For its 31st edition the festival doubles down on its reputation for identifying and amplifying the best music from around the world; bringing emerging talent and radical performance aesthetics to Barcelona next June.

The first lineup announcement includes 70 activities and shows, featuring leading names from dance music and beyond such as Kaytranada, Jessie Ware, Ben Böhmer, Floating Points, Charlotte de Witte presents ‘Overdrive’, Vince Staples, and Folamour.

Sónar+D, the festival’s meeting of digital culture, will explore the interplay between technology and nature, and delve into the practical applications of artificial intelligence in sound, stage design, gaming, alternative realities, music, cinema, and the arts. Amongst the first participants announced today are renowned artists Tomás Saraceno and Nicole L’Huillier.

On the 13th, 14th, and 15th of June 2024, Sónar will once again transform Barcelona into the global capital for electronic music and digital culture, hosting groundbreaking performances from both established stars and emerging talent.

In addition to live shows and DJ sets, Sónar 2024 will include masterclasses, debate forums, professional meetings, and an exhibition of creative-technological projects. Artists and scientists will host multi-screen audiovisual conferences that explore innovative and practical applications of AI in fields like music, sound, film, stage design, video games, and alternative realities. In addition, and across the festival’s stages, there’ll be a strong emphasis on performance and dance.

In musical terms, Sónar 2024 will cover the entire spectrum of contemporary electronic music, featuring artists, DJs, and performers from a wide range of genres. This first lineup announcement is headlined by leading artists from dance music and beyond such as Kaytranada, Jessie Ware, Ben Böhmer live, Floating Points, Charlotte de Witte presenting ‘Overdrive’, Vince Staples, Casisdead, Folamour A/V, Toya Delazy, Kerri Chandler, The Martinez Brothers, Reinier Zonneveld live, Olof Dreijer, Marie Davidson, Surgeon & Speedy J, and TOMMY CASH.

As part of this edition’s focus on dance there’ll be a series of performances featuring radical choreography and innovative scenography. UK artist and choreographer Blackhaine’s mix of noise and drill is joined by Lee Gamble’s new project ‘Models’, featuring choreography by leading Spanish performance artist Candela Capitán; Gabber Eleganza’s ‘The Hakke Show’ will feature high speed ‘hakke’ dancing at over 180 bpm. Virtual performance studio Team Rolfes will bring their ‘321Rule’ VR-augmented ‘club-theatre’ show (starring Lil Mariko) to Barcelona, and ASIANDOPEBOYS present ‘PHYSIS’, a six-hour multidisciplinary spectacle with a rotating cast of artists and performers, featuring stunning visual effects and innovative choreography.

Sónar+D will also, as always, be a multidisciplinary affair. Today’s announcement includes audiovisual conferences on the interplay between nature and technology by artist and architect Tomás Saraceno and marine biologist David Gruber. The first of various forums and summits from the programme has also been announced today: the AI & Blockchain Creative Summit, organised in collaboration with UPF Ventures. The full programme, featuring masterclasses, workshops, and professional meetings will be announced at a later date.

Sónar+D is also looking for projects, prototypes, ideas and products to be exhibited in the Project Area, an exhibition space at the heart of Sónar by Day. It’s where creative technology and innovative art meet eye-opening research, AI-generated visuals, and experimental video games. A space for ideas and projects under development covering sound, film, AI, the metaverse, alternative realities, artistic gaming, and blockchain experiments, all themes which extend throughout the festival. An Open Call for submissions was published last week, and applications are being accepted via this form until Friday 22nd December.

This year, Sónar 2024 will start on Tuesday 11th June and Wednesday 12th June with the 2nd edition of the +RAIN Film Festival organised in collaboration with the UPF. An international film festival dedicated to cinema made using AI, it will explore how this new technology is combining with current narratives in cinema. After two days at the UPF Poblenou Campus, the festival will close at Sónar+D, where the winning films will be screened. The call for entries will open next Monday, December 4th.

Tickets for Sónar 2024 are already available at sonar.es. As is the case every year, young people can get discounted tickets with their European Youth Card (Carné Joven in Spain and Carnet Jove in Catalonia).

From Thursday 13th June to Sunday 16th June 2024, OFFSónar will return to Poble Espanyol with some of the most renowned promoters and labels in global clubbing. The program will be announced soon, alongside a limited quantity of special tickets that include both Sónar and OFFSónar, offering the full Sónar Week experience.

