn't know it), is that the man can write POP TUNES. At Primavera Sound we were lucky to hear a great bunch of them.

Special guests at Stephen Merritt's home. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Brief of the third and final "big day" of the PS17, Saturday 3rd, arriving very soon!

Primavera Sound 2017: first impressions

No gala, no previous show, no videogame... not even a supposedly cool video on Youtube to mock people while they obsessively await for a rocket to be launched. Nothing. Just a not very remarkable imagery and a countdown at their Facebook page... And here it is! The Primavera Sound Festival 2017's line-up unveiled! Kaboom! Or wait... kaboom?

Because, at first glance, this is sort of a letdown. By far the less impressive line-up of the editions I've been lucky to attend. I never had such a limited number of artists/bands that are a MUST to watch. And there's also an inescapable feeling of deja vu (history repeating) mixed with very few surprises (Teenage Fanclub & Angel Olsen were mandatory, and having seen the latest in a small venue the excitement gets notoriously reduced...). Too much hip-hop, indietronic and electronic acts (don't we have Sonar Festival for that?) for my taste. Where are The Bats? The Julie Ruin/Le Tigre? Filthy Friends? The Decemberists playing 'The Crane Wife'? Rose Elinor Dougall? Novella? I could go on forever...

Needless to say, this is just my opinion... Besides, as it always happens with PS, there's always many names among the "small print" of the line-up worth watching and/or checking, something this year becomes even more obvious and necessary. So, honouring the Blog’s tradition, here’s our traditional 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. Looks pretty yellow, right? Sure it will change (suggestions are welcomed)... A lot to listen ahead!!

CONFIRMED ARTISTS FOR PRIMAVERA SOUND 2017

31 May -4 June

!!! (Chk Chk Chk) •  7 Notas 7 Colores •  Abdullah Rashim •  About Leaving •  The Afghan Whigs •  Against Me! •  Agorazein •  Alex Cameron •  Alexandra Savior •  Alien Tango •  Âme live •  Angel Olsen •  Anímic •  Annette Peacock •  Aphex Twin •  Arcade Fire •  Aries •  Aurora Halal •  Autarkic •  Avalon Emerson •  BADBADNOTGOOD •  Barbott •  Belako •  Ben UFO •  Berri Txarrak •  Bicep •  The Black Angels •  Bon Iver •  Broken Social Scene •  Cigarettes After Sex •  CLUBZ •  Dj Coco •  Conttra •  Converge •  Cymbal Eat Guitars •  The Damned •  Dave P. •  Death Grips •  Descendents •  Discos Paradiso Crew •  Dixon •  Don't DJ •  Dj Dustin •  El Petit de Cal Eril •  Elmini •  Elza Soares •  Fatima Yamaha •  Ferenc •  Flying Lotus •  Formation •  Frank Ocean •  Front 242 •  Gas •  Glass Animals •  Gojira •  Gordi •  Grace Jones •  Grandaddy •  The Growlers •  Hamilton Leithauser •  Henrik Schwarz •  Her Little Donkey •  Huerco S. •  HVOB •  InnerCut •  Iosonouncane •  It's Not Not •  Japandroids •  Jardín de la Croix •  Jeremy Jay •  JMII •  Joey Purp •  John Talabot Disco Set •  Joy Orbison •  Julia Jacklin •  Julie Doiron •  Junun featuring Shye Ben Tzur & The Rajasthan Express •  Kelly Lee Owens •  Kepa Junkera & Los Hermanos Cubero •  Kevin Morby •  Khidja •  King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard •  King Krule •  King Sunny Adé •  KiNK •  Kokoshca •  Kornél Kovács •  Lady Wray •  Lauer •  Les Cruet •  Les Sueques •  Let's Eat Grandma •  Local Natives •  Lord Of The Isles •  Lvl Up •  Mac DeMarco •  The Magnetic Fields •  The Make-Up •  Mannequin Pussy •  Màquina Total •  Maresme •  Marie Davidson •  Marta Delmont •  Matrixxman •  Medalla •  Melange •  Metronomy •  Michael Mayer •  Miguel •  Mishima •  Mitski •  The Molochs •  Moscoman •  Muñeco •  Murdoc •  Museless •  The Mystery Lights •  Nikki Lane •  No Zu •  Noga Erez •  Nots •  Odina •  Operators •  PAVVLA •  Pearson Sound •  Pedro Vian •  Pender Street Steppers •  Phurpa •  Pinegrove •  Playback Maracas •  Polar Inertia •  Pond •  Preoccupations •  Priests •  Rebuig •  Recondite •  Retirada! •  Romare •  Rosalía & Raül Refree •  Royal Trux •  Run The Jewels •  S U R V I V E •  Saint Etienne •  Salfumán •  Sampha •  Sau Poler •  Seu Jorge plays The Life Aquatic a tribute to David Bowie •  Shelby Grey •  Shellac •  Sinkane •  Skepta •  Skinny Puppy •  Slayer •  Sleaford Mods •  Sleep •  Slim Cessna's Auto Club •  Solange •  Soledad Vélez •  Sorry Kate •  Swans •  Swet Shop Boys •  Talaboman •  Teenage Fanclub •  Dj Tennis •  This Is Not This Heat •  Triángulo de Amor Bizarro •  Tuff City Kids •  Tycho •  Vaadat Charigim •  Van Morrison •  Vladimir Ivkovic •  Vox Low •  Wand •  The Waterparties •  The Wave Pictures •  The Wedding Present •  Weval •  Weyes Blood •  The Wheels •  Whitney •  Wild Beasts •  William Tyler •  The XX •  Youandewan •  The Zombies perform “Odessey & Oracle” 50th Anniversary

