Primavera Sound 2018 Preview

There really isn’t another festival out there like Barcelona’s Primavera Sound (save for its Portuguese spin-off, NOS Primavera Sound). It’s one of the biggest in the world, but also one of the best curated, with a line-up to make any music snob drool. It returns, both in the city & the park, Monday-Sunday, May 28th to June 3rd:

MONDAY, MAY 28th

Apolo Venue Kelsey Lu, 22:00 – 22:50 Ganges, 20:50 – 21:30
La [2] de Apolo The Men, 21:15 – 22:15 Harder-hitting pop-rock outfit The Men (QRO photos at a festival) cross boundaries from pop to metal to experimental (QRO photos at a festival) as they return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’12) to play twice (see below).

TUESDAY, MAY 29th

Apolo Venue The Sea and Cake, 22:00 – 23:00 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). Just before their return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Optimus Primavera Sound ’13), they come out with Any Day, the first since 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 Record – QRO review), catch them in Barcelona (QRO photos at a festival).
La [2] de Apolo The Men, 21:15 – 22:15 Harder-hitting pop-rock outfit The Men (QRO photos at a festival) cross boundaries from pop to metal to experimental (QRO photos at a festival) as they return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’12) to play twice (see above).

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30th

Primavera with Apple Music Stage Belle & Sebastian, 22:15 – 23:45 While everyone raves about all the nineties acts reuniting, pause for a moment to praise great bands from the last century/millennium who didn’t break up, such as Belle & Sebastian (QRO photos outdoors). The Glaswegian outfit’s ‘wistful pop’ has captured hearts for years & years now, with their latest full-length, 2015’s Girls In Peacetime Wanna Dance (QRO review), pretty much saying it all. They return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’15).
Wolf Parade, 20:55 – 21:45 Sometimes overlooked in the original ‘Canadian Invasion’, Montreal’s Wolf Parade (QRO live review) delivered a strong debut in 2005 with Apologies To Queen Mary, and kept that up with 2008’s At Mount Zoomer (QRO review) and 2010’s Expo 86 (QRO review). One reason the attention wasn’t as high was because it’s been diffused into not only the Parade (QRO live review), but also the acclaimed side-projects of singer/keyboardist Spencer Krug (Moonface, Sunset Rubdown – QRO live review) and singer/guitarist Dan Boeckner (Operators, Divine Fits – QRO album review). There’s also that the band disappeared after touring Expo (QRO live review of performance shortly before break) – but thankfully they’ve returned in style in 2016 (QRO recent live review), including at festivals (QRO photos at a recent festival), and last year released the awaited Cry Cry Cry (QRO review).
Also: Javier Mena, 19:00 – 19:45 Starcrawler, 18:00 – 18:40 Holy Bouncer, 17:00 – 17:35
Auditori Rockdelux Stage Spiritualized, 20:00 – 21:30 After the demise of the space-rock Spaceman 3, Jason Pierce stayed in the stratosphere (thanks to an inanimate carbon rod) as Spiritualized (QRO live review). They created the seminal Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space twenty years ago, and Spiritualized (QRO photos) comes back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘15 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’11) behind 2012’s Sweet Heart Sweet Light. Also: Maria Arnal I Marcel Bagés, 18:00 – 19:00
Apolo Venue Mount Kimbie, 03:30 – 05:00 Close friends to post-dubstep big-name James Blake, Mount Kimbie (QRO photos at a festival), bring a lighter electronica, and come to Primavera Sound behind last year’s Love What Survives, doing a bonus DJ set.
Mavi Phoenix, 20:55 – 21:40 Austrian-Syrian Mavi Phoenix had one the most viral songs of last year, “Aventura”, but brings much more to Primavera Sound, which she plays twice (see below). Also: Kedr Livanskiy, 01:00 – 02:00
La [2] de Apolo Willikens & Ivokic, 03:00 – 05:00 Umfang b2b Volvox, 01:30 – 03:00 Shanti Celeste, 00:00 – 01:30
Day Pro Jorra I Gomorra, 16:50 – 17:20 Populous, 16:00 – 16:30 North State, 15:10 – 15:40 The Zephyr Bones, 14:20 – 14:50 Marion Harper, 13:30 – 14:00 Any Other, 12:40 – 13:10 Guano Padano, 11:50 – 12:20
Heineken Hidden Stage Yung Beef, 19:45 – 20:55

