Primavera Sound 2013 Preview

The true summer music festival season starts not in America or the U.K. but Spain, specifically Catalonia, in Barcelona’s Primavera Sound. Every year, acts huge, critically acclaimed, and...
Primavera Sound 2013 Preview

Primavera Sound 2013 Preview

The true summer music festival season starts not in America or the U.K. but Spain, specifically Catalonia, in Barcelona’s Primavera Sound.  Every year, acts huge, critically acclaimed, and both come to the Parc del Fòrum for three amazing days (along with side shows before & after).  2013 is no different, with a massive line-up of artists from the brand new to wonderful reunion, experimental to pop, folk to metal, and much more, Wednesday to Sunday, May 22nd to 26th:

 

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22nd

Ray-Ban Stage

Delorean, 22:20

Iceland may have long been the oddest place for a pop star to come out of, but challenging that is the Spanish Basque country (better known for its incomprehensible language, bullfighting & ETA guerillas) in Delorean.  While they toiled in obscurity for a while, an appearance at SXSW 2007 (QRO recap) saw the synth-pop outfit finally get some attention, with worldwide release Subiza in 2010.
Delorean
The Vaccines, 21:00

The Vaccines (QRO live review) have grown up (somewhat) with last fall’s Come of Age (QRO review), with their garage rock maybe finally earning some all the attention they got (QRO photos at a festival) from debut What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? (QRO review).
The Vaccines
Also:

Guards, 20:00QRO photos at a festival

The Bots, 19:00 (also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Thursday, 23:00)

Aliment, 18:00
Guards

La [2] de Apolo

DJ Pegatas, 03:10

Parquet Courts, 02:20

Veronica Falls, 01:00QRO album review

Cheatahs, 00:00
Veronica Falls

Sala Apolo

Felix & Al, 02:45

John Talabot, 01:45 (also playing Ray-Ban Stage on Thursday at 04:15)

Poolside, 00:15 (also playing Ray-Ban Stage on Thursday at 18:30)
John Talabot

Salón Smint MySpace

Evans The Death, 22:10 (also playing Adidas Originals Stage on Thursday, 20:45)

Foxhound, 21:10 (also playing Adidas Originals Stage on Saturday, 19:30, and Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 1 on Sunday, 12:30)

Telebit, 20:10 (also playing Adidas Originals Stage on Thursday, 00:30)

NormA, 19:10 (also playing Adidas Originals Stage on Friday, 20:45)

La BIG Rabia, 18:20 (also playing Adidas Originals Stage on Saturday, 20:45)
Evans The Death
La BIG Rabia

 

 

THURSDAY, MAY 23rd

Heineken Stage

Phoenix, 01:40

There are a precious few bands out there who you can’t understand anyone not loving, and one of them is Phoenix (QRO live review).  The Versailles outfit (that’s oddly where all the French indie acts come from…) built and built their indie-pop songcraft throughout this century/millennium (including getting a song on the Lost In Translation soundtrack – and singer Thomas Mars would later marry the director, Sofia Coppola), with greater and greater international success (QRO live review), but broke through into the tops (QRO live review) with 2009’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (QRO review), which saw them win such acclaims as the Grammy for Best Alternative Album – and QRO’s #1 Album of 2009.  It’s been a tough wait for the band (QRO photos) to return, but return they have, an in full force, from the new Bankrupt! (QRO review) and big shows (QRO live review) to headlining festivals from Coachella to Primavera Sound (QRO photos outdoors).
Phoenix
The Postal Service, 22:55

Ten years ago Death Cab for Cutie (QRO album review) frontman Ben Gibbard (QRO solo album review) and Jimmy Tamborello of DNTEL (QRO album review) traded recordings over the mail to make Give Up – and the world of music was never the same.  With Rilo Kiley (QRO album review) singer Jenny Lewis (QRO live review) as The Postal Service, they created the ‘indietronic’ genre, and basically began the current wave of indie-rockers picking up synths and electronics.

And then… nothing.  Everyone returned to their original jobs, and while those were acclaimed ones, people around the world wanted to know if there would be any more from The Postal Service.  Now, after years & years of denials, they’re back (QRO photos), and while the tenth anniversary deluxe edition of Give Up (QRO deluxe edition review) feels like a bit of an unnecessary cash-in, they’ve returned to the road as well (with Lewis), from festivals to headlining stadiums.
The Postal Service
Tame Impala, 20:30

From halfway around the world in Perth (QRO photos at a home), Western Australia (QRO photos at a hometown festival), comes the psychedelic rock of Tame Impala (QRO live review), touring off of 2011’s Innerspeaker (QRO review) & last year’s Lonerism, whose critical acclaim has won them fans across the world (QRO photos at a festival).
Tame Impala
Wild Nothing, 18:25

Sun-soaked, fuzzy, dream pop that should go well with a sun-soaked festival.  Wild Nothing (QRO live review) is Jack Tatum’s wonderful solo project (QRO live review), and with Nocturne (QRO review), the follow-up to his wonderful first album Gemini (QRO album review) out last year, there’s sure to be plenty of new music afoot (QRO photos at a festival).
Wild Nothing