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

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.

The Indie Anthology 66: essential songs

The next chapter in our anthology is devoted to a now, again, extincted band that I was lucky enough to see during the last Primavera Sound. And a song devoted to a music legend (loved by this Blog), which unfortunately I'll never be able to see. Find you.... left of the dial!

Song: Alex Chilton
Artist: The Replacements
Year: 1987

Never been more than a very occasional fan of The Replacements. Love 'I Will Dare', 'Color Me Impressed', 'Left of the Dial' and a little bunch of alternative rock bullets. But they'll always have a place in the indie Olympus for me. Because Paul Westerberg and Co. penned the immense ' Alex Chilton', a wonderful homage to the lead singer, songwriter and soul of Big Star (and The Box Tops). 'Alex Chilton', the song, is one of these rare tunes that, no matter the place or situation, gives me goosebumps all over. The combination of the Replacements' trademark biting guitars, melodic lines and living euphoria (several times, very close to chaos) with a lyric that melts personal memories of youth with heartfelt lines on his music hero, still has to be beaten. And I can't even begin with the chorus without getting emotional. Killer.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."

Watching The Replacements live playing 'Alex Chilton' past May was memorable. After many years, still in love, of course. I never travel far, without a little Big Star...

Discoverer 109: new indie findings

Here comes the first trio of discoveries of 2015! We are back in full, overpowered mode, so get ready, you have been warned!

Pinkshinyultrablast. New year, new exciting proposals from Shelflife, folks. This time coming from Saint Petersburg, Russia, here's a quintet formed in 2007, but their only release to date didn't arrive until 2009, in the form of EP 'Happy Songs For Happy Zombies', out via Odd Box Records. Luckily, the combo is alive and kicking, as the debut album 'Everything Else Matters',   available since last week through Shelflife and ClubAC30 majestically proves. Gold shoegaze for shoegazing addicts, echoing Lush, Slowdive, Sabres of Paradise but also adding hints of dream-pop, the icy, otherworldly spirit of Cocteau Twins (get haunted by Lyubov's voice) and glimpses of electronic. Indeed, an ultrablast.