THURSDAY, MAY 31st

Seat Stage CHVRCHES, 01:25 – 02:25 Scottish electro-pop outfit CHVRCHES (QRO live review) have gotten very big very fast (QRO photos at a festival), before & after the release of debut full-length The Bones of What You Believe (QRO review) – but are fronted by the tiny Lauren Mayberry (QRO photos at a festival) and some giant lights (QRO photos at a festival). They successfully followed up Bones with 2015’s Every Open Eye (QRO review), and have Love Is Dead out just before their return to Primavera Sound.
Björk, 22:00 – 23:30 The most famous native of Iceland since Erik the Red, there is simply no one else like Björk. The singer/songwriter is known worldwide for her eclectic, experimental, and avant-garde output, most recently with 2015’s Vulnicura and 2011’s Biophilia (QRO review), but she’s also worked in art, acting, and much more (including her virtual reality experience, 2016’s Björk Digital – QRO photos at a festival). You know her, you love her, it’s Björk.
Warpaint, 19:40 – 20:40 The experimental, even psychedelic rock of the four ladies that make up Warpaint (QRO photos) took a while to take hold, but has by now (QRO photos), and they come to back Primavera Sound (QRO photos at NOS Primavera Sound ‘14) behind 2016’s Heads Up (QRO review).
HINDS, 18:00 – 18:40 From just over in Madrid, female foursome HINDS (QRO photos at a festival) have been charming folks on both sides of the Atlantic with their cheery, if not very original, garage-rock.
Mango Stage Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, 23:40 – 01:10 Amid the iconic & iconoclastic artists at Primavera Sound, 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 Barcelona ’11), most recently on 2010’s Grinderman 2 (QRO review) but also 2008’s Bad Seeds release, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! – yet for 2013’s much-acclaimed Push the Sky Away (QRO review), he brought much of his epic gothic nature. In 2015, the musician was hit by the ultimate tragedy, losing his child Arthur in an accident. Somehow, Cave managed to channel his grief into not only the following year’s amazing Skeleton Tree (QRO review), but also documentary One More Time With Feeling (QRO review). You need to see him as he return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Optimus Primavera Sound ’13).
The War On Drugs, 20:50 – 21:50 Claimed to be “Best New Music” by Pitchfork for their 2011 album, Slave Ambient, The War On Drugs are often known for the jauntily confections of atmospheric guitars and rolling drums (QRO live review). The Philly outfit (QRO photos) later saw member Kurt Vile spin-off for his own successful career (QRO live review), and followed up Slave with 2014’s Lost In the Dream (QRO mp3 review), and last year’s acclaimed A Deeper Understanding (One of QRO’s Top Albums of 2017), which won the Grammy for Best Rock Album.
(Sandy) Alex G, 18:45 – 19:30 When he’s not playing guitar for Frank Ocean, Alexander Giannascoli both shorts & lengthens his name as (Sandy) Alex G (QRO photos at a festival), and returns for his second Primavera Sound in three years.
Primavera with Apple Music Stage Nils Frahm, 01:45 – 02:45 Marrying classical and electronic music expertly is Germany’s Nils Frahm (QRO photos), with everything from Moog to grand piano. Kind of perfect fit for Primavera Sound.
Fever Ray, 23:35 – 00:35 Sweden’s Karin Elisabeth Dreijer is both one-half of the acclaimed Knife with her brother Olof, but also has made her own solo name as Fever Ray. She has a particularly highly regarded stage show, including masks, face & body paint, costumes, video, and more.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra, 21:35 – 22:35 From Portland (QRO photos in Portland), but also New Zealand, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (QRO live review) impressed a lot of ears with their self-titled debut (QRO review) and 2015’s Multi Love, both of which managed to be avant while also still rockin’ (QRO photos at a festival).
Sparks, 19:25 – 20:30 Long before hipsters these days dropped their guitars for keyboards, brothers Ron and Russell Mael shifted Sparks from rock to electronics way back in the seventies, in collaboration with Giorgio Moroder. Since then, Sparks have created their own musical universe – or universes, inspiring everyone from Kurt Cobain to ABBA, Björk to Paul McCartney. And while recent years have seen them finally getting some the commercial credit that they’re due, including teaming up with Franz Ferdinand as FFS (QRO photos with Franz Ferdinand), they continue to “steer clear of pop conventions.” Also: Vagabon, 17:40 – 18:25
Ray-Ban Stage DJ Koze, 04:00 – 05:30 From out of the Hamburg electronic club scene comes Stefan Kozalla, a.k.a. DJ Koze, who comes to Barcelona behind this year’s Knock Knock.
Four Tet, 02:50 – 3:50 U.K. post-rock electronic musician Kieran Hebden, also who’s remixed everyone from Andrew Bird to Radiohead, tours once more as Four Tet (QRO photos outdoors), on the back of last year’s New Energy, and returns to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Optimus Primavera Sound ’13) to play twice (see below).
Vince Staples, 00:40 – 01:40 Primavera Sound got a choice lyricist in Vince Staples (QRO photos at a festival). The Long Beach native first came up with others, such as in the group Cutthroat Boyz and in association with Odd Future (QRO live review), but has since made a name all his own (QRO photos at a festival). He plays his second Primavera Sound in three years.