The Sónar 2024 international tour kicks off on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of March with the 3rd edition of Sónar Lisboa, which takes place in Parque Eduardo VII in the heart of the Portuguese capital. The lineup, which will be finalised in the coming days, already includes 2manydjs invite Éclair Fifi & Erol Alkan, Sevdaliza, Shygirl presents ‘Club Shy’, Bonobo DJ set, Eliza Rose, TOMMY CASH, Tiga & Hudson Mohawke present ‘Love Minus Zero’, Oneohtrix Point Never, and CC:DISCO!, plus a selection of artists from the vibrant Portuguese scene. There’ll also be a full programme of Sónar+D activities to be announced very soon. Tickets are already on sale at sonarlisboa.pt.

For the eighth consecutive year, Sónar Istanbul returns to Zorlu Performing Arts Center, this year on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of April 2024. The first names from the lineup will be announced soon, and tickets are on sale now at sonaristanbul.com

Sónar 2024: a visionary lineup focused on dance and discovery.
Taking place on 13th, 14th, and 15th June next year, the 31st edition of Sónar doubles down on its reputation for identifying and amplifying the best music and performances from around the world; bringing emerging talent from micro-scenes to larger audiences and connecting Barcelona with leading artists from dance music and beyond.

As always, Sónar by Day will take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at Fira Montjuïc, while Sónar by Night will happen at Fira Gran Via on Friday and Saturday.
The 12th edition of Sónar+D, the unmissable annual gathering for professionals in the creative industries, art, research, and technology, will once again be at the heart of Sónar by Day. Today’s announcement includes a pair of audiovisual conferences exploring the interplay between technology, the natural world, and creativity. There’ll also be a full programme of masterclasses, debate forums, and professional meetings; plus activities focused specifically on AI and its impact on sound, gaming, alternative realities, and artistic disciplines like music and cinema.

Sónar+D will once again hold morning sessions on Thursday 13th June, and Friday, 14th June, exclusively for Sónar+D ticket holders. Once Sónar by Day opens in the early afternoon, the vast majority of Sónar+D activities will be accessible to the general public.

Where the world comes to dance.
In 2024, Sónar reaffirms itself as a space for creative expression for both artists and attendees. Today’s first set of names reassert the festival as the place where the world comes to dance.

Kaytranada’s irresistible mix of hip hop, r&b, funk, and soul will be joined by Jessie Ware, who’s ready to conquer Barcelona after the release of a sensual fifth album of soul, disco and r&b. Californian rapper Vince Staples is a force of nature live: come hear him drag the sound of classic 90s rap into the 21st century with emotionally charged lyricism.

Belgian DJ and producer Charlotte de Witte will take her mix of trance and techno to the next level with a brand new show ‘Overdrive’; French house and disco artist – and global star – Folamour also appears with a brand new audiovisual show.

Rounding out the lineup is a live set of exquisitely melodic electronica by German producer Ben Böhmer, a dose of unpredictable eclecticism from Floating Points, and a fast-paced live set of acid techno courtesy of Reinier Zonneveld. A diverse range of artists, selected for their ability to keep the dancefloor moving.

Vince Staple’s rhyme aren’t the only ones on the lineup. Joining him are CASISDEAD, with his synth-pop tinted UK rap; and introspective, reflective poet and thinker KAMAUU. Rising Spanish star Judeline blends pop, funk and flamenco; Marie Davidson injects elements of spoken word into her electronic live sets; and LaFrancesssa distorts pop music with digital processing.

Together, Ana Roxanne and DJ Python make up Natural Wonder Beauty Concept: they’ll present their delicate and moving self-titled album of downtempo sketches live. Local artist Bikôkô writes soul and r&b, dusted with African percussion and electronic production, while Zulu rapper Toya Delazy calls her hybrid sound ‘Afrorave’. Ela Minus and yunè pinku are two producers who work heavily with their own vocals, as does sentimental songwriter and C. Tangana collaborator pablopablo, gloomy baroque vocalist Adelaida, Belgian-Russian rapper Dyce, and nostalgic producer and singer AMORE.