Wildhoney. More lighting floating in space, now thanks to this band, another quintet, hailing from Baltimore, Maryland and formed in 2011. After first demos surfaced the blogosphere in 2012, their s/t debut EP arrived a year later, followed in 2014 by another EP, 'Seventeen Forever'. And now they are back with 'Sleep Through It', debut album out now via Deranged/Forward Records. Shoegaze with a million faces, at times raw and noisy, others poppier and gentle, here's the aggression and the caress, the urgency and the atmosphere, the haze and the light. Very hard to resist.

Viet Cong. A hype with a reason. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, this Canadian band formed in 2012 from the ashes of the troubled group Women. Bassist Matt Flegel started a new project with Scott 'Monty' Munro, live guitarist for Chad Van Gaalen, quickly expanding into a quartet with drummer Mike Wallace and guitarist Daniel Christiansen. Their debut came a year later with a self-released cassette, reissued by Mexican Summer on vinyl past summer. They signed with Jagjaguwar, who along with Flemish Eye has just released the highly anticipated s/t first album. Seven fierce, angular, gloomy and elusive tunes of post-punk. A beast that we will have the chance to see live at Primavera Sound.

Best Concerts of the Year 2014

The day has arrived... it's time to begin with our Best-of-the-year LISTS! As we did in 2013, we start with our favourite concerts. Exciting new bands, two amazing veterans I thought I was never going to see, the fulfilled dream of attending (at least one) Indietracks... and, in the most personal note ever, seeing your own blood brought you into tears. Yes, it's been a fabulous year in what regards to live music. Hope you like it!

Cosmen Adelaida - La [2] de Apolo
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

10. Cosmen Adelaida (La [2] de Apolo, Barcelona, February 5th)
One of my favourite Spanish bands, and they have just nailed this 2014 with the release of 'La Foto Fantasma' (look for it at the best albums of the year list), but this gig arrived even before we heard the record. Very powerful, tight and straight to the jugular show from start to finish, with stunning new indie-rock tunes like 'El Parque', 'Familia/Trabajo' or 'Becerro de Oro' adding diversity and strength to an already exciting collection of tunes (go hurry and check out '7 Picos'). Flawless.

The Chills - Indietracks
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

9. The Chills (Indietracks, Ripley, July 25th)

The first day of the Festival at the Midland Railway Center had a very special date, with one of Flying Nun's most unforgettable bands. Of course, I was eager to hear, for the first time, quintessential, eternal tunes like 'Pink Frost' or 'Heavenly Pop Hit' (sounded glorious, just glorious), but I admit I wasn't expecting to see a band in such full form, with still so much to say, something new tunes proved (looking forward to new album). It doesn't rank higher because it was too short, but still, for an hour I was in New Zealand, one of the realms of indiepop. 

Courtney Barnett - Primavera Sound
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

8. Courtney Barnett (Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona, May 31st)
The Melbourne singer-songwriter is one of the most exciting acts that have appeared recently. She's charismatic. She's extremely talented, creating excellent tunes ranging from folk to rock packed with outstanding lyrics (she's easily one of the best lyricists out there today, funny, witty, thoughtful while being the opposite of pedantic). She's spontaneous and things look natural, unforced and genuine with her. And my Goodness! She really knows how to deliver a dynamic, relentless show. Courtney Barnett took Pitchfork's stage and won us over. Fingers crossed there's a chance to see her in a more intimate venue. Could be priceless.

Withered Hand - Indietracks
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

7. Withered Hand (Indietracks, Ripley, July 27th)

Indietracks again. Dan Willson has offered us 'New Gods', among the best records of the year. So expectations were high, very high. Then you realise Ms. Pam Berry is doing backing vocals. And you have your friend and admired musician Jeremy Jensen from the Very Most next to you, smiling just like you when masterpieces 'Horseshoe' and 'Black Tambourine' are played. Could it get better than this? Yes indeed. For me it did with 'Religious Songs'. Larger than life tune. Larger than life performance. More than five months after I still get goosebumps.