C. Tangana, 22:45 – 23:35 Urban Spanish musician C. Tangana is the rare artist to play his third Primavera Sound in a row.
Kelela, 20:35 – 21:25 Kelela’s 2013 mixtape, Cut 4 Me, has earned praise from Beyoncé to Björk. Last year she finally came out with full-length debut Take Me Apart, and now returns to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival).
Ezra Furman, 18:30 – 19:20 Main man behind Chicago folk-rock outfit Ezra Furman & The Harpoons (QRO photos at a festival), Mr. Furman comes to Primavera Sound solo (QRO photos at a festival). Also: Nat Simons, 17:00 – 17:35
Pitchfork Stage Ross From Friends, 04:10 – 04:50 Bad Gyal, 02:15 – 03:15 Catch the dancehall gyrations of Barcelona’s own Bad Gyal (QRO photos from a festival).
Sylvan Esso, 00:25 – 01:15 Durham, North Carolina indie-pop duo Sylvan Esso (QRO photos outdoors) have moved up very fast (QRO photos at a festival) since the release in 2014 of their eponymous debut full-length, with well-titled follow-up What Now (QRO review) out last fall. Never stop starting!
Rostam, 22:35 – 23:25 While he first became known as part of the hugely successful Vampire Weekend (QRO live review with Rostam), Rostam Batmanglij (QRO photos at a festival) also began making his own name with others, such as with Wes Miles (QRO interview) of Ra Ra Riot as Discovery (QRO album review), and I Had a Dream That You Were Mine with Hamilton Leithauser (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘17). Most recently he released his fully-solo Half Light last year.
Mavi Phoenix, 20:55 – 21:40 Austrian-Syrian Mavi Phoenix had one the most viral songs of last year, “Aventura”, but brings much more to Primavera Sound, which she plays twice (see above).
The Twilight Sad, 19:15 – 20:00 Another less-than-cheery band to return to Primavera, this four-piece from Glasgow plays a dark, moody, but also restrained and powerful, post-rock (QRO live review). But the sad summer break tones of albums No One Can Ever Know (QRO review), Forget the Night Ahead (QRO review), and Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters (QRO review) is sure to reach fans even on the sunny shores of the Mediterranean (QRO photos outdoors at a festival).
Also: The Zephyr Bones, 17:40 – 18:20
Adidas Originals Stage Here Lies Man, 03:20 – 04:05 Zeal & Ardor, 01:20 – 02:10 Oso Leone, 23:30 – 00:20 Anna Von Hausswolff, 21:45 – 22:30 – QRO photos at a festival Za!, 20:05 – 20:50 – QRO photos at a Barcelona festival Yonaka, 18:25 – 19:10 F/E/A, 17:00 – 17:35
Auditori Rockdelux Stage Echo Collective, 20:50 – 22:00 Art Ensemble of Chicago, 19:00 – 20:00 Capullo de Jerez, 17:30 – 18:30 Delorean, 16:00 – 17:00 – QRO photos
Night Pro Stage Populous, 02:00 – 02:40 Client Liason, 01:00 – 01:40 Coals, 00:00 – 00:40 Amaya Laucirica, 23:00 – 23:40 Didirri, 22:00 – 22:40 Trupa Trupa, 21:00 – 21:40 Any Other, 20:00 – 20:40 Kurws, 19:00 – 19:40 O’O, 18:00 – 18:40
The Warehouse Stage Radioactive Man, 04:00 – 05:00 Mariel Ito, 03:30 – 04:00 Danny Daze, 01:00 – 02:30 Egyptian Lover, 00:00 – 01:00 Carl Finlow, 23:00 – 00:00 Morphology, 22:00 – 23:00
Bacardi Live Stage Carpenter Brut, 03:55 – 04:55 Little is known about electronic music artist Carpenter Brut, aside from his real name, Franck Hueso, and French origin – which is very French of him.
Floating Points, 02:25 – 03:25 Electronic musician & neuroscientist Sam Shepard plays twice at Primavera Sound (see below) as Floating Points, returning for the second time in three years.
Mount Kimbie, 00:55 – 01:55 Close friends to post-dubstep big-name James Blake, Mount Kimbie (QRO photos at a festival), bring a lighter electronica, and come to Primavera Sound behind last year’s Love What Survives.
Also: Jlin, 23:25 – 00:25 James Holden & The Animal Spirits, 22:00 – 23:00 Genius of Time, 20:35 – 21:35 Karen Gwyer, 19:25 – 20:10 Nightcrawler, 18:30 – 19:15
Desperados Club Stage Marcel Dettmann, 04:00 – 05:00 One of the most influential proponents of contemporary techno, Berlin’s Marcel Dettmann comes to Primavera Sound.
Also: Mano Le Tough, 02:30 – 04:00 Levon Vincent, 01:00 – 02:30 Mall Grab, 23:30 – 01:00 Call Super, 22:00 – 23:30 Shanti Celeste, 20:30 – 22:00 DJ Seinfeld, 19:00 – 20:30 Pépe, 18:00 – 19:00
Day Pro Confidence Man, 17:40 – 18:10 Client Liason, 16:50 – 17:20 Alex the Astronaut, 16:00 – 16:30 Teischa, 15:10 – 15:40 Didirri, 14:20 – 14:50 Amaya Laucirica, 13:30 – 14:00 Durga, 12:40 – 13:10 Wandl, 11:50 – 12:20 Cari Cari, 11:00 – 11:30
Heineken Hidden Stage TBA, 20:35 – 21:30 Lee Fields & The Expressions, 18:30 – 19:20 Known for their soulful and R&B styled vignettes, Lee Fields & The Expressions is the collective from Brooklyn, NY (QRO photos outdoors in Brooklyn). Drawing inspirations from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, and James Brown (QRO photos at James Brown celebration), it’s as if taking a trip down memory lane to the Motown Era. They have toured across the world so make sure to catch them at Primavera Sound (QRO photos in California).
Xiringuito Aperol Four Tet / Daphni / Champion / Josey Rebelle, 12:00 – 18:00
Radio Primavera Sound Stage Karrera Klub DJs, 03:15 – 05:15 Jonathan Villicaña, 01:30 – 03:15