Those in search of contemplative or challenging sounds will welcome the rugged and abstract electronics of EMPTYSET; Loraine James complex, intimate rhythms; and Kelly Moran’s compositions for prepared piano. At the other end of the spectrum are a large group of forward-thinking DJs, including Olof Dreijer, known for his work as one half of The Knife; unpredictable japanese selector ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U; rising bass music star Surusinghe; and Galician sonic researcher Akazie. Other names from the lineup who are twisting club music into bold new forms include Slim Soledad, DJ Gigola, DJ Fucci, Taahliah, Coco Em, moktar, SHYBOI, and TNTC.

Groundbreaking multidisciplinary performances and onstage choreography.
Dance will be present like never before at Sónar 2024, not only on the dancefloor, but also on stage. but also on the festival stages. After having worked with the likes of Kanye West and Playboi Carti, Blackhaine mixes bruising choreography – inspired by Japanese butoh theatre and his Northern upbringing – with rap and spoken-word. British avant-garde producer Lee Gamble will bring his poignant new album ‘Models’ to life with a show – co-produced with Krakow’s Unsound festival – unlike anything he has done before, featuring choreography from Andalucian performance artist Candela Capitán. And there’ll be high-speed hakke dancing at 180 bpm and above during Gabber Eleganza’s ‘The Hakke Show’.

Other artists will explore new and radical ground for live performances. Provocative digital artists Team Rolfes, known for their sarcastic sense of humour, will perform their virtual reality opera ‘321Rule’ live, starring viral rapper Lil Mariko in the lead role.

There’s also a pair of musical performances featuring both radical scenography and extreme sonics. VMO a.k.a. Violent Magic Orchestra mix black-metal and punishing noise with gabber and hard-trance, while radical collective ASIANDOPEBOYS present ‘PHYSIS’ a six-hour multidisciplinary show featuring mind-melting visuals, lighting, and avant-garde choreography. The show features a rotating cast of collaborators, including the previously-mentioned ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, musicians Dis Fig and Gabber Modus Operandi, as well as dancers and performers Siko Setyanto, Yvan Falk and Ndoho Ange.

In 2024, club music is exploring its performative potential like never before. This first announcement includes a host of artists and performers who are unafraid of mixing genres, ideas and disciplines. From TOMMY CASH, horsegiirL, and Hadren to radical collectives like TORO (softchaos, engalanan and wicboyx) and Club Cringe (who’ll bring Frost Children, Mother Cell, Angel Money, DJ Wallh4x, and DJ Trick plus an unpredictable list of special guest), expect the unexpected at Sónar 2024.

Club music, always present at Sónar.
As always, Sónar features plenty of established and emerging artists who are focused firmly on the dancefloor. Techno legends Surgeon & Speedy J present their live, improvised collaboration ‘MULTIPLES’; Kerri Chandler will demonstrate why he’s a titan of house music; and The Martinez Brothers will bring a dose of New York City freshness to Barcelona.

And as always there’ll be a sprinkling of special pairings in the booth. Héctor Oaks b2b Partiboi69 will offer a heavy dose of unbridled wildness. Eliza Rose b2b Dan Shake b2b Sally C, three of the hottest DJs around, will offer a never-seen-before back-to-back-to-back. And Detroit meets Manchester behind the decks when Stacey Hotwaxx Hale goes back-to-back with DJ Paulette.

KI/KI, the biggest name in a new wave of trance, will perform her only live date in Spain in 2024 at Sónar. On a similar note, Marlon Hoffstadt aka DJ Daddy Trance will take dancers back to the golden era of trance and eurodance, while Skin On Skin’s hard-hitting sets blend techno and house with drill and rap. Cinthie’s raw, modern and energetic live take on classic house is complemented by Kapote & Sam Ruffillo: the duo will bring the ‘Italo’ side of Berlin to town for the first-ever full-format Toy Tonics Jam in Spain. They’re joined by a trio of local agitators, DJs and selectors with varying styles and moods: Jehia, Lanav and Spacer.

The relationship between nature and technology and AI, headlining the first announcement for Sónar+D.
The relationship between nature and technology will be one of the main focuses of the audiovisual conferences at Sónar+D 2024.

Renowned contemporary artist and architect Tomás Saraceno, known for directing projects such as ‘Aerocene’ and for his investigations into new sustainable ways of inhabiting and perceiving the natural world, will untangle the links between art, life sciences and social sciences. He creates sculptures with spider webs and large-scale site-specific installations, always in sensorial solidarity with the planet. He’ll explain why artistic practice is always ecological in nature, whether seen from a social, mental, or environmental perspective.