Savages - Sala Apolo
Photo: Rafa Piera - Indienauta

6. Savages (Sala Apolo, Barcelona, February 18th)

Unfortunately, the FAKE & DEAD city of Barcelona wasn't ready for a band like Savages. People prefer to chat or constantly check their stupid Iphones. That's why it ranks a 6. It's a shame because here's a band that battles on stage. They try to remind us there was a time when music was powerful, interesting, intriguing, meaningful. And they do taking no prisoners live. A gig without concessions, fuelled with dense and long new tunes. The quartet is one of the most impressive stage presences I have ever seen. The magnetism and fierce attitude of Jehnny Beth, the guitar transformed into a machine gun in the hands of Gemma Thompson and the terrific, striking rhythm section of drummer Fay Milton and bassist Ayse Hassan. They are an earthquake. A landslide. 

Slowdive - Primavera Sound
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

5. Slowdive (Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona, May 30th)
Many will say My Bloody Valentine. Others Ride. Mine is Slowdive, by far, far, far. On a day where The National was also playing, this was the concert to remember. First time hearing live tunes like 'Avalyn', 'Catch the Breeze', 'Machine Gun' or 'When the Sun Hits'. First time seeing my dear Rachel Goswell on stage, shining. First time going ecstatic in a massive, open space with tunes always dreamt to be enjoyed that way. Slowdive, you made my forget myself for a while...

Boutade - Sala Razzmatazz
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

4. Boutade (Razzmatazz 3, Barcelona, October 17th)
And just when you thought it couldn't get more personal... I don't know if you can imagine what it means for someone so passionate about music to write about a band that is fronted by his own brother, also a stubborn music lover himself. And how hard is to write about it without losing your composure. Wasn't the first time seeing him on stage, but it was clearly the finest. In total command of the scenario-situation, the band was almost flawless, putting a show that ignited after 'Grey Is a Lie' and became simply majestic in tunes like 'In My Own Desert', 'White Rats', or that heavenly, breathtaking finale that was 'Lost Friends'. How you've grown, my beloved little brother. Here's a real band waiting for you to be discovered.

Ought - Primavera Club
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

3. Ought (Primavera Club, Barcelona, November 2nd)
We were tired and seriously considering leaving the Festival. We didn't have any expectations with this Canadians. But what a tragic mistake it would have been. We would have missed a mind-blowing, completely hypnotic gig from the very first second. An impossible and extraordinarily personal music, recalling Wire, The Velvet & The Fall at the same time. Explosive and expansive combination, full of twists, tone changes and surprises, and propelled by Tim Beeler, an incredible frontman, summoning Mark E. Smith, David Byrne and Jarvis Cocker altogether. What a discovery.

St. Vincent - Primavera Sound
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

2. St.Vincent (Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona, May 29th)
Almost every magazine is rating Annie Clark's latest album among the best of the year. That's not my case (I prefer 'Strange Mercy' and her earlier works), but it's hard for me to suggest many better options to see an artists performing live. At Primavera Sound she delivered a masterful example of what does it mean arriving to a state of absolute control and knowledge about playing live while showing all possibilities of your own skills. Superb show of a unique, true artist.

Fear of Men - Primavera Club
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

1. Fear of Men (Primavera Club, Barcelona, October 31st)

Topping the list I have chosen one of the Blog most beloved bands, praise dand hailed recurrently from the very first time I discovered them. Was hoping for a great gig for sure, but at Primavera Club they surprised me in the most positive way. More upbeat and danceable than expected. Jangle-pop combined with the mystery of post-punk, far from the fragilty Jessica Weiss' sweet vocals can suggest on a first impression. With Daniel Falvey fabulous guitar playing and Weiss showing she's a strong, engaging frontwoman (striking rendition of 'Pink Frost' from The Chills included), the gig was a triumph from start to finish. I left my throat trying to reach the higher notes, I danced like no many people has seen and was lucky enough to greet them after the show. Just a perfect night...

Want to check last year's best concerts? Just click here
What about 2012? Click here 
And 2011? Then check here