Primavera Stage

Animal Collective, 03:10

Amongst the main highly praised experimental acts at Primavera Sound, none is more highly praised or as experimental as Animal Collective.  2009’s Merriweather Post Pavilion (QRO review) got the kind of praise that makes one sick of a band (though it was certainly an improvement on their prior release, Strawberry Jam), though last year’s Centipede Hz was called a bit of a repeat by some (QRO review).  By this time, the electronics-and-more collective is commonplace, but this Baltimore outfit still rule the roost (QRO live review).  Like a lot of electronica, however, they do struggle live outdoors (QRO photos outdoors at a festival), but should do better at night, like they did at Primavera ’11 (QRO photos).
Animal Collective
Grizzly Bear, 00:15

Things have gotten very big for Grizzly Bear (QRO live review), surprising many who thought the humble, intricate Brooklyn outfit (QRO live review) was too complex for mass appeal.  Yet mass appeal is what the group has gotten off of recent records Shields and Veckatimest, as their sonic beauty transcends (QRO photos).  They’ve even played Stephen Colbert’s ‘ColbChella’ (QRO photos at ColbChella ‘012), which is surely a highlight in any act’s career, even compared to playing Primavera ‘10 (QRO photos at a festival).
Grizzly Bear
Dinosaur Jr., 21:45

Back & better than ever is Dinosaur Jr. (QRO photos at a festival)!  In the late eighties and early nineties, one of the biggest & best bands in the punk-grunge revolution was Dinosaur Jr. (QRO live review), combining a hippie-punk ethos (and artwork) with feedback-driven guitar from the legendary J Mascis (QRO solo album review).  The trio (QRO live review) was also characterized by Mascis’ controlling tendencies, leading to the departure first of bassist Lou Barlow (QRO solo album review) for his Sebadoh (QRO live review) and eventually even beloved drummer Murph, with Mascis retiring the ‘Dinosaur Jr.’ moniker in 1997.

But then the band reunited (QRO live review outdoors) – with original line-up! – to tour their re-release of old, Barlow-era records (QRO photos at a festival in St. LOUis).  And they kept going (QRO photos at a festival), putting out three new records that are some of their best yet, Beyond (QRO review) and Farm (QRO review), with I Bet On Sky coming out last fall (QRO review).  So revel in the glory (QRO photos at a festival) that is Dinosaur Jr. (QRO photos) – but bring your earplugs, because J’s ‘circle of amps’ is a force to be reckoned with (QRO photos at a festival).
Dinosaur Jr.
Neko Case, 19:20

While she first got notice as the main lady of indie-rock collective The New Pornographers (QRO live review), Neko Case (QRO photos outdoors) has also crafted her own solo career (even had her voice on an episode of Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force…).  She hasn’t released any new solo material since 2009’s Middle Cyclone (QRO review), but hopefully there will be some new songs in the mix at Primavera Sound.

Also:

El Inquilino Comunista, 17:40
Neko Case

ATP Stage

Fuck Buttons, 02:25

The eclectic, expansive electronica of U.K.’s Fuck Buttons (QRO live review) comes to Primavera (QRO photos outdoors).  Hopefully the duo of Andrew Hung & Benjamin Power (QRO live review) have some new material as they return to Primavera Sound, as they haven’t released an album since 2009’s Tarot Sport, their follow-up to prior year’s debut Street Horrrsing (QRO review).
Fuck Buttons
Death Grips, 01:10

Alt-hip-hop has grown into experimental hip-hop, the next big thing in outfits like Sacramento’s Death Grips (QRO photos at a festival) – who also have a wild stage show more akin to Odd Future (QRO live review).
Death Grips
Hot Snakes, 00:00

San Diego’s Hot Snakes mixed DIY and hardcore up until their 2005 break-up, which saw members join/form groups such as The Night Marchers (QRO photos) and Obits (QRO album review), but 2011 brought a reunion that has kept on going.
Hot Snakes
Bob Mould, 22:45

Few at even the veteran-friendly Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) have been doing it as long as Bob Mould (QRO live review).   From the seminal Hüsker Dü (QRO spotlight on) in the eighties through the nineties’ successful Sugar (QRO deluxe edition review) to his solo work and today’s Bob Mould Band (QRO live review), Mould has been crafting great record after great record, most recently with 2008’s District Line (QRO review), the following year’s Life and Times (QRO review), and last year’s Silver Age (QRO review).  Last year he toured playing Sugar’s amazing Copper Blue (QRO live review) for its twentieth anniversary, but comes to Primavera (QRO photos a festival) with his whole impressive discography in tow (QRO live review).
Bob Mould
Do Make Say Think, 21:35

One of the best bands in post-rock is Toronto’s Do Make Say Think (QRO photos at a festival).  Sort of a post-rock version of Canadian alt-rock collectives like Broken Social Scene (QRO spotlight on), if the outfit’s got a leader, it would be mad musical scientist Charles Spearin (QRO interview) – also of Broken Social Scene.
Do Make Say Think
Also:

Degreaser, 20:25 (also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Thursday, 22:00)

White Fence, 19:15QRO photos at a festival 
White Fence

Ray-Ban Stage

John Talabot, 04:15

Have you ever checked out an artist from the Spanish Electronic genre?  No?  Then Barcelona’s own John Talabot would be a good place to start. Having released only one album so far (2012’s Fin), he shows much promise in the way of longevity.