FRIDAY, JUNE 1st

Forum Stage Tyler, the Creator, 01:30 – 02:30 Primavera Sound flirts with awesomeness and danger by booking the infamous Tyler, the Creator for a second time. In addition to fronting the ultra-chaotic Odd Future (QRO live review) collective, he’s released two solo studio albums of his own, 2012’s Goblin (QRO review) and 2015’s Wolf (QRO review), and will return to Spain behind last year’s Flower Boy.
Migos, 23:00 – 00:00 Quarvo, Takeoff and Offset together form hip-hop supergroup Migos. Last year they dropped Culture and chart-topping hit “Bad and Boujee” – following that up earlier this year with another chart-topper, Culture II, and single with none other than Drake, “Walk It Talk It”.
Father John Misty, 20:20 – 21:20 While a member of overrated folk outfit Fleet Foxes, guitarist Joshua Tillman found time to do his own solo stuff (QRO album review), but in 2012 he moved to solo full-time as Father John Misty (QRO photos) with Fear Fun, and he comes to Project Pabst Portland (QRO photos at a festival) behind last year’s Pure Comedy (QRO review). As Aziz Ansari said in Master of None, “That’s a hot ticket!” Also: La Bien Querida, 18:15 – 19:00
Mango Stage HAIM, 00:15 – 01:15 Sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim, along with drummer Dash Hutton (QRO photos at a festival), only started putting out music in 2013, but have already been turning heads (QRO photos), thanks to great single “Don’t Save Me” and debut full-length, Days Are Gone (QRO review). They come back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘14) after the release of last year’s follow-up Something To Tell You (QRO review) and getting numerous high-profile fans – and even playing the legendary after-party for the Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary with Prince!
The National, 21:30 – 22:45 Cincinnati-by-way-of-Brooklyn’s The National (QRO photos outdoors) hit it big in 2007 with Boxer (QRO review) and tracks like “Fake Empire”, “Mistaken For Strangers”, and “Apartment Story” (QRO video) – and again in 2008 with the Virginia EP (QRO review), but that just presaged 2011’s High Violet (QRO review), which debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts (QRO expanded edition review). An impressive and much-in-demand act (QRO live review), they’re fitting in nicely as even festival headliner (QRO photos headlining a festival) or curator (QRO photos curating a festival), like at London’s All Tomorrow’s Parties (QRO photos), Eaux Claires (QRO photos at Eaux Claires ‘15), or Boston Calling (QRO photos at Boston Calling ‘14). Blown up to the point that New York Times Magazine ran a feature on them (QRO spotlight on) & Obama used (a family-friendly) bit of “Mr. November” (QRO video at a festival) as a campaign song, The National (QRO photos at a festival) returned from an hiatus in 2013 to take North America by storm (QRO photos headlining a festival) behind Trouble Will Find Me (QRO review), after having done so in Europe (QRO photos in Europe), the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival), the European festival circuit (QRO photos at a European festival), Canada (QRO photos at a festival in Canada), Croatia (QRO photos at a Croatian festival), Singapore (QRO photos in Singapore) & their own Brooklyn (QRO photos in Brooklyn), plus both Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘11) and Portugal’s NOS Primavera Sound (QRO photos at NOS Primavera Sound ’14). They’ve since keep it going (QRO photos in 2014), including headlining American festivals (QRO photos headlining an American festival). Last year, The National (QRO live review) released yet another amazing album, Sleep Well Beast (QRO review), which earlier this year won the Grammy for Alternative Album of the Year (QRO live review at Grammy party). A perfect act for Primavera Sound (QRO photos at headlining a festival).
The Breeders, 19:10 – 20:10 Back in the early nineties alt-boom, Kim Deal left Boston’s acclaimed Pixies to form her own band with her sister Kelley, The Breeders, and they had one of the biggest hits of the era with the classic Last Splash (QRO live review performing Last Splash). However, after that the band sputtered to a delayed disappointment record Title TK a decade later. But this is the twenty-first century, and everything is coming back. First Deal and Pixies frontman Black Francis buried the hatchet and reunited the old band, while Kim & Kelley reteamed up (QRO live review) to make Mountain Battles (QRO review) – which unfortunately was no Last Splash. So Kim left the Pixies (again), recruited the entire old Splash crew and played the record on tour (QRO photos of them performing Last Splash at a festival), including Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’13). 2018 (QRO photos in 2018) has seen the old band release the new All Nerve (QRO review) – and it’s yet another disappointment. But hey, Last Splash still sounds great live (QRO photos of them performing it at yet another festival)…
Primavera with Apple Music Stage Ty Segall & The Freedom Band, 01:50 – 02:50 California’s Ty Segall (QRO photos at a festival) has evolved from his ‘kick in the pants’ early work to a more effortless boot to the fanny these days (QRO photos), where he’s been quite prolific, including 2012’s Slaughterhouse (QRO review), plus 2013’s Sleeper, 2014’s Manipulator, last year’s Emotional Mugger with his new band, The Muggers, and last year’s self-titled album (QRO review), not to mention solo albums & team-ups (and doing the theme song for Comedy Central’s post-Daily Show The Opposition with Jordan Klepper). He’s a big Primavera favorite, returning for his umpteenth edition (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’16 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’14 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’11).
Charlotte Gainsbourg, 23:30 – 00:30 Daughter of acclaimed musicians Jane Birkin & the late Serge Gainsbourg (QRO photos of Birkin playing Serge Gainsbourg tribute), Charlotte Gainsbourg has fashioned her own name (QRO photos), not just in music (QRO album review) but also film, often working with Lars von Trier. She comes to Primavera Sound behind last year’s Rest. Oh, and her mother is also playing Primavera Sound (see below)!
