3...2...1...SONAR !!!

I can hardly believe this as I'm writing it, but this year's Sonar is the 19th edition (can't wait for next year already!). Already such an institution in Barcelona, it has also spread its wings in a similar way that Primavera Sound has done with editions in Sao Paolo, Tokyo and Cape Town but it's the original and best which keeps defying the neighbours' complaints in downtown Raval for Sonar by Day and Gran Via 2 for Sonar by Night.   Think dodgems, carpets and a haunted conference hall style atmosphere. With flashing lights.

As usual, organisers have had no trouble attracting big names, and expect to see the über cool New Order (how col is that?), a plethora of different DJs and acts like Friendly fires, James Blake, Die Antwoord, Jack Beats, Annie Mac, and a whole shed load of people who are probably just as good if not better but I've never heard of them. I'll cross my fingers for a tribute to Adam Yauch somewhere. 

Sonar embraces the city and you'd have to say that the city embraces Sonar, too, with events actually going on all this week and off-Sonar parties galore, so don't let it stop you from going to that UB40 concert tonight if that's your thing guys and gals. Plenty of time to watch the footy after a Sonar by Day session or a beach trip along with dinner and cocktails before catching the buses at Plaça Carbon (to the right of Columbus monument, people) to the night stuff. If you need a handy day-to-day guide, then download that here. 

Anyone heading down ? Or down there now?! Leave a message in the comments! Looking for last minute Barcelona deals? Then Check out www.bcn-rentals.com for some great prices on apartment rentals. 

May the Festivals Commence!

Now before you all start correcting me about festival time, and reminding me that we've already had Primavera Sound to kick off the season, it's only my way of saying that once we hit the second weekend of June, things just seem to come thick and fast and there's something about the sun that (usually) accompanies these kind of shindigs that doesn't mean rain, wellies and tents, rather sunshine, flip flops and Barcelona apartments.

So, with baited breath, it comes that time of the year again for those craaaazzy guys at Matinee group to commence the proceedings with their Summer Party. The site appears to have crashed today, so I'll point you in the direction of their Facebook page instead.



For those of you not in the know, the unique thing about the Matinee Summer festival is that it takes place in a huge water park just outside the city of Barcelona called Illa Fantasia. That's right, it's like one almighty pool party but it starts at 10am!! there is after parties of course from 22 onwards if you've managed to get your skin to resemble anything other than a shrivelled prune after all that dancing in the water...

The whole thing is very well organised with free buses to take you there every 15 minutes, and they have a decent line up to keep you amused all day - let's hope the weather obliges, too?!

Are you off to the party this year? Let me know in the comments...

Primavera Sound 2011

You know when it's about time for Summer and Festivals galore when Primavera Sound creeps up on you and all of a sudden it's the end of May and the start of party-time. Into it's 11th year (making me feel very old, as I can remember the first), Primavera has cemented itself into a must-attend event, happily co-inciding with the end of finals exams for many, beginning of a new era, and excuse for a bloody good party under the sun and in front of the Med.

This year the San Miguel sponsored event makes the white elephant that is the Forum transform once more as hundreds of acts perform in various places around the city as well as the 8 main stages. Some might say the line-ups are never quite billboard fillers, but I'd disagree and think they've got the mix just right. Vintage classics such as Belle and Sebastian play this year as well as a reunion of Jarvis Cocker and his Pulp pals after an eleven year absence. PJ Harvey, Mogwai and Phosphorescent are more names you might recognise but sometimes it's those tyou don't that make Primavera sound what it is. Explore those dance tents and names you don't recognise - as with most Festivals, it's trying to squeeze it all in which is the main problem!!

Primavera Sound is taking place over 3 days, from the 26th to 28th May, with many parties and pre-shows filling the Barcelona clubs before that, so keep your eyes peeled, check the web for full listings of the concerts and gigs around the city, in Poble Espanyol and at Forum Parc, or follow them on twitter to keep up with the news...

Thinking of coming to Barcelona this summer? Forget hotels, and opt for a Barcelona apartment instead - leaves you much more freedom. And for a quick look at what's hot and what's not, check this online guide to Barcelona.

BAM, Thank You Ma'am

If there wasn't already a lot to look forward to this month, there is another parallel event going on at the same time as La Merçe celebrations - BAM. BAM is the Barcelona Acciò Musical and is a short festival in it's 18th year happening from the 23rd to 25th September. And best of all, it's all free!

