Catalonia, land of music

 In Music events

In Catalonia we love music. We are famous for the huge number of festivals that take place here. Although you can enjoy during the whole year, of course there are much more in the warm months. You can find indoor festivals, outdoor -the most of them- in dedicated facilities, but also in stadiums, beaches and gardens. Let’s talk a little bit about the most important of them all.

Primavera Sound Festival opens the warm season every end of May since 2001 at the Barcelona Forum area, with an heterogeneous show with different styles and generations. Sònar Festival is probably our most internationally known music festival, since it has been visiting several cities around the world. But every mid-june since 1994 it starts in Barcelona, with its electronic and experimental music huge number of groups, singers and dj’s. It takes place in two big venues: Sònar de Dia (Day Sonar) at the Fira Montjuic, a huge congress area in a historic place, and Sònar de Nit (Night Sonar) at Fira Gran Via, the new congress facility. Cruïlla takes place at the Forum area in july 12th to 14th, with all kind of music. Started in Mataró, a coastal city half hour north of Barcelona, it moved in 2008 as urban festival, and it could then grow to be an international encounter. It was the first full cashless festival thanks to its partnership with Paypal and its smart bracelet. If we want to step up one level, we must attend the Jardins de Pedralbes Festival. Started in 2013 and taking place during one month between June and July, it happens in such an incomparable frame as only the gardens of a palace into the city of Barcelona can be. This project merges several classical and traditional styles with other more moderns in dedicated concerts for only one artist per night, all of them important characters from all over the world. This year’s novelty is to be able to diner at the Sofia Hotel right before the concert. Besides, Jardins de Pedralbes offers a Village opening two and a half hours before the main concert, with food from several high quality restaurants of Barcelona, and music of emerging groups. Other festivals in the city during June, July, August and September are Be Prog My Friend, Barcelona Beach Festival, Tomorrowland Barcelona, DGTL Barcelona, and BAM, Barcelona Acció Musical.

But there are also lots of concerts and festivals outside Barcelona, and all over Catalonia: In- Somni Girona in June, Vida in Vilanova i la Geltrú in June as well, Canet Rock in July, Festival of Cambrils in July and August, Biorritme at the Pantà de Sau in August, Peralada Gardens in July and August, but also some important and different concerts. Festivals of Porta Ferrada in the beach of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, heartland of Costa Brava, and Caproig Festival at the Castle and botanic garden of Caproig are two high quality festivals for really famous artists. Same as Jardins de Pedralbes, it’s one artist per night in a 2000 places venue.

As you can see, it would be unbelievable that you could not find a festival, no matter what your interest is. Have a look at them and make your choice!

By Alex Carbonell

 

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