Mogwai, 21:20 – 22:30 There are a few icons in post-rock, such as Explosions In the Sky (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘16) and Mogwai. The Scottish outfit has done everything from a live DVD, Burning (QRO photos at a festival) to soundtracking Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (QRO review – though that was before the French football star did his illegal head-butt in the World Cup). 2011 awesomely titled Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (QRO review) was a major comeback after the disappointing The Hawk Is Howling (QRO review), and though 2014’s Rave Tapes (QRO review) seemed overdone, last year’s Every Country’s Sun was great. They’re a much in-demand tour (QRO live review) that comes back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’14 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘11).
Also: Metá Metá, 19:30 – 20:20 Waxahatchee, 17:40 – 18:25 – QRO photos
Ray-Ban Stage The Black Madonna, 04:00 – 05:30 – QRO photos Confidence Man, 02:55 – 03:50 Cigarettes After Sex, 00:40 – 01:40 Thundercat, 22:35 – 23:25 – QRO photos at a festival Rhye, 20:25 – 21:10 – QRO photos at a festival Oumou Sangaré, 18:30 – 19:25 El Último Vecino, 17:00 – 17:35
Pitchfork Stage DJ Python, 04:00 – 04:45 Arca, 02:15 – 03:15 Venezuela’s Alejandro Ghersi, a.k.a. Arca, has produced for the likes of Kanye West and Primavera Sound 2018’s Björk (see above).
The Internet, 00:20 – 01:20 Syd tha Kyd and Matt Martians of acclaimed hip-hop collective Odd Future (QRO live review) have their own gig, fronting neo-soul outfit The Internet (QRO photos outdoors), and they come to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival).
Ibeyi, 22:40 – 23:25 Twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz started Ibeyi in France, but they have Cuban & Venezuelan roots, and sing in English, French, Spanish, and Yoruba, the language of their Nigerian ancestors. A worldly act perfectly fit for Primavera Sound.
Sevdaliza, 21:00 – 21:45 Iranian-Dutch singer Sevda Alizadeh comes to Primavera Sound as Sevdaliza, behind last year’s debut full-length, ISON.
John Maus, 19:15 – 20:00 While also a keyboard player for Panda Bear and Ariel Pink (see both below), John Maus has become best known for his uninhibited solo shows (QRO photos outdoors). Also: Marion Harper, 17:40 – 18:20
Adidas Originals Stage Omni, 03:20 – 04:00 Idles, 01:25 – 02:10 La Banda Trapera Del Rio, 23:30 – 00:15 Shellac, 21:50 – 22:35 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘11 Yellow Days, 20:10 – 20:55 Cesare Basile, 18:25 – 19:10 Doblecapa, 17:00 – 17:35
Night Pro Stage Dope Calypso, 03:00 – 04:00 Napoleon Gold, 02:00 – 02:40 Wandl, 01:00 – 01:40 Teischa, 00:00 – 00:40 The Solutions, 23:00 – 23:40 3rd Line Butterfly, 21:00 – 21:40 Cari Cari, 20:00 – 20:40 Alex the Astronaut, 19:00 – 19:40
The Warehouse Stage ATEQ, 04:00 – 05:00 DJ Dustin b2b Konstantin, 02:00 – 04:00 Edward, 01:00 – 02:00 Molly, 00:00 – 01:00 Leafar Legov, 23:00 – 00:00 Elli, 22:00 – 23:00 Liminal Soundbath, 19:30 – 21:00
Bacardi Live Stage Ame II Ame, 03:55 – 05:30 Chromeo, 02:35 – 03:35 There are combos and then there are combos: Montreal’s Chromeo (QRO live review) are the electro-funk duo of Dave 1 (David Macklovitch) and P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) has been best friends since childhood (QRO live review), billing themselves as, “The only successful Arab/Jewish collaboration since the beginning of time” (but what is their stance on Québécois independence?…). And their electronica works outdoors (QRO photos outdoors), day or night (QRO live review), even at a festival (QRO photos at a festival). They come back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) with their great show (QRO live review), off of the release of 2014’s White Women (QRO review).
Panda Bear, 01:15 – 02:15 One of the founding members of Baltimore’s ultra-relevant experimental electronic outfit Animal Collective (QRO live review), Noah Lennox – a.k.a. Panda Bear (QRO photos at a festival) – broke out of the zoo and is now on his own (QRO photos at a festival), with 2011’s Tomboy (QRO review), the follow-up to 2007’s Person Pitch (QRO review). He returns to Primavera Sound after contributing to Daft Punk’s Grammy-winning hit Random Access Memories (QRO review), playing off his 2015 Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper.
Mike D, 00:00 – 01:00 If you’re gonna watch a DJ set, who better to watch spin records than the one-and-only Mike D? Yes, that Mike D, one-third of the ultra-important Beastie Boys. Fellow Boy MCA’s lamented death in 2012 saw D & Ad-Rock put their iconic group to rest, but they have not been, and Mike D comes to spin at Primavera Sound (QRO photos DJing at a festival).
Also: Jorja Smith, 22:50 – 23:50 Superorganism, 21:50 – 22:30 Knox Fortune, 20:25 – 21:25 Essaie Pas, 19:15 – 20:10 – QRO photos Playback Maracas, 18:30 – 19:15
Desperados Club Stage Hunee b2b Antal, 04:00 – 05:30 Gerd Janson, 02:30 – 04:00 Honey Dijon, 01:00 – 02:30 Daphni, 23:30 – 01:00 Dekmantel Soundsystem, 22:00 – 23:30 Peggy Gou, 20:30 – 22:00 Seth Troxler, 19:00 – 20:30 DJ Wey, 18:00 – 19:00
Day Pro Le Boom, 17:40 – 18:10 Fontaines D.C., 16:50 – 17:20 Roe, 16:00 – 16:30 Paddy Hanna, 15:10 – 15:40 Ailbhe Reddy, 14:20 – 14:50 Napoleon Gold, 13:30 – 14:00 Rubio, 12:40 – 13:10 Como Asesinar A, 11:50 – 12:20 Ninos Del Cerro, 11:00 – 11:30
Xiringuito Aperol Floating Points, 12:00 – 18:00 Electronic musician & neuroscientist Sam Shepard plays twice at Primavera Sound (see above) as Floating Points, returning for the second time in three years, here doing a six hour DJ set.
Auditori de Barcelona Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein, 14:00 – 15:00 Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein, a.k.a. Austin synthwave outfit S U R V I V E (QRO photos at a festival), recently found big success with their soundtrack for Netflix’s Stranger Things (and came back for Season Two), so catch them in the Upside-Down of Primavera Sound.
Radio Primavera Sound Stage Migui Puig, 03:15 – 05:15 Jon Hillcock, 01:30 – 03:15
Heineken Hidden Stage TBA, 22:35 – 23:25 Josh T. Pearson, 18:30 – 19:25 Though he started as part of the short-lived, well-loved Lift to Experience, alt-country artist Josh T. Pearson has since forged his own path.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2nd