Also playing Sala Apolo on Wednesday, 01:45
John Talabot
Simian Mobile Disco, 01:40

The Disco gets very Mobile when ‘The James’ – Ford & Shaw – bring the light & sound show that is Simian Mobile Disco (QRO live review) back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos), headlining the Spring Street Stage at night, where their lights can really shine (QRO photos).
Simian Mobile Disco
Deerhunter, 22:55

No one was more prolific in 2008 than Deerhunter’s singer/guitarist Bradford Cox (QRO live review), who not only put out the well-received Microcastle (QRO review), but also included a second disc of all-original bonus material, Weird Era Cont. (QRO review) – and oh, yeah, released a solo record (as Atlas Sound, who played Primavera Sound last year – QRO photos), Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (QRO review) that beat ‘em both.  And, after a hiatus & Atlas Sound’s Logos (QRO review), 2011 saw Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) reach even higher thanks to Halcyon Digest (QRO review) – and this year they follow it up with Monomania.  Known for electric shows whether as the Sound (QRO live review) or with Deerhunter (QRO live review outdoors), Cox & Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) have been as prolific with the festivals (QRO photos at a festival), including Primavera in 2009.

Also playing Sala Apolo on Sunday, 1:30
Deerhunter
Also:

Manel, 20:30

Poolside, 18:30 (also playing Sala Apolo on Wednesday, 00:15)

La Brigada, 17:00
Poolside

Pitchfork Stage

Jackmaster, 03:30

Jackmaster returns to Primavera Sound for a second year, this time presenting ‘Tweak-A-Holic’.
Jackmaster
Four Tet, 02:25

U.K. post-rock electronic musician Kieran Hebden, also who’s remixed everyone from Andrew Bird (QRO live review) to Radiohead (QRO live review), tours once more as Four Tet (QRO photos outdoors), on the back of last year’s Pink.
Four Tet
Fucked Up, 00:55

While Holy Fuck (QRO live review) lost the Polaris Music Prize in 2008, that kind of a name didn’t stop Fucked Up from winning it the following year with Chemistry of Common Life (though it almost derailed The Pool Parties at Williamsburg Waterfront in Brooklyn – QRO photos), and the band followed that up with singles collection Couple Tracks (QRO review) and 2011’s concept rock opus, David Comes to Life.  Whether their hardcore music lives up to praise rarely given to hardcore is still up for debate, but what isn’t is how nuts the crowd goes (QRO photos at a festival) for this act out of Toronto (QRO photos outdoors), with singer/frontman Damian Abraham bringing it, shirtless and crazy (QRO photos at a festival), like at Primavera 2009.
Fucked Up
Killer Mike, 23:25

Michael Render made his debut as Killer Mike (QRO photos at a festival) on “Snappin’ and Trappin’ from OutKast’s Stankonia back in 2000, but has been making his own name (QRO photos) – even owns a barbershop…
Killer Mike
Jessie Ware, 21:55

Jessie Ware (QRO photos at a festival) has been called, “The missing link between Adele, SBTRKT, and Sade,” thanks to last year’s impressive debut, Devotion.
Jessie Ware
METZ, 20:45

Both loud and skilled, METZ (QRO live review) come ready to rock and impress at Primavera Sound.
METZ
Savages, 19:30

The new band of the year for most, the quartet from London debut at the Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) ready to deliver their thrilling live experience of post-punk and noise in their first ever visit to Spain, hot off the release of Silence Yourself (QRO review).  A test to see if the hot-blooded Spanish audience responds to an even hotter-blooded band.
Savages
Also:

L’Hereu Escampa, 18:30
L’Hereu Escampa

VICE Stage

Toundra, 03:30

Dead Skeletons, 02:00

Menomena, 00:30QRO live review

Sean Nicholas Savage, 23:00QRO mp3 review (also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Thursday, 19:00)

Chris Cohen, 21:35

Fred I Son, 20:20

Woods, 19:15QRO photos at a festival
Menomena

Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage

The Bots, 23:00 (also playing Ray-Ban Stage on Wednesday, 19:00)

Degreaser, 22:00 (also playing ATP Stage on Thursday, 20:25)

La Familia Del Árbol, 20:00 (also playing Salón Smint MySpace on Thursday, 18:00)

Sean Nicholas Savage, 19:00 QRO mp3 review (also playing VICE Stage on Thursday, 23:00)
Sean Nicholas Savage

Salón Smint MySpace

Cut Your Hair, 19:30

Bella Darling, 19:00

German Carroscosa Y La Alegria Del Barrio, 18:30

La Familia Del Árbol, 18:00 (also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Thursday, 20:00)

Red Bull Tour Bus

Santa Rita, 17:15

Ocellot, 16:15
La Familia Del Árbol

Adidas Originals Stage

Computer Magic, 01:45

Telebit, 00:30 (also playing Salón Smint MySpace on Wednesday, 20:10)

Twilite, 23:15 – QRO photos at a festival

Plum, 22:00

Evans The Death, 20:45 (also playing Salón Smint MySpace on Wednesday, 20:45, 22:10)

Blue Willa, 19:30

Naive New Beaters, 18:15

Árbol de Ojos, 17:00
TwiliteEvans The Death

 

 

FRIDAY, MAY 24th

Heineken Stage

Blur, 01:30

If you’re going to Primavera Sound and you’re not going to see Blur, you’ve got to really question what you’re doing there – and whether or not you like music.  The definition of nineties Brit-pop, Blur crafted some of the best, most enjoyable songs of that decade or anything other – “There’s No Other Way”, “Sunday Sunday”, “Girls & Boys”, “Parklife”, “The Universal”, “Charmless Man”, “Song 2”, “Coffee & TV”… the list goes on & on.  “Song 2” might be the best two minutes of music (“Woo-hoo!”), while “The Universal” has one of the best music videos ever.