Taking place in various locations across the city, including the Old Damm Brewery on Calle Rossello, the Forum and a few other places (line up is not completely confirmed as to where people will be playing). And they have a pretty damn cool promotion video as well!

While the concerts mainly showcase local talent (and some decent stuff at that), there are also some international stars nipping in to do their stint. New York hip-hoppers Anti-Pop Consortium, Glaswegian due Belle & Sebastian and UK dance outfit Goldfrapp will all be pulling in the crowds. There's also Welsh rockers Ash (remember them?! Class!) and über-cool Hip-Hop DJ Alexander Nut. So if you're looking for that last-gasp festival to keep the summer you alive for a little bit longer, then get your dancing shoes on (not sandals, in case it rains) and check out the line ups!

Coming to Barcelona soon? Apartments in Barcelona are a great money-saver for many groups and families. And for a quick look at the must-see sights, check out this Barcelona Guide.

Mas i Mas Music Festival Barcelona

Mas i Mas Music festival brings together as many different styles of music as you can want or imagine. From Jazz to Classical to Techno to Flamenco, some of the biggest names in each genre will be happy to participate in the festival which keeps on going from strength to strength.



The city is taken over a little with some of the best locations for the respective music styles. Moog plays host for the Techno nights, Jamboree - a Barcelona institution - hosts the Jazz nights, Tarantos plays your Flamenco rhythms, Uptown La cove del drac is rented for special nights as well as the Sala Mas i Mas for the special classic evenings. That's not all. The UNESCO World Heritage sites of Palau de la Musica and La Pedrera also join in with some fantastic evenings on the rooftop, and even Luz de Gas plays some special nights.

The festival is sponsored by San Miguel and runs all the way through August, as if you didn't have many other parties to go to! For a full programme of events, download the pdf file here (sorry, only Catalan). There's never been a better time to check out the rooftop at La Pedrera with no queues and some fantastic string quartets, for example, than an August summer night, right?

Do you fancy some of the nights at Mas i Mas, or are you planning on going? Let me know in the comments and tell me which you're looking forward to. And if you're coming to Barcelona this August, there are some great deals to be had on last minute Barcelona Apartments, too.

Barcelona Summer Week

No, not just 3 random words that sound right about this time of year, but the clever and easy name for the biggest Dance party this side of Sonar for the party goers. Barcelona Summer Week starts on 4th August and although the name suggests otherwise, runs for 4 days and nights! The location is the same as last year, up on Montjüic (where you can be relatively noisy without annoying too many people) and this year looks to be a party to live up to last years!



The line-up sees some local residents to the scene and also some International players - with two arenas to choose from and the fresh (?) night air providing the backdrop, it's a party not to be missed. Tickets are already on sale and if you think your body can take 2 nights on the trot (6th and 7th August), then there's a discounted 40 Euros double ticket. Tempted?

There's also plenty to sink your teetch into in the days before the main event, with the big players in town joining in the warm up party. There's the Chiringuito at Bogatell Beach, Otto Zutz, Catwalk, Row 14 and SOLO club all getting in on the act. For full details and line up see the official site on the link above.

Are you coming to Barcelona for the festival? Go last year? repeating? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear from you. And if you're looking for last-minute accommodation for the festival, try self-catering apartments in Barcelona instead of the hotel option.

Primavera Sound Festival

The good weather brings along some great festivals in Barcelona during the early part of the summer. First on the list is Primavera Sound from the 28th to 30th May - which is actually "spring sound" but it feels like summer, with the nice weather we've been having this last week! Some big names have lined up again for this year's festival, which takes place in the Parc del Forum - despite organisers claiming they would look for an alternative venue after such high levels of neighbour complaints last year.



There are some pre-festival events this coming week as everyone jumps on the band wagon (no pun intended) in side-car (inside plaça Reial in the old town) and Apolo which includes the screening of the Champions League Final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United.

Some of the big names include Neil Young, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Aphex Twin, Bloc Party, Jarvis Cocker, Yo La Tengo, The Jayhawks, Spiritualized, Michael Nyman, Throwing Muses, Saint Etienne, The Jesus Lizard and Ghostface Killah but there are hundreds of acts, and tickets are still on sale through the website.

If you're looking for accommodation for the festival, try apartments for rent in Barcelona as a great base to chill out a couple of days before or after. Also, for information on the city as a whole, see this great Barcelona Guide.