Seat Stage A$AP Rocky, 01:40 – 02:45 Primavera Sound has always had the beats & rhymes, such as this year with the return of A$AP Rocky (QRO photos at a festival), of the acclaimed A$AP Mob – so expect shouts for schwag (QRO photos at a festival) as he returns to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) to play off this year’s Testing.
Lorde, 22:25 – 23:40 It’s been fast and furious, the success of Lorde (QRO live review). The New Zealand songstress (QRO photos) is barely out of her teens, but blew up in a huge way in 2013 behind Grammy-winning single “Royals” and Pure Heroine, to should-be-headlining festival status (QRO photos at a 2014 festival). She’s become such a megastar that her actually being Randy Marsh was a season-song story line on South Park (“I am Lorde, yah-yah-yah…”). She comes to Primavera Sound behind her strong, much anticipated follow-up, Melodrama (QRO review).
Jane Birkin, 19:50 – 21:05 Famed Anglo-French actress & musician Jane Birkin is best known in musical circles for her work with her late husband Serge Gainsbourg (and more recently being mother to acclaimed-in-her-own-right singer-actress Charlotte Gainsbourg – QRO album review). More recently, she has retired from acting, but not music, bringing her tribute to Serge Gainsbourg to Primavera Sound (QRO photos of Birkin at Serge Gainsbourg tribute). Oh, and her daughter plays Primavera Sound as well (see above)!
Christina Rosenvinge, 18:00 – 18:45 Spain’s own singer Christina Rosenvinge comes back to Primavera Sound.
Mango Stage Arctic Monkeys, 23:50 – 01:30 If you’re unfamiliar with the Sheffield-native English rockers, you obviously were not paying much attention in 2006 when their much ballyhoo-ed debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am Not was being pumped out of every speaker and headphone either side of the Atlantic & more (QRO live review in Australia), thanks to an energetic MySpace fan base. Fast-forward eight years. MySpace is a shell of its former self, but the Arctic Monkeys (QRO photos at a festival) have put out four more studio albums, 2007’s Favorite Worst Nightmare (QRO review), 2009’s Humbug (QRO review), 2011’s Suck It and See (QRO review), and 2013’s American breakthrough AM, and with a new media storm around them (QRO photos). They come to play Primavera Sound (QRO photos headlining a festival) just after the release of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.
Lykke Li, 21:15 – 22:15 In the wake of Peter Bjorn and John’s (QRO spotlight on) “Young Folks” success, the music industry was on the look out for the next Swedish sensation – preferably a comely lass from Scandinavia. And at CMJ ‘08 (QRO recap), she was found in Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson, or Lykke Li (QRO photos) and her debut, Wounded Rhymes (QRO review). Since then, she’s gone on to outshine (QRO photos) almost every Swede since ABBA, with follow-ups Youth Novels (QRO review), 2014’s I Never Learn (QRO review) – and So Sad So Sexy out right after Primavera Sound.
Car Seat Headrest, 18:55 – 19:40 After a series of solo, self-released Bandcamp records (named literally 1, 2, 3, 4 and more), Will Toledo’s Car Seat Headrest (QRO photos at a festival) graduated to a full band & Matador signing for 2015’s Teens of Style and 2016’s Teens of Denial. They return to Primavera Sound for the second time in three years.
Primavera with Apple Music Stage Beach House, 01:55 – 03:05 The guitar-and-keys pair of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally (QRO photos at a festival) may hail from Baltimore, but there’s a Francophile expanse to Beach House (QRO photos). 2008’s Devotion (QRO review) earned them many fans that felt that way (QRO live review), and 2010’s Teen Dream (QRO review) was shortlisted for ‘albums of the year’. In 2012 they came out with Bloom (QRO review), and they’ve since been working the festivals, coming to Sound On Sound (QRO photos at a festival). And the sweet sounds work in the bright sunlight (QRO photos outdoors) or the dark of the evening (QRO photos at a festival). And in 2015 the band (QRO photos) released not one, but two new full-lengths, Depression Cherry (QRO review) and Thank Your Lucky Stars (QRO review), following that up with a b-sides & rarities compilation last year, and the just out seventh record, 7. They return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’12).
Dead Cross, 23:40 – 00:40 Behold the hardcore punk supergroup Dead Cross, which includes everyone from Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo to Faith No More singer Mike Patton. They hit Primavera Sound on the back of last year’s self-titled debut full-length.
Slowdive, 21:30 – 22:30 Shoegaze was always at its biggest in Britain in acts like My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive (QRO photos at a festival), whose members spun off into various other projects in the nineties (including Mojave 3 – QRO photos), but started a reunion on 2014 (QRO photos at 2014 festival). It’s kept going on both sides of the Atlantic (QRO live review in the U.K.), including last year’s self-titled full-length (QRO review). They return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’14).
Also: Life To Experience, 19:20 – 20:20 Montero, 17:40 – 18:25
Ray-Ban Stage DJ Coco, 04:15 – 05:30 DJ Coco returns to Primavera Sound for an eighth year in a row, to once again close out the Ray-Ban Stage.
