Sónar 2023

Art installations and immersive experiences are a fundamental part of Sónar's DNA. Throughout the festival, attendees are immersed in an eclectic array of visual and interactive artworks that blur the lines between technology, artistry, and human interaction. From large-scale installations that transform urban spaces to intimate galleries showcasing cutting-edge digital art, Sónar brings together renowned artists and emerging visionaries to create a truly immersive and thought-provoking experience.

The festival's parallel event, Sónar+D, serves as a hub for innovation, hosting workshops, conferences, and showcases that delve into the latest advancements in music, technology, and creative industries. Here, attendees can engage with groundbreaking technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and interactive installations, gaining insights into the future of artistic expression.

Sónar Festival Barcelona has played a pivotal role in discovering and showcasing pioneer artists who have gone on to achieve global acclaim. With its commitment to pushing boundaries and nurturing emerging talents, Sónar has served as a launching pad for musicians who have become major forces in the international music scene. From electronic music pioneers like Aphex Twin, Daft Punk, and The Chemical Brothers, to boundary-pushing experimentalists such as Björk, James Blake, and Arca, Sónar has proven to have an uncanny ability to identify and showcase artists who challenge conventions and reshape the sonic landscape. Without further ado, here's our unmissable ten!

Peggy Gou, a rising star in 2019, was poised for global stardom when she graced the Sónar stage for a memorable back-to-back set with Palms Trax. Now, in 2023, she returns to Sónar as an icon, undoubtedly the most recognisable face of club culture. Her journey to success has been marked by a deliberate and thoughtful approach, fueled by her insatiable curiosity, eclectic taste, and exceptional DJing skills. With her magnetic presence and undeniable talent, missing Peggy Gou's performance at Sonar 2023 would be a regrettable oversight.

Returning to her roots for this festival, Alba Farelo, known as Bad Gyal, is set to make a triumphant homecoming at Sónar 2023. Her journey towards stardom began with her debut at Sónar in 2017, followed by an appearance in Reykjavik through the festival's guidance in 2018. Now, in 2023, the prophecy has become a reality as Bad Gyal's meteoric career has skyrocketed. She has emerged as an iconic figure of an entire generation, transcending borders as a global idol who seamlessly blends dancehall, dembow, Latin trap and urban genres.

He is a transformative figure in the urban pop scene of Spain, an unsung hero whose contributions have shaped the landscape of Spanish pop music as we know it today. Emerging from a background rooted in guitars and distortion – evident in his alias, paying homage to the American grunge band Alice in Chains – Alizzz has seamlessly established himself within the forefront of the contemporary electronic music scene in the country. His creative prowess has been responsible for crafting major hits for renowned artists such as C. Tangana, Amaia, and Rosalía and he has prepared a DJ set – Club 2000 – to celebrate Sónar's 30th anniversary.

Karin Dreijer, a true visionary in the realm of pop music, possesses a distinct and unmistakable voice that resonates deeply. Having honed her musical vocabulary and aesthetic as one half of The Knife, she has further expanded her creative horizons as Fever Ray. Now, with the unveiling of her third album, Radical Romantics, she delves into the intricacies of romance, showcasing the profound complexity and vulnerability that have defined her illustrious career.

Describing Marina Herlop as one of the most remarkable hidden gems that have caused a profound sensation in Catalonia in recent years would not be an overstatement. Despite her background in conservatory training, little could have predicted that Marina would go on to create one of the most critically acclaimed experimental albums of 2022, captivating both the press and the public. Pripyat has propelled the Catalan artist to embark on a global tour, making her debut on the revered label Pan and even capturing the attention of the iconic Björk herself.

If you're not familiar with this Barcelona-based music collective it's time that you get to know them. Jokkoo's six members – Baba Sy, Maguette Dieng (Mbodj), Oscar Tylor (Opoku), Nicolas Belliot (Mookie), Ismäel Ndiaey (B4mba) y Miriam Camara (TNTC) – have a goal in midn: to establish Black electronic music and bring diasporic narratives to the global stage. We'll have the pleasure to get to see their audiovisual show at Sónar+D and right before that we'll get to hear them talk about their recent artistic residency in Kenya, with Sónar and Institut Ramon Llull's support.

You can call him either Cardopusher or Safety Trance but just know that the Barcelona-based Venezuelan DJ's name is going to be on everyone's lips from now on. Immaculate Poison, his latest album, is proof of this. Known for collaborating with Rosalía and Arca, his mix of reggeaton and dance music is exactly what you'd like to jam to at the club. Get yourself ready to listen to a mix of trance, heavy metal and hard techno unlike anything you've ever heard before.

Nymph is an aptly named album for a singer who takes charge of everything she does. Known for being a fashion nymph through her relationship to Burberry, the way Shygirl reclaims her own narrative and encourages us to do so through amusing love songs to vaginas or romantic disappointments. The South London artist promises to bring us an ethereal, sexy yet tender show.

He performed at Sónar 10 years ago and what better way to celebrate the festival's 30th edition. Ryoji Ikeda's audiovisual work – seen in his minimalist aesthetics, surround sound and intricate installations – cannot be separated from his music/sound work, as they both work in perfect harmony. We can't wait to see what he has prepared for this year, a live show based on his new album Ultratonics.

She's not a stranger to the festival but this is the first time she's performing at this level. Don't get us wrong, what we mean is that she has always been someone but a few years ago we would have called her a hidden gem, today we can definitely say that she's a diamond that shines bright. Little Simz is admired by big musicians like Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Andre3000 and Outkast (she's the favourite rapper of your favourite rappers) and her latest album No Thank You shows us exactly why.