The twenty-first century wasn’t as kind of the band, as guitarist Graham Coxon (QRO live review) left, and the band sunk into hiatus as singer Damon Albarn explored super-groups like The Good, The Bad & The Queen (QRO album review) and Gorillaz (QRO album review).  Tony Blair left office, Brit-rock rivals Oasis declined – ‘Cool Britannia’ was no more.

But Britain & Brit-pop came back in full force last year, with the London Olympics – and the closing concert in the new Olympic Park, by Blur!  The reunion has kept up as one of the best & most beloved in this century/millennium of alt-reunions, from outshining fellow nineties Brit reunioners The Stone Roses at Coachella last month (the crowds were far bigger for Blur than for the day’s nominal headliners) to headlining Primavera Sound.
Blur
The Jesus and Mary Chain, 22:45

After gaining notoriety for their short and violent sets, The Jesus and Mary Chain (QRO photos at a festival) split in 1999 only to be reunited back in 2007.  The band (QRO photos at a festival) has released a slew of power punk albums in the ‘80s and ‘90s but have yet to release anything new.
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Django Django, 20:25

London art-rock outfit Django Django (QRO live review) have gone from a new nobody to critical acclaim at lightning speed (QRO live review).
Django Django
Kurt Vile & The Violators, 18:10

Even amongst all the lo-fi guitar-punks out there, Kurt Vile (QRO photos at a festival) has made a name for himself.  The former member of The War On Drugs (QRO live review), Kurt Vile has since formed his own ensemble with his Violators, and contributed to/opened for alt-punk guitar god J Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr. – QRO live review) on his solo record, Several Shades of Why (QRO review), and subsequent tour (plus Dinosaur Jr.’s You’re Living All Over Me show in NYC).  However, he’s since evolved into a frontman of his own (QRO live review).
Kurt Vile & The Violators

Primavera Stage

The Knife, 03:20

One of the most acclaimed acts in electronica is finally back!  Stockholm siblings Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer got critical acclaim in 2003 with Deep Cuts, widespread fans with 2006’s Silent Shout – and then didn’t release anything until now, with Shaking the Habitual (QRO review).
The Knife
James Blake, 00:15

If you didn’t live in London, you might never have heard of dubstep, so you probably would have been surprised when people started talking about ‘post-dubstep’, in the form of highly-hyped Brit James Blake (QRO live review).  But the former singer of (actual) dubstep outfit Mount Kimbie (QRO photos at a festival) has been making massive waves with his self-titled debut (QRO review) and now the new Overgrown, so see for yourself what all the fuss is about (QRO photos at a big venue).
James Blake
The Breeders, 21:30

It’s not Primavera Sound without a few artists performing their classic albums in full – one of those is The Breeders (QRO live review) performing their classic Last Splash in full (QRO live review performing Last Splash) for its twentieth anniversary (which is good because, while Last Splash is still amazing, their later material, like 2008’s Mountain BattlesQRO review – isn’t…).
The Breeders
Peace, 19:30

Peace (QRO photos at a festival) became the buzz of the U.K. last year with their debut EP, Delicious.  With their updated Madchester sound, two tracks (“California Daze” and “Bloodshake”) were named NME‘s “Top 50 Songs of 2012.”  Peace’s full-length debut In Love came out in March 2013 to positive reviews, expanding on the soundscapes on Delicious.  The BBC has nominated Peace for the “Sound of 2013″ poll.  Primavera comes right before a 14 date North American tour (QRO photos at an American festival).

Also:

Pony Bravo, 17:50
Peace

Pitchfork Stage

Disclosure, 04:35

British electronic duo Disclosure spin beats late into the night.
Disclosure
Titus Andronicus, 03:15

Straight outta Jersey comes Garden State pridesters (QRO photos outdoors at a festival) Titus Andronicus (QRO photos at a festival), who were hitting all fifty hard (QRO photos out-of-state) even before (QRO photos at a festival) the release of their Civil War-inspired The Monitor (QRO review) – though last year’s Local Business (QRO review) was a big of a retread.  But they’re not afraid of playing overseas (like at Primavera ’10) or outdoors (QRO photos outdoors).
Titus Andronicus
Glass Candy, 01:25

Now coming up on fifteen years together, the Portland, Oregon electronica duo of singer Ida No & instrumentalist/producer Johnny Jewel have moved from their noise rock-meets-electropop origins to incorporating such diverse sounds as Italian disco & Marilyn Monroe as Glass Candy.
Glass Candy
Doldrums, 00:15

In the late nineties, Fairfax, Virginia’s Doldrums combined post-rock with psychedelia and improvisation, but seemingly called it quits in 2000 – only to now return.
Doldrums
Local Natives, 22:45

Silver Lake’s Local Natives (QRO photos at a festival) have been riding the alt-country/folk wave, but seem to be doing it better than most, charting in 2010 with debut Gorilla Manor and last year’s Hummingbird (QRO review), moving up to headliner tours (QRO live review), and well-received on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival).
Local Natives
Solange, 21:35

While still best known as being little sister to Beyoncé, Solange Knowles (QRO photos outdoors at a festival) has pipes all her own.
Solange
Daughn Gibson, 20:30

Former Pearls and Bass drummer Daughn Gibson (QRO photos at a festival) recently broke out on his own with last year’s All Hell.