The Blaze, 03:10 – 04:05 French duo The Blaze brings the somber electronic pop of last year’s Territory to Primavera Sound.
Deerhunter, 00:50 – 01:50 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 – QRO live review), 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 in 2013 they followed it up with Monomania (QRO review), a more garage-rock record – and show (QRO photos at a festival), including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival). 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). They play their latest Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’16 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’13 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘11), after 2016’s Fading Frontier (QRO review).
Grizzly Bear, 22:35 – 23:35 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 (QRO photos headlining a festival). Yet mass appeal is what the group has gotten off of records Shields, Veckatimest, and last year’s Painted Ruins (QRO review), as their sonic beauty transcends (QRO photos). They’ve even played Colbert Report’s ‘ColbChella’ (QRO photos at ColbChella ‘012), which is surely a highlight in any act’s career (QRO photos at a festival). They return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’13).
Ariel Pink, 20:25 – 21:25 Ariel Marcus Rosenberg, or ‘Ariel Pink’ (QRO live review), helped start chillwave just recording in his bedroom, but has since recruited a band (QRO live review) and ventured out & onto the stage, with 2010’s Before Today (QRO review), 2012’s Mature Themes (QRO review), 2014’s pom pom (QRO review), and last year’s Dedicated to Bobby Jameson, and has kept it up live (QRO live review), playing twice at Primavera Sound ’18 (see below).
Also: Peter Perrett, 18:30 – 19:15 Nuria Graham, 17:00 – 17:35
Pitchfork Stage Lindstrøm, 04:10 – 04:55 Norwegian producer Hans-Peter Lindstrøm started his own genre, ‘Space disco’, with a series of twelve-inches. He comes to Primavera Sound behind last year’s It’s Alright Between Us As It Is.
Public Service Broadcasting, 02:30 – 03:15 Not the BBC or PBS, Public Service Broadcasting (QRO live review) use samples from old public information films & propaganda material to, “Teach the lessons of the past through the music of the future.”
Abra, 00:45 – 01:30 From a family of missionaries, Abra moved from the heathen land of London to Atlanta at a young age, and now brings her alternative freestyle to Barcelona.
Jay Som, 22:45 – 23:30 Of course the Pitchfork Stage would welcome a Pitchfork favorite like Jay Som (QRO photos at a festival), who have all sorts of indie-buzz (QRO live review). Indeed, they play the festival twice (see below).
Also: Tom Misch, 21:00 – 21:45 Rex Orange County, 19:15 – 20:00 – QRO photos Damed Squad, 17:40 – 18:20
Adidas Originals Stage Mujeres, 03:20 – 04:05 Local Barcelona band Mujeres plays Primavera for their umpteenth time.
Also: Sumac, 01:35 – 02:25 Oblivians, 23:40 – 00:40 Watain, 21:55 – 22:40 Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, 20:10 – 20:55 Nick Hakim, 18:25 – 19:10 Vulk, 17:00 – 17:35
Night Pro Stage Bye Beneco, 02:00 – 02:40 Rubio, 01:00 – 01:40 Ninos Del Cerro, 00:00 – 00:40 Como Asesinar a Felipes, 23:00 – 23:40 Ikati Esengxoweni, 22:00 – 22:40 Guano Padano, 21:00 – 21:40 The Fur., 20:00 – 20:40 Outlet Drift, 19:00 – 19:40
The Warehouse Stage Evian Christ, 03:30 – 05:00 Producer Evian Christ returns to Primavera Sound after working with the likes of Kanye West & Danny Brown.
Also: ADR, 02:40 – 03:30 Nkisi, 02:00 – 02:40 Yves Tumor, 01:30 – 02:00 Lyzza, 00:15 – 01:30 Gaika, 23:30 – 00:15 Tutu, 22:30 – 23:30 Kelly Moran, 22:00 – 23:00 Liminal Soundbath, 19:30 – 21:00
Bacardi Live Stage Vril, 04:45 – 05:45 Aleksi Perala, 03:40 – 04:25 Jon Hopkins, 01:30 – 02:30 – QRO photos Oneohtrix Point Never, 00:10 – 01:10 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘11 Claro Intelecto, 22:50 – 23:50 Majid Jordan, 21:30 – 22:30 The Kite Strangle Tangle, 20:35 – 21:20 Gabriel Garzon-Montano, 19:30 – 20:15 Ramzi, 18:30 – 19:15
Desperados Club Stage Donato Dozzy, 04:00 – 05:00 John Talabot, 02:00 – 04:00 Bufiman b2b DJ Normal 4, 00:30 – 02:00 Tolous Low Trax, 23:30 – 00:30 Solar, 21:50 – 23:30 Eva Geist, 21:00 – 21:50 Orpheu the Wizard, 19:30 – 21:00 Alicia Carrera, 18:00 – 19:30
Day Pro Dope Calypso, 16:50 – 17:20 The Vibrowaves, 16:00 – 16:30 In the Endless Zanhyang We Are, 15:10 – 15:40 The Solutions, 14:20 – 14:50 3rd Line Butterfly, 13:30 – 14:00
Auditori de Barcelona Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein, 14:00 – 15:00 Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein, a.k.a. Austin synthwave outfit S U R V I V E (QRO photos at a festival), recently found big success with their soundtrack for Netflix’s Stranger Things (and came back for Season Two), so catch them in the Upside-Down of Primavera Sound.
Xiringuito Aperol Dekmantel / Palms Trax / Dekmantel Soundsystem / Orpheu the Wizard, 12:00 – 18:00
Heineken Hidden Stage Belly, 20:25 – 21:25 One of the key bands in the late eighties/early nineties indie-rock boom in Boston, Rhode Island’s Belly had one of the nineties classic alt-hits, “Feed the Tree”, before breaking up. But they reunited recently, with this year’s reunion record Dove just out. Also: Let’s Eat Grandma, 18:30 – 19:15
Radio Primavera Sound Stage Carlo Pastore, 03:15 – 05:15 Indiespot DJ, 01:30 – 03:15

