In our latest series of European festival reports for 2005, Daniel Arthur soaks up the sun, and the beats, at Barcelona's eclectic, arty Sonar festival. Photography courtesy of Advanced music.
In our latest series of European festival reports for 2005, Daniel Arthur soaks up the sun, and the beats, at Barcelona's eclectic, arty Sonar festival. Photography courtesy of Advanced music.
It is quite reassuring to feel that you are the most incapacitated person in one of the largest cosmopolitan cities in the world. Welcome to Sonar, the advanced music and multimedia international festival based in the beautiful city of Barcelona; offering up music, passion, culture and sunshine and with the touch of a fresh ocean breeze. Sonar works over a period of three days and three nights working alongside numerous well known, and some of the not-so-well-known artists. It presents over 300 activities which include DJ sets, live sets, visual and multimedia art and is seen as the premier event for artists to keep in the most up-to-date developments in new-aged music scene.
Sonar by day offers a relaxed atmosphere and is located in the Ramblas district within the CCCB, MACBA, Centre d'Art and Santa Monica complex. It allows for exhibitions, audio-visual projections, and a professional fair, amongst numerous other activities, to occur in a single area. How this festival differs greatly from anything else in the world is that it allows artists, professionals and the public to meet and express their views.
Sonar by night illustrates a completely different picture, reflecting a huge cosmopolitan party that you may find at other major European events, but with a Mediterranean feel to it, thus creating a wholly unique festival atmosphere. The three nights present DJ's, VDJ's and live acts from every musical background possible and from every corner of the globe. Set in both indoor and open-air spaces, it is located just outside the centre of Barcelona, with the travelling of large hordes of people giving the feel of togetherness before the mayhem begins.
First day in the Big Barca House and, unsurprisingly the weather is perfect. It is out first time in the Sonar complex and we are nothing short of blown away; imagine a large modern art museum filled with every piece of music available and that's what you're presented with. We stand in the 'Sonar Village', an uncovered, outdoor area standing with a cold pint watching reggae thanks to 'DJOSOS KROST', alongside a circle of friends who bridge the heat of Jamaica with the cold of Copenhagen. The chilled atmosphere in the terrace is not reflected by what's going onstage however, with high energy and exciting performance. However I haven't ventured from the rain of Belfast to stand still, but to explore, to be surprised. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was to see in the Escenario Hall, with the sounds and, more importantly, visuals of 'Cusine Concrete & Jordi Vila'. I was surprised to find a packed hall listening to a beat-less tune; I was even more surprised to see a full kitchen onstage with a meal being prepared! María Durán, using "prepared cuisine" as a musical source, works alongside Jordi Vilà, a cook of the Alkimia restaurant in Barcelona. In her own words "the number of possible sound compositions equals the numbers of known recipes, and within these, the variations are infinite", in my words, "insane!"
In the festivals in UK, I am used to going back to a freezing tent with some form of a road-kill burger. No no no, this will not do in Barcelona; it is back to apartment located around the corner for a bottle of wine and to relax in a restaurant located on Las Ramblas. I decide that there is still time to catch the last act at Sonar by day, so back to SonarVillage. It is busy, very busy and I can't seem to see any DJ, however, there is music and, unknown to me, apparently there was a DJ, 'Sideral', voted best National DJ ('Rockdelux magazine'), and known for his eclecticism, knocking out everything from electro-pop to stomping techno. Sonar by day - you having a laugh, this place never stops!
Sonar by night is showing Ritchie Hawton amongst others, playing alongside a full orchestra in the SonarAuditori, which uses a two leading composers, Pedro Alcalde and Sergio Cabellero, working alongside Plasikman (R. Hawton). This is not a challenge, it is an experience, an experience never to be forgotten, and in his own words, Mr. Hawton saw this experience as "going well" - how modest!
