Primavera Sound 2012 kicks off today in Barcelona and will last until Sunday 3rd June
Fans who have been waiting anxiously for the annual event in Barcelona will not be disappointed with the best line up in independent music from all over the place. This is one of the music festivals that is a “must do” and has a cross on the date in every music fan’s calendar as there are over 250 bands and artists performing.
Primavera Sound also serves as an amazing showcase for young and new bands looking for projection as well as bands with a solid foundation looking to cement themselves further.
Although a lot of the bands participating in the festival began several days ago in different venues all over Barcelona, the bulk of the festival will kick off this afternoon using the different stages of the Parc del Forum. Wilco, The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, Death Cab For Cutie, Yo La Tengo or Rufus Wainwright, to name but a few, will please the massive audiences that will gather to hear them belt out their tunes. However, the real stars of the Primavera Sound are the emerging groups. These unknown bands and artist will no doubt be on the lips of every hardened festival goer for sure.
Below we are offering you a mini guide with many of the highlights of the festival as there’s nothing like being well planned before heading out to hear some of the best music in Barcelona, is there? And if you can’t assist this year’s Primavera Sound 2012, don’t fret as concerts will be streamed through the festival’s YouTube channel.
THURSDAY
20.40 The Afghan Whigs (San Miguel Stage). Authentic American rock heavyweights from the 90’s.
21.45 Death Cab For Cutie (MINI Stage). They have produced some of the greatest pop tunes in recent years.
22.00 Mudhoney (ATP Stage). Pioneers of grunge, still on the ball nearly 25 years after the group’s formation.
23.00 Wilco (San Miguel Stage). Perhaps the most successful group of the last decade. The return to Primavera Sound with a new album called The Whole Love.
23.15 Beirut (San Miguel Stage). Francis Condon’s project combines rock, pop and world music.
00.45 The XX (MINI Stage). A recent British pop phenomenon.
1.45 Franz Ferdinand (San Miguel Stage). The Glasgow band will put the finishes touches to Thursday evening.
Also playing on Thursday: Black Lips l Sleep Archers of Loaf | Sr. Chinarro l John Talabot Bleached | Refused l Hot Panda | Spiritualized l Grimes.
FRIDAY
21.45 Christina Rosenvinge (MINI Stage). One of the great indie muses could not miss the show. La Joven Dolores is her latest solo album.
22.10 The Cure (San Miguel Stage). Robert Smith and his band will remind us of the music that has marked a whole generation.
23.00 Napalm Death (Vice Stage). One of the surprises of this year to the delight of fans of harder sounds.
23.15 Dirty Three (ATP Stage). All the way from Australia comes one of the most suggestive proposals of post-rock today.
00.45 M83 (MINI Stage). The great sensation of the current French music.Electronic pop and hedonistic and festive.
00.20 The Rapture (Vice Stage). These New Yorkers have managed to combine the sounds of rock with danceable post-punk.
Also playing on Friday: Melvins l Biggott | The Drums | Templeton l The Men | Girls Marianne Faithfull l Codeine The Chameleons | Mayhem l l l Other Lives | Afrocubism.
SATURDAY
20.15 Grupo de Expertos Solynieve (MINI Stage). With members of The Planets, Lagartija Nick and Lori Meyers.
21.45 Beach House (MINI Stage). The band that everyone is talking about. Addictive pop music.
23.00 Saint Etienne (San Miguel Stage). One of the key name’s in current British synth pop.
00.45 Yo La Tengo (MINI Stage). Alternative rock giants and one of the highlights of Saturday night.
1.45 Justice Live (MINI stage). The gods of French electronic music – no offense to Daft Punk of course
Also playing on Saturday: The Right Ons l OFF! | Shellac l Real State | The weeknd l Dominique A.
SUNDAY
17.15 Veronica Falls (Parc de la Ciutadella). Surf pop from the streets of London town.
20.00 Nacho Vegas (Arc de Triomf). La Zona Sucia is the latest offering by Nacho Vegas one of the great Spanish artists playing here.
21.10 Yann Tiersen (Arc de Triomf). Their sound extends far beyond that of Amelie. One of the giants of French music that doesn’t want to miss out on playing at Primavera Sound.
22.30 Richard Hawley (Arc de Triomf). Ex member of Pulp, one of the key Britpop bands of the nineties, presents his latest offering: Standing At The Sky’s Edge.
Also playing on Sunday: l Joe Crepúsculo l Refree l Lorena Álvarez Y Su Banda Municipal l Ocellot l Girls Names.