SUNDAY, JUNE 3rd

Apolo Venue Dave P, 03:00 – 05:00 Flat Worms, 02:00 – 02:45 Ariel Pink, 00:45 – 01:45 – QRO live review Kero Kero Bonito, 23:30 – 00:15 North State, 22:30 – 23:10
La [2] de Apolo Rory Phillips, 03:00 – 05:00 Joe Goddard, 01:45 – 02:45 Mattiel, 00:30 – 01:30 Texxcoco, 23:00 – 23:40
Barcelona Fermin Muguruza Eta The Suicide of Western Culture, 21:00 – 22:00 Spanish Electronic Act Suicide of Western Culture comes to back Primavera Sound, this time with Basque singer/songwriter Fermin Muguruza.
Oblivians, 20:00 – 20:45 Bringing some dirty garage-punk to Primavera Sound are the Oblivians, on their umpteenth reunion, playing the festival twice (see below).
Rhye, 18:35 – 19:20 Canada’s Mike Milosh brings his down-tempo alternative R&B to Barcelona as Rhye (QRO photos at a festival).
Waxahatchee, 17:10 – 17:55 Katie Crutchfield’s acclaimed indie-folk project Waxahatchee (QRO photos) comes to Primavera Sound off the back of last year’s fourth record, Out In the Storm, playing the festival twice (see above).
Also: Tigercats, 16:00 – 16:40 Olympic Flame, 15:00 – 15:30 The Crab Apples, 14:00 – 14:30
Sala Teatre Jay Som, 19:20 – 20:00 Of course the Pitchfork Stage would welcome a Pitchfork favorite like Jay Som (QRO photos at a festival), who have all sorts of indie-buzz (QRO live review). Indeed, they play the festival twice (see above).
Also: Montero, 17:55 – 18:35 Puput, 16:40 – 17:10 Marina Herlop, 15:30 – 16:00 Intana, 14:30 – 15:00 Xavier Calvet, 13:30 – 14:00
Day Pro Bye Beneco, 17:40 – 18:10 Ikati Esengxoweni, 16:30 – 17:00 The Fur., 15:30 – 16:00 Outlet Drift, 14:30 – 15:00

For festival website, go here: https://www.primaverasound.es/index