Come on Sonar!! Come on Sonar!!

What a good feeling! Less than 2 weeks to go before the World Cup starts in South Africa, and we're well into the swing of things as regards partying, planning, barbequing (is that a word?) and then that all too familiar date pops up in your diary/BlackBerry/Iphone - 17th, 18th and 19th June. Woo-Hoo!! It's Sonar time!

Still a stroppy teenager at 17 years, Sonar is a Barcelona institution and never disappoints. There's something about Sonar arriving (end of exams, good weather usually been here for a while) that makes you quite sure summer has arrived (even though, technically it hasn't yet - not until Sant Joan!).



One thing I also always love about Sonar is the publicity promoting the events. This year is no exception, with the cool posters of ghosts splattered all around town (Yes, please I'll have one of them made into a bag, thanks). But it also appears that this year has more to do with it that just clever posters. Next Friday sees Renoir Floridablanca premiere "Finisterrae" which tells the story of two ghosts who are "tired of wandering limbo so decide to take the "Way of Saint James" and ...begin their journey to the land of the living" - classically wacky stuff and just in time for Sonar Kids which begins next weekend, too.

The line-up for Sonar this year is just as enviable as other years, with organisers managing to capture the imagination with headline industry greats The Chemical Brothers, Roxy Music or Air and mixing it up with usual suspects 2Many DJs and great cameos from people like the Sugarhill Gang, Dizzie Rascal, Pete Tong, The Pinker Tones...the list goes on.

One of the best things about Sonar is the by Day events, who despite pressure from neighbourhood groups, refuse to move from their extremely central position of in and around the MACBA and CCCB - right downtown in Barcelona's old town and not miles away at the Forum, for example. The night events are held at Gran Via 2 just outside the city and have enormous spaces with booming sound systems and attractions (dodgems!!). This year also sees parallel shows in A Coruña, with a similarly impressive line-up.

So what do you reckon? Heading to Sonar this year? Who are you looking forward to seeing? Let me know in the comments, below. And if you're visiting the city this June, don't forget to check out alternative accommodation to a hotel room, like these great Barcelona Rental Apartments for a different kind of holiday altogether!