Also:

The Free Fall Band, 19:25 (also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Friday, 21:30)
Daughn Gibson

Ray-Ban Stage

Daphni (DJ set), 04:30

Daniel Snaith, the acclaimed electronic musician Caribou (QRO live review), puts on his DJ persona Daphni late night at Primavera Sound.
Daphni
Swans, 01:20

An influential act who’s a regular at Primavera Sound is New York’s post-punk pioneers Swans (QRO live review) – Swans played back in 2011, with frontman Michael Gira playing Primavera solo last year (QRO photos).
Swans
Tinariwen, 22:45

For truly world music, check out Tinariwen (QRO photos at a festival).  The group of Tuareg-Berber musicians came out of the Sahara deserts of northern Mali (which was in revolt against the military coup in the south of the country, before Al-Qaeda took over and the French invaded) following time in the refugee camps in Libya.  They’ve been in Qaddafi training camps, served as rebel fighters, all the while making and spreading music about their people.  The new century/millennium saw the group finally get attention around the world, including big-name fans like Bono & Thom Yorke, and reached the pinnacle last year – performing on The Colbert Report (with TV On the Radio – QRO live review).
Tinariwen


Also:

PAUS, 20:25

Nick Waterhouse, 18:40

Dulce Pájara De Juventud, 17:00
Nick Waterhouse

Auditori Rockdelux

Christopher Owens, 21:00

Christopher Owens fronted Girls, the band (QRO photos at a festival) with maybe the least creative titling ever (their debut is ‘Album’ – QRO review – at least there’s no actual females in the band…), who got notice largely because Owens was raised in the actually scarily crazy Children of God cult.  But the neo-pop sounds of Girls (QRO photos at a festival) kept on finding fans (QRO live review).  However, after 2011’s follow-up Father, Son, Holy Ghost (QRO review), he left the band (QRO live review) to follow his own solo career with last year’s Lysandre, and now comes to Primavera Sound, after playing it in Girls last year (QRO photos).
Christopher Owens
Daniel Johnston, 19:30

Singer/songwriter/artist Daniel Johnston (QRO video interview) first came to notice thanks to fans of his like Kurt Cobain & Thurston Moore, and his struggle with bipolar disorder & fame was chronicled in the 2006 documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston.  While still not on an even keel, he still produces & performs (QRO live review) work that can reach into the brilliant, such as “Life In Vain” (QRO video).

Also:

Mulatu Astatke, 17:15

Ethan Johns, 16:00
Daniel Johnston

VICE Stage

King Tuff, 04:20

King Tuff (QRO photos at a festival) is a 1976 Camaro bathed in brown liquor and rattling with the sounds of dirtbag punk.  He’s got a charisma that precedes him and last year’s self-titled album (QRO review) to throw at you.  It’s not exactly lo-fi, but he recorded it himself and sounds like something that crawled out of a garage, which is high praise indeed.
King Tuff
Guardian Alien, 02:30

Drummer Greg Fox has rotated collaborators in his experimental noise-rock outfit, Guardian Alein.

Also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Friday, 19:30
Guardian Alien
How To Dress Well, 01:05

Experimental pop artist Tom Krell (QRO interview) comes to Primavera Sound behind his second album, last year’s Total Loss.

Also:

Daughter, 23:50

La Bien Querida, 22:30

Matthew E. White, 21:20

Dope Body, 19:40

Kiev Cuando Nieva, 18:35
How To Dress Well

ATP Stage

Goat, 02:00

Fusing alternative, experimental, and world music is Sweden’s Goat, who’ve of course been getting critical acclaim already.
Goat
Neurosis, 00:05

The eighties was just the era that gave us post-punk – it also gave us post-metal like Neurosis, who are coming up on thirty years of dark existence.
Neurosis
SQÜRL, 22:40

Acclaimed independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch (he appeared in the episode of The Simpsons where they went to Sundance…) is no stranger to music, having curated All Tomorrow’s Parties New York in 2010 and is currently working on a documentary about The Stooges.  He also released two albums with Dutch minimalist composer Jozef van Wissem – and now they make the team up official as SQÜRL.
SQÜRL
Shellac, 21:25

Famed producer Steve Albini started in eighties punk act Big Black, and keeps him hand in the performing side of the game fronting Shellac – who are coming to Primavera Sound for their fourth year in a row (QRO photos at Primavera ’11).
Shellac
Also:

OM, 20:20

Merchandise, 19:15QRO photos at a festival (also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Friday, 22:15, and Sala Apollo on Sunday, 23:55)

