Barcelona is transformed every June by this unique iconic festival. With more than three decades under its belt and more than a hundred editions around the world, Sónar has consolidated its position as the epicentre of avant-garde music and arts since its inauguration in 1994 and now this festival also has venues in cities such as Lisbon and Istanbul.

The 31st edition takes place on June 13th, 14th and 15th at Fira Montjuïc (Sónar by Day and Sónar+D) and Fira Gran Via (Sónar by Night). Barfcelona will once again become the world capital of music, creativity and technology, offering musical performances, DJ sets, audiovisual conferences, debate forums and masterclasses.

A look into the future

The festival’s name, meaning being a sound detector, not only reflects the musical present, but also amplifies and projects the future of the artistic scene. Barcelona becomes the centre of innovation in content and formats, bringing together a diverse audience, renowned artists and professionals from all corners of the globe.

True to its essence, it is positioned as the catalyst that propels the most influential artistic ideas of the moment to a global level. This creativity stands as a space where music, science, technology and society converge, promoting the discovery of emerging trends and currents in the arts.

This year’s guests

The new edition features renowned artists who explore various genres of dance music. Charlotte de Witte fuses techno and trance; the iconic disco and house music DJ Folamour, presents his new audiovisual show; and Ben Böhmer, Floating Points and Reinier Zonneveld appear to give a unique live experience.

Jessie Ware brings to life the sensual vibes of her fifth album, steeped in soul and disco, while Kaytranada brings her eclectic mix of hip hop, funk and R&B. Big names that you can discover in the two festival spaces: Sónar by Day, outdoors and with a relaxed, Mediterranean atmosphere, and Sónar by Night, much closer to European club culture.

Radical performances and new sounds

Provocation will be a prominent element in the 2024 edition. Team Rolfes present their controversial virtual reality opera “321Rule”, while Blackhaine will fuse drill, noise and choreography. VMO a.k.a. Violent Magic Orchestra will combine black-metal and gabber, while the ASIANDOPEBOYS collective have “PHYSIS”, a radical six-hour show.

Sónar is committed to promoting completely new sounds. With Judeline experience pop with funk influenced by flamenco, the synth-pop with rap overtones of CASISDEAD and the avant-garde electronics of Marie Davidson. Movements such as downtempo, afro neo-soul and afro-rave will also be present in a program including a wide variety of emerging stars and talents.

Sónar+D, talks and masterclasses with the best

Since 2013, Sónar+D has positioned itself as the international gathering par excellence that fuses art, science and digital culture, revealing how creativity not only shapes the present, but is also the driving force behind unexplored futures. This event brings together outstanding artists, technologists, creative minds, musicians, thinkers, scientists and entrepreneurs.

In a meticulously curated program, Sónar+D offers talks, masterclasses and tech-shows with the aim of inspiring and encouraging networking. This unique, open, relaxed space has attracted professionals and the curious from more than 100 countries, providing the opportunity to discover innovative projects, acquire new skills and establish valuable and sustainable connections.

A special focus on artificial intelligence

The relationship between nature and technology will be one of the main focuses of the audiovisual conferences at Sónar+D 2024. You will be able to meet Tomás Saraceno, recognized for his innovative works with solar balloons and spider webs. Likewise, the founder and director of the CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) project, David Gruber, will share his progress in translating the language of sperm whales through the use of artificial intelligence.

Further enriching the experience, Nicole L’Huillier and Marta Verde will present a fascinating masterclasses, providing a playful perspective on how they employ AI in their respective disciplines. Don’t miss the music & AI hacklab, led by prominent technologist Peter Kirn, and the AI & Blockchain Creative Summit, a space for the exchange of ideas on the creative uses of AI and Web3.

Explore Sónar Sounds in the Official Playlists

Immerse yourself in the #sonar2024 listening experience with official playlists, designed to introduce you to the diverse soundscapes that define the festival. Songs like “Pleasure Peak” by Eliza Rose and The Martinez Brothers, “Spring” by Dan Shake, or “You Are In My System” by Kerri Chandler, Dennis Quin and Troy Denari are part of the elaborate playlists that are available on Spotify and YouTube.

SonarMix, for its part, offers a series of DJ sets, mixes and podcasts curated by the festival team. This series highlights artists from past, current and future editions, capturing the avant-garde, innovative and risk-taking spirit that defines Sónar. A good example is SonarMix 031 by Kapote and Sam Ruffillo, with which they present an impressive house and disco session. Just one more example of how Sónar continues to blur the traditional boundaries of a festival.