David Gruber, founder and director of CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), whose work was featured in The New Yorker earlier this year, will reveal how he’s translating the language of sperm whales using Artificial Intelligence and machine-learning from his base on the Caribbean island of Dominica.

The other major theme will be ways of using Artificial Intelligence in a playful, practical and tangible manner to create art. A pair of artists will present masterclasses that showcase their work: Nicole L’Huillier, a Chilean transdisciplinary artist with a PhD in Media Arts and Sciences from MIT ; and Marta Verde, a technologist, visual artist and professor at Berklee College of Music in Valencia.

Also announced today is a music & AI hacklab directed by technologist, musician and journalist Peter Kirn, where people from different disciplines will come together to dream up a new performance using new technologies.

Finally, Sónar+D will also be the venue for AI & Blockchain Creative Summit, a space for inspiration, debate and presentation of start-ups, spin-offs and applied and artistic research projects. There’ll be two separate sessions on the nature of film and expanded media in AI and Web3.

The biggest week in electronic music and digital culture worldwide.
This year, Sónar 2024 starts on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th June with the 2nd edition of the +RAIN Film Festival, the international film festival for cinema made entirely with AI, presented in collaboration with the UPF. Exploring how this technology is integrating into current narratives in cinema, after two days at the UPF Poblenou Campus, the festival will conclude between the 13th and 15th June at Sónar by Day, with screenings of the winning films in different spaces of Sónar+D. The call for entries will open next Monday, December 4th.

And from cinema, back to dance music. From Thursday 13th June to Sunday 16th June 2024, OFFSónar will return to Poble Espanyol with some of the most renowned promoters and labels in global clubbing. The promoters, labels and headlining artists for each date will be announced very soon.

Sónar returns to Lisbon and Istanbul in 2024.
The international tour of Sónar in 2024 kicks off in the heart of the Portuguese capital. The 3rd edition of Sónar Lisbon will be held in Parque Eduardo VII on 22nd, 23rd and 24th March next year.

The first names announced include a never-before-seen set by Belgian duo 2manydjs with special guests Éclair Fifi and Erol Alkan. They’ll be joined by the leading international DJs Bonobo, Eliza Rose and CC:DISCO! and live performances from Sevdaliza, Oneohtrix Point Never, TOMMY CASH, Shygirl presents ‘Club Shy’, Tiga & Hudson Mohawke present ‘Love Minus Zero’, and Wata Igarashi, among others. Sónar’s commitment to local scenes is also reflected a range of Portuguese artists, including Chima Isaaro, Moullinex △ GPU Panic, Supa b2b Ghetthoven, and XEXA. The full programme will be unveiled very soon.

One month later, on 26th, 27th and 28th April, Sónar Istanbul will return to the Zorlu Performing Arts Center for the eighth consecutive year. Over the past three decades, Sónar has held more than 100 festivals in 35 cities in 23 countries, spread across four continents.

London (2002-2005/2009-2011) / Neuchatel (2002) / Hamburg (2002-2006) / Tokio (2002, 2004, 2006, 2011-2013) / Rome (2003) / São Paulo (2004, 2012 and 2015) / Lyon (2004) / Guadalajara (2004) / Buenos Aires (2006, 2015-2018) / Seoul (2006) / Frankfurt (2007) / Washington (2009) / New York (2009) / La Coruña (2010-2011) / Chicago (2010 and 2012) / Cape Town (2012 and 2014) / Toronto (2012) / Denver (2012) / Oakland (2012) / Boston (2012) / Montreal (2012) / Los Angeles (2012) / Osaka (2013) / Johannesburg (2014) / Reykjavík (2013-2018) / Copenhagen (2015) / Stockholm (2014-2016) / Santiago de Chile (2015) / Bogotá (2015-2018) / Hong Kong (2017-2019) / Mexico City (2018 and 2019) / Athens (2019) / Istanbul (2017-2023) / Lisbon (2022 and 2023).

More information and ticket details at sonar.es.
Tickets are now available at sonar.es. You can currently purchase either a SonarPass (includes all of Sónar by Day or Sónar by Night) and a SonarPass+D (includes Sónar by Day, Sónar by Night and all of Sónar+D), both of which are also available as VIP tickets.

All tickets can be purchased directly via DICE. More information available at sonar.es

H/T Sónar festival.