Ghostigital, 18:00
Merchandise

Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage

Merchandise, 22:15QRO photos at a festival (also playing ATP Stage on Friday, 19:15, and Sala Apollo on Sunday, 23:55)

The Free Fall Band, 21:30 (also playing Pitchfork Stage on Friday, 19:25)

Guardian Alien, 19:30 (also playing VICE Stage on Friday, 02:30)
Guardian Alien

Salón Smint MySpace

Tokyo Sex Destruction, 19:30

Wild Balbina, 19:00

Santiago Motorizado, 18:30

Wilhelm & The Dancing Animals, 18:00

Panty Pantera, 17:30

Halcõn, 17:00

Red Bull Tour Bus

Marina Gallardo, 17:15

Muy Fellini, 16:15
Tokyo Sex Destruction

Adidas Originals Stage

Sex Jams, 01:45

The Ringo Jets, 00:30

107 Famous, 23:15

Go-Neko!, 22:00

NormA, 20:45 (also playing Salón Smint MySpace on Wednesday, 19:10)

Honeybird & The Birdies, 19:30 (also playing Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 1 on Sunday, 12:00)

Desayuno, 18:15

Moonflower, 17:00
Honeybird & The Birdies

 

 

SATURDAY, MAY 25th

Heineken Stage

My Bloody Valentine, 02:25

If Blur (see above) invented & perfected Brit-pop in the nineties, Dublin’s My Bloody Valentine did the same for shoegaze.  1991’s seminal Loveless is still beloved around the world (even though it almost bankrupted their label at the time), but after it the band became inactive – only to reunite in 2007, hitting the festival circuit (including Primavera 2009), headlining and even curating them.  Earlier this year, the band stunned and delighted fans by announcing Loveless’ follow-up was finally on its way – and then released m b v online the next week (crashing their server…).
My Bloody Valentine
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, 23:35

Amid the iconic & iconoclastic artists at Primavera Sound 2013, maybe no one is more of both than Nick Cave.  First in post-punk outfits The Boy Next Door and The Birthday Party, then fronting his own Bad Seeds (QRO photos), Nick Cave’s work has spread widely across genres, years, and countries (he started in the late seventies in Melbourne).  Cave went harder rock went he invented side project Grinderman (QRO photos at Primavera ’11), most recently on 2010’s Grinderman 2 (QRO review) but also 2008’s Bad Seeds release, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! – yet for this year’s much-acclaimed Push the Sky Away (QRO review), he’s brought much of his epic gothic nature.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Band of Horses, 20:55

Before the current, unceasing wave of alt-country, there was Seattle’s Band of Horses (QRO live review), who broke through with debut Everything All the Time and “Funeral” in 2006.  While guitarist/co-founder Matt Brooke left after that for Grand Archives (QRO live review), singer/guitarist Ben Bridwell kept on the trail, with the following year’s Cease to Begin (QRO review).  Band of Horses (QRO photos at a festival) dropped a little off the radar following that, but came back in 2010 with Infinite Arms (QRO review), a more polished record in ways good & bad, but picked it up last year with Mirage Rock (QRO review), and are riding (QRO live review) from festival to festival (QRO photos at a festival).

Also:

Adam Green & Binki Shapiro, 18:35
Band of Horses

Primavera Stage

Hot Chip, 03:50

Maybe the first band to hit it big in this century/millennium’s electronic indie-dance scene was LCD Soundsystem (QRO live review) – but the second was close friend Hot Chip (QRO photos).  The Warning and “Over and Over” lifted the band (QRO photos) to the big time in 2006, and they’ve kept it going (QRO live review) with Made In the Dark (QRO review), One Life Stand (QRO review), and most recently last year’s In Our Heads.
Hot Chip
Los Planetas, 01:05

Back in the 2001 inaugural Primavera Sound Festival, one of the best bands was Spain’s own Los Planetas, who now return to Primavera.
Los Planetas
Wu-Tang Clan, 22:20

“Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothing to fuck with!”  The Staten Island outfit was the hip-hop collective of the nineties, spawning the careers of the likes of RZA (QRO photos at a festival), GZA (QRO live review), Method Man, Raekwon (QRO photos at a festival), Ghostface Killah, and more.  As fearless as they are skilled, Wu-Tang is arguably the greatest rap group ever.  Their members have done much else (not just singing – RZA recently released his directorial debut, Russell Crowe kung-fu flick The Man with the Iron Fists), but have been getting the band back together (save for the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard).

Also:

Extraperlo, 17:50
Wu-Tang Clan

ATP Stage

Omar Souleyman, 03:05

Celebrate the Arab Spring at Primavera Sound with Omar Souleyman!  The Arab/Kurdish musician (QRO photos at a festival) hails from northeastern Syria, a hotbed of today’s brave resistance to the (hopefully) next Mid-East dictator to fall.  Thankfully Souleyman’s traditional Middle Eastern music – much of it recorded live at local weddings – has already traveled the world.
Omar Souleyman
Nurse With Wound, 02:05

Avant-garde artist Steven Stapleton, a.k.a. Nurse With Wound (or just ‘NWW’), has been bending genres for over thirty years now.
Nurse With Wound
Phosphorescent, 00:55

Alt-country/indie-folk has been booming, especially on the festival circuit, and while Primavera Sound is lighter on it than most alternative music festivals (to say nothing of all the jam band fests out there), there’s still a slot for Athens, Georgia-by-way-of-Brooklyn, NY Phosphorescent (QRO photos outdoors).  Returning to Europe (QRO European tour review) & Primavera behind the new Muchacho, they’re less jam & more touch than their contemporaries, and love to play outdoors (QRO photos outdoors).
Phosphorescent
Meat Puppets, 23:35

‘The Brothers Meat’, as Kurt Cobain called Curt & Cris Kirkwood of The Meat Puppets (QRO photos outdoors) in the seminal MTV Unplugged session where they sat in with Nirvana (QRO DVD review), have been through major ups & downs, including break-ups & jail time.  But the seminal eighties (QRO live review) punk rock act helped birth the ‘cowpunk’ genre, and have kept it up (QRO photos) with post-reunion records like 2009’s Sewn Together (QRO review), 2011’s Lollipop (QRO review), and the new Rat Farm (QRO review).
Meat Puppets
Thee Oh Sees, 22:15

Hailing from The O.C. (the name was original ‘Orange County Sound’, then ‘OCS’, then – well, you get the idea…), John Dwyer formed Thee Oh Sees (QRO photos at a festival) to put out his experimental, instrumental home recordings, but over seven records has morphed into a full band and a wild live show (QRO photos at a festival).  Thee Oh Sees return to Primavera (QRO photos at a festival) for a second year in a row, behind the new Floating Coffin.
Thee Oh Sees
Roll the Dice, 21:00

Stockholm’s Malcolm Pardon and Peder Mannerfelt comprise the electronic, analogue duo Roll the Dice.
Roll the Dice
The Sea and Cake, 19:40

There’s no band as truly ‘easy to listen to’ as The Sea and Cake (QRO live review)  – and that’s meant as a compliment, a serious compliment.  At almost two decades now, The Sea and Cake (QRO photos outdoors) have remained the steadiest of hands in the Chicago post-rock scene (QRO live review), most recently with 2012’s Runner (QRO review) and 2011’s The Moonlight Butterfly (QRO review), and before that 2008’s Car Alarm (QRO review) and 2007’s Everybody (QRO review).  Before their members split up again for their various other projects (such as John McEntire’s work in Tortoise – QRO live review – or as producer on Broken Social Scene’s Forgiveness Rock RecordQRO review), catch them at Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival).

Also:

Mount Eerie, 18:20
The Sea and Cake

Ray-Ban Stage

DJ Coco, 04:50

DJ Coco returns to Primavera Sound for a second year in a row, to close out the Ray-Ban Stage.
DJ Coco
Crystal Castles, 02:15

Most electronic acts are restrained on stage, even when their crowd is going nuts, but the duo of Ethan Kath & Alice Glass (QRO live review) match their audience’s fervor – which has gotten them booted from more than one stage, especially at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).  So even if you fall on the ‘hate’ side of this love-them-or-hate-them act (from Canada, surprisingly…), show up for the spectacle… (QRO live review)
Crystal Castles
Camera Obscura, 23:30

Despite its dour reputation, Scotland has also given birth to some sweet indie-pop, such as Glasgow’s Camera Obscura (QRO live review).  While 2009’s My Maudlin Career (QRO review) wasn’t quite up to prior work, the band is still charming live (QRO live review), and comes to Primavera Sound for a second time behind their new Desire Lines (QRO photos).
Camera Obscura
Dead Can Dance, 21:00

The singular Dead Can Dance (QRO photos) mix everything from African polyrhythms, Gaelic folk, Gregorian chant, and Middle Eastern mantras in an ethereal gothic dark wave.

Also:

Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou, 18:40

Guadalupe Plata, 17:00
Dead Can Dance

Pitchfork Stage

DJ Koze, 04:40

The Magician, 03:25

Scuba Live, 02:20

Britain-by-way-of-Berlin dubstep DJ Scuba plays live in the wee hours for the second Primavera Sound in a row.
Scuba
Liars, 01:00

Though 2001’s They Threw Us All In a Trench and Stuck a Monument On Top got Liars (QRO photos outdoors) labeled ‘dance-punk’, they’ve since shifted radically, losing old fans, but gaining new ones (QRO photos at a festival), especially with 2010’s Sisterworld (QRO review) & last year’s WIXIW (QRO review), including live (QRO photos) and at festivals (QRO photos at a festival), like Primavera Sound 2009.
Liars
Dan Deacon, 23:30

One of the acts bringing the wild, DIY element to Primavera Sound is Dan Deacon (QRO photos).  The Baltimore native (QRO photos outdoors) is a man of many talents, including throwing his own DIY festivals & tours, like 2009’s ‘Round Robin’ tour (QRO live review) with No Age (QRO live review) & Primavera 2013’s Deerhunter (see above & below).   But he’s still best known as an electronic musician, most recently with last year’s America (QRO review) and 2009’s Bromst (QRO review), which get wild live (QRO live review), whether with his fifteen-piece backing band (QRO live review) or Deacon standing & playing from in the crowd (QRO photos, outdoors at a festival), like at festivals (QRO photos at a festival) like Primavera Sound 2009.
Dan Deacon
Antónia Font, 22:10

From just out in the Mediterranean comes the festive Antónia Font, playing Primavera Sound for a second time.
Antónia Font
Mac DeMarco, 20:50

Some artists toil in obscurity for years, even decades, but Mac DeMarco (QRO photos at a festival) is only just old enough to drink (in America), and already has his debut full-length, Mac DeMarco 2.

Also playing Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 2 on Sunday, 17:15

Also:

Melody’s Echo Chamber, 19:45

Betunizer, 18:45
Mac DeMarco

Auditori Rockdelux

Dexys, 21:00

Apparat, 19:30

From Germany comes Berlin’s Apparat (QRO live review in continental Europe).  Sacha Ring has been bringing his electronics on records like 2011’s Devil’s Walk and 2007’s Walls (QRO review), but at Primavera Sound he plays this year’s Krieg und Frieden.

Also:

Nils Fraham, 18:00

Pantha du Prince & The Bell Laboratory, 16:00
Apparat

VICE Stage

The Suicide of Western Culture, 04:30

Headbirds, 03:25

The Drones, 02:05

The Babies, 00:35QRO photos at a festival (also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Saturday, 21:00)

Tarántula, 23:15

Hidrogenesse, 21:55

Bored Spies, 20:35 (also playing Ray-Ban Stage on Saturday, 18:30, and Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 2, 15:45)

Cayucas, 19:30QRO photos at a festival (also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Saturday, 22:00, and Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 1 on Sunday, 16:30)
The Babies

Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage

Sr. Chinarro, 23:00 (also playing Sala BARTS on Sunday, 21:30)

Cayucas, 22:00 QRO photos at a festival (also playing VICE Stage on Saturday, 17:30, and Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 1 on Sunday, 16:30)

The Babies, 21:00QRO photos at a festival (also playing VICE Stage on Saturday, 00:35)

Lost Tapes, 20:00

Bored Spies, 18:30 (also playing VICE Stage on Saturday, 19:30, and Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 2, 15:45)
Cayucas

Salón Smint MySpace

Josele Santiago, 19:30

Bullit, 19:00

Syberia, 18:30

Grushenka, 18:00

Las Tocayas, 17:30

Modelo De Respiesta Polar, 17:00

Red Bull Tour Bus

Sultan Bathery, 17:15

Kokoshca, 16:15
Josele Santiago

Adidas Originals Stage

Fuka Lata, 01:45

Jim Coleman, 00:30

Limbotheque, 23:15

Perrosky, 22:00

La BIG Rabia, 20:45 (also playing Salón Smint Stage on Wednesday, 18:20)

Foxhound, 19:30 (also playing Salón Smint Stage on Wednesday, 21:10, and Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 1 on Sunday, 12:30)

Hal Flavin, 18:15

Emmerson, 17:00
La BIG Rabia

 

 

SUNDAY, MAY 26th

Sala Apolo

The 2 Bears, 03:00

Deerhunter, 01:30

No one was more prolific in 2008 than Deerhunter’s singer/guitarist Bradford Cox (QRO live review), who not only put out the well-received Microcastle (QRO review), but also included a second disc of all-original bonus material, Weird Era Cont. (QRO review) – and oh, yeah, released a solo record (as Atlas Sound, who played Primavera Sound last year – QRO photos), Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (QRO review) that beat ‘em both.  And, after a hiatus & Atlas Sound’s Logos (QRO review), 2011 saw Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) reach even higher thanks to Halcyon Digest (QRO review) – and this year they follow it up with Monomania.  Known for electric shows whether as the Sound (QRO live review) or with Deerhunter (QRO live review outdoors), Cox & Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) have been as prolific with the festivals (QRO photos at a festival), including Primavera in 2009.

Also playing Ray-Ban Stage on Thursday, 22:55
Deerhunter
Also:

Merchandise, 23:55 – QRO photos at a festival (also playing ATP Stage on Friday, 19:15, and Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Friday, 22:15)

Allah Las, 22:30

Miquel Serra, 21:30
Merchandise

Sala BARTS

Come, 22:30

Sr. Chinarro, 21:30 (also playing Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Saturday, 23:00)

Julie Doiron, 20:30 QRO live review

The Orchids, 19:30
Julie Doiron
La [2] de Apolo

Mëther & Zacker, 03:30

Graham, 02:10

The Haxan Cloak, 01:10

Vactor, 00:00
The Haxan Cloak
Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 1

Cayucas, 16:30 – QRO photos at a festival (also playing VICE Stage on Saturday, 17:30, and Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage on Saturday, 22:00)

Fighter Pillow, 14:00

Foxhound, 12:30 (also playing Salón Smint Stage on Wednesday, 21:10, and Saturday at Adidas Originals Stage, 19:30)

Honeybird & The Birdies, 12:00 (also playing Adidas Originals Stage on Friday, 19:30 )
Cayucas
Parc de la Ciutadella escenario 2

Mac DeMarco, 17:15 – QRO photos at a festival (also playing Pitchfork Stage on Saturday, 20:30)

Bored Spies, 15:45 (also playing Ray-Ban Stage on Saturday, 18:30)

Autumn Comets, 14:30
Mac DeMarco

 

 

For festival website, go here: http://www.primaverasound.es